Explore Chilean Patagonia and the glaciers - under sail from Valdivia, Chile

Details

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  Description

  UPDATE (February 2026) :
  We have now found our crew for our journey through Chilean Patagonia.
  However, if you're interested in sailing with us at some other time, for some other journey in the future, you can drop us a line.
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  The vessel is a 50ft steel ketch. (See below for further details.)
  
  Anyone wishing to join us needs to understand that a sailing boat is not a train. We don't sail to a timetable. If the wind doesn't blow, the boat doesn't go; and, likewise, if the winds blows too hard, we stay in harbour. Once we have set off, there will be very few opportunities for leaving or joining the boat. We will not be able to commit ourselves to being in a certain place at a certain time. That's not how sailing works!
  
  BACKGROUND INFORMATION :
  We're a family who have all been born and bred around sailing boats. For the past 30 years we've been slowly travelling the world under sail aboard our home-built ketch - and when I say slowly, I mean VERY slowly. We zig-zag to and fro; we loop back on ourselves. We're not actually trying to get anywhere. It's all about the lifestyle.
  
  As a family, we have experience in calms and storms and, of course, in the tradewinds. We prefer remote anchorages, where we can have the world to ourselves. This might mean an azure lagoon at the heart of an atoll, or it might mean Point Nemo, in the depths of the South Pacific.
  We're happy sweltering in the tropics and we've also spent time amongst the ice floes and the glaciers of Patagonia. In fact, the captain has spent two seasons working in Antarctica on charter yachts and would like to head back down that way.
  
  Although we don't actually need any help in handling the boat, we certainly enjoy having other people aboard. We're not particularly interested in giving rides to people who just want to get from A to B. We have been known to do just that, but we're happier hosting people who are eager to learn about the cruising lifestyle. We also welcome scientists who want to use the vessel as a base for marine research (eg. plankton netting, listening to whales, etc).
  
  One of the drawbacks of this lifestyle is that it's financially difficult. We have to find ways to scrape by.
  The only other major hindrance is the amount of work entailed in keeping the boat in good shape. Our home is made from steel, and that's good news when there are uncharted rocks or when the bergy-bit is a bit bigger than it seemed, but it also means that there's always plenty of rust to be cleaned away and metal to be repainted. While in harbour, we're also eager to hear from people who are skilled welders or carpenters.
  
  We have space for two single travellers. Priority will go to those who have helped prepare her for the voyage.
  Crew need to provide their own warm weather / wet-weather gear.
  We provide safety harnesses and lifejackets.
  
  All meals aboard the boat are vegetarian.
  WE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE SMOKERS. Smoking is not permitted aboard the boat, either below or on deck.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  DIY and building projects

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Plant care

  

  History

  

  Art & design

  

  Gardening

  

  Writing

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  Water sports

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Hiking
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Travellers visiting us while we work on the boat will learn a lot about boat maintenance and about the ins and outs of the cruising lifestyle. We are always happy to share our knowledge of yacht design as it relates to seaworthiness, boat-speed, and so forth. Indeed, we're ready to answer your questions on any subject related to boats. Past volunteers have also been taught rowing, the use of various knots, line handling, points of sailing, collision regulations, etcetera.
  
  Everyone who sails with us does their own watch, after we've taught them how to steer and how to keep a good look-out for other vessels. Those who wish to can also learn more about how the boat sails and how to manage her and balance her in different winds. We're also happy to teach people how to navigate with the GPS and/or with a sextant.
  
  We also have a reasonably good knowledge of astronomy, of ocean meteorology, and of marine life (especially birds and cetaceans) which we're always happy to share.

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  Help

  The boat has just undergone an extensive refit, but there are always things aboard a boat which need to be done in order to keep her seaworthy.
  
  All crew help with the handling of the boat. We all take watches and take the helm (= steer). We all help to moor the boat. We all take turns at the cooking and the washing up.
  
  We are always particularly keen to hear from any young biologists who might want to grasp the opportunity to study the local wildlife.
  
  In the event that no biologists are available, we'll happily take along somebody else who is fit and enthusiastic, with a happy disposition and with a life-outlook which meshes well with our own. This is, in fact, more important than a biology degree, because when a group of people is trapped aboard a small, crowded 'island', compatibility is absolutely essential.
  
  So, what is our outlook?
  - We appreciate discussions about philosophy, about local wildlife, and about self-sufficient living and sustainable civilisation.
  - We are completely ignorant about football, pop-stars, films, TV, fashion, and card games (and we have no desire to improve upon this ignorance).
  - We like music, but we don't generally want 'canned music' blaring in the cabin. However, if you want to play the guitar on passage, that's another matter entirely!
  - When in harbour, we like to explore. In Patagonia this involves hiking up mountains, finding or making a path as we go.
  
  We're obsessed with the environment and with trying to protect it. To be honest, there doesn't seem to be much point in focusing on anything else these days, while eco-systems are collapsing and the climate is falling apart around us! In keeping with this philosophy, we do our best to live clean, green lives, leaving only bubbles in our wake. Our electricity comes from the wind and the sun. Our food is vegetarian, and we try to buy local stuff.
  
  Most important of all, so far as any would-be companions are concerned, is the fact that we use the engine as little as possible. If it takes us all day to beat five miles up a channel, making 24 tacks, then that's what we'll do. And we'll do it even if it's freezing cold and pouring with rain - because, to us, there doesn't seem to be much choice in the matter. If we want the planet to remain inhabitable, we mustn't use the engine unless we have to. If this sounds tiresome to you, then please don't apply to join us!
  
  Based on previous experience of inviting guests into our floating home, we tend to prioritise applications from people aged over 25 - which is to say, we prefer to sail with people who are mature enough to clear up after themselves and to keep the place tidy without having to be asked. Our home is not a hostel.
  
  The sailing life is unpredictable, largely because the weather is unpredictable. We might be becalmed for a week, or we might be storm-bound for a fortnight. Or we might break something important and have to spend time in tucked up in some remote 'caleta', mending it. As a result, a journey of this sort does not suit the type of traveller who has mapped out an exact itinerary. Specifically: expecting us to get from A to B in order for you to catch a plane is unrealistic! Deadlines put the captain under pressure and spoil the whole thing for everybody.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  Portuguese: Intermediate
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Our first language is English. We also speak mediocre French, and we can get by in Spanish and Portuguese.
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  Accommodation

  We have space for two guests in two small cabins in the for'ard (front) part of the boat.
  Please be aware that there is very little privacy on a small boat. There are, for example, no doors anywhere on the boat. (We don't have anything against doors; we just don't have space for them.)
  THERE IS NO SHOWER. We wash in the cockpit or ashore - or not at all. We have some charming photos of the skipper showering under a waterfall in the snow...
  Guests should understand that the boat is very seaworthy and safe but also very basic. It's definitely NOT a charter yacht.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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