Touring - Crossing the Pond

For the last few months i have been searching without any luck to find a way of getting myself across the atlantic ocean without using fossil fuels, as is the basis of my trip. I have narrowed it down to hitching a ride across on a wind powered boat, but now comes the trouble of finding a wind powered boat that would be willing to take me. Can anyone point me in the right direction to find a boat? I will be ariving on the atlantic shore around August, give or take a few days. Any suggestions?

Steve

I'm sure they'll be willing to take you. Of course, you will have to pay for it, and it won't be cheap.

Your best bet will be to contact large yacht clubs at your source and destinations - they often have people advertising for crew. Ther are also lots of websites for this purpose
eg www.crewseekers.co.uk, www.yachtcrewregister.com

As mentioned this is likely to end up costing you quite a bit unless you have some sailing or other useful skills that will be of benefit. Another option is through a yacht delivery company, which won't cots you anything but they will also want some useful skills.

Finding a wind powered boat (would that be a sail boat) that was made without using any fossil fuels that is capable of an ocean crossing will be tough. Good luck with that. Are you riding a wooden bike too? Now that would be cool.

Finding a wind powered boat (would that be a sail boat) that was made without using any fossil fuels that is capable of an ocean crossing will be tough.

This is true.

My father's Erickson is just barely capable of comfortable ocean travel, but even it has a motor for when you are coming into port - this is particularly handy on rough days when you want to take the sails down and get into port unaided by wind. It is possible to sail into port, but it's not commonly done unless there's a problem with the motor or if the skipper wants to practice doing it. Perhaps you can persuade a cap'n to do that for you at the other end of your sea voyage, but (s)he will be reluctant to do so if you are sailing into certain types of basin dockworks.

Finding a boat that is crossing the Atlantic, that does not use fossil fuels at all, and needs crew and is willing to take your bike would be close to impossible.

The boat would have to be large enough to accommodate your bicycle easily. Crossing the Atlantic is no small task and I for one would not want to be tripping over a bicycle during rough weather.

A sailing vessel that is non fossil fuel power of that size would more than likely have professional crew. There is a chance they take volunteers but if you have no experience then you would have to pay. Some of the boats that take on crew charge experienced sailors for the pleasure of working.

I think you are dreaming. Buy a plane ticket, it will be a lot cheaper.


Or hook some pontoons to your bike and pedal across. :)

You could always try to rebuild the Kon-tiki and pull a Heyerdahl.

You could row across the atlantic ocean. People have done it before.

You could row across the atlantic ocean. People have done it before.

Actually, it is happening (http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk/daily_progress/positions_chart_all.php) right now.

well, the point is to use as little fossil fuels as possible...to promote alternate forms of transportation. of course it will take fossil fuels to make the boat, and no im not riding a wooden bike haha. Im just trying to transport myself without fossil fuels. I could always get a ride on a frieghter or something too i suppose, promote public transport haha. ya a freighter might work. thanks for the input

steve

www.7knots.com

Another alternative is to fly, but make up for all that greenhouse gas by planting a few trees. It is an idea a green bike tour group thought up and I rather like the concept. How would you describe that? Greening the skies?

If this is a big deal with lots of influential supporters, then you may be able to get a ride on a boat such as the one from the Costeau Society or perhaps a ride on a tall ship. A few may be making their way to the States for July 4 cebebrations on the Great Lakes and in NYC.