EP-170 Offshore Passages & Crewing Opportunities with Chris Blankenship

Welcome to the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States Podcast! In this episode, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman chat with longtime sailor Chris Blankenship, a passionate mariner based in New Jersey. Chris is a perfect guest for anyone looking to find new, creative ways to expand their sailing experiences and build expertise. Chris shares his extensive personal history on the water. He details his progression through different boats, starting with the beginner-friendly Catalina 22, moving up to a Catalina 27, a 34-foot Gemini catamaran, and his current vessel, a PDQ32 catamaran. He talks about the joys and challenges of cruising in his local New Jersey bay, a spot often skipped by those transiting the ICW. He also recounts the recent two-week delivery trip from Brunswick, Georgia, to New Jersey on his new PDQ32, explaining why they chose to stay on the Intracoastal Waterway due to his wife’s seasickness and concerns about the boat's new davits. The core of the conversation focuses on Chris’s incredible experiences as a crew member on numerous long passages and boat deliveries. He explains that he secures these opportunities, which often involve working with professional captains, through an organization called OPO (Offshore Passage Opportunities). OPO helps vet both the captains and the crew, which is vital for safety and matching skills. Chris gives a firsthand account of a major international delivery: flying to France to join a new catamaran and undertaking a multi-stage journey that included a 19-day Transatlantic crossing via the Canary Islands. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring blue water sailors. Chris’s story proves that you don't need to own your own large yacht to gain valuable offshore sailing experience. He offers practical advice and highlights the supportive nature of the sailing community. Keywords for Search: Sailing, Cruising, East Coast, New Jersey, Offshore Sailing, Boat Delivery, OPO, Offshore Passage Opportunities, Catalina 22, Catamaran, PDQ32, ICW, Intracoastal Waterway, Transatlantic, Crewing, Long Passages. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the like button and subscribe! Email: sailingtheeast@gmail.com Happy Sailing! Bela and Mike