SV Undertoad sailing in calm coastal waters at golden hour

Crew Wanted — Ages 18–30

Sailing the world on Undertoad

Trade your everyday scroll for actual ocean sunrises, trade winds in your hair, and stories that'll make your mates jealous for life. We're looking for up to 4 young crew on a slow, epic circumnavigation.

UK Departure Late August 2026 3, 6 or 12 months

This isn't a luxury cruise. Undertoad is a badass 17-metre eco-friendly hybrid electric yacht looking for up to 4 young crew members for a slow, epic circumnavigation around the world.

You're part of the crew, not a passenger. You'll handle night watches, fix things at sea, cook for the boat, run dive gear, and keep Undertoad shipshape — under my supervision.

Commit for 3, 6, or 12 months. Departing the UK late August 2026, heading south to Spain, across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, then on to Panama and the Pacific.

On deck

The story

Why I'm doing this

I grew up sailing dinghies, raced tall ships as a cadet, and later as watch leader and mate. I've crossed ocean waters on classic wooden sloops, bareboat-chartered in Australia, the Virgin Islands, and Greece, and spent nearly 20 years leading Scouts — from Beavers all the way to Explorer Scouts.

I've seen how sailing changes people. The confidence you gain when you handle a night watch, fix something at sea, or nail your first proper passage is next-level. I love watching young adults smash challenges, learn mad skills, and grow. (My old scouts still call me "Father Paul" with a grin.)

Solo sailing in retirement sounds peaceful — but honestly? It's tougher than I want. So I'm opening up spots for the next generation to live the dream with me.

About the boat

The boat you'll cross
oceans on

The Vessel

Built to last, refitted to lead

Undertoad is a Discovery 55 — a proven, ocean-capable bluewater yacht, selected for her strength, comfort, and offshore credentials. She's the kind of boat people cross oceans on; not a charter day-sailer.

Rather than commissioning a new build, she's undergone a comprehensive refit — extending the life of an existing vessel while dramatically reducing her environmental footprint.

Key Features

Clean technology at sea

Electric propulsion system by Oceanvolt
HVO-compatible generator
Extensive solar array for off-grid operation
Biocide-free silicone foul-release bottom coating
Quiet operation under power and sail
Accommodation for up to 8 people (crew + guests)

Certification

MCA Category 2

She's progressing toward MCA Category 2 coding (60 nm) — the formal certification used for commercial sail operations. Translation: she's been independently checked to professional standards, not just signed off by her owner.

Undertoad isn't an experiment — she's a working demonstration of what's possible when proven offshore design meets modern renewable tech.

55ft

Discovery Yacht

Crew Berths

60nm

MCA Cat 2

Eligibility

Who can join
and what to expect

Shorter Stints — 3 Months

You'll need some sailing experience

Age 18–30. For a 3-month leg you should have at least one overnight passage under your belt, and have sailed in winds over Force 4. Doesn't have to be racing — cruising or training counts.

You're crew, not a guest. You help run the boat under my supervision, keep a personal logbook (handy for future qualifications or a marine CV), and I'll happily write references for anyone who puts in the work.

Everyone — regardless of stint length — must complete an RYA Sea Survival course (or your country's equivalent) before stepping aboard. Deploying a life raft for the first time should never happen mid-ocean.

Longer Stints — 6 or 12 Months

Total newbies sometimes welcome

For 6- or 12-month commitments, we can sometimes take complete beginners — provided the rest of the crew is experienced enough to carry you while you learn. You will work, hard. The pay-off is the deepest sailing apprenticeship money can't easily buy.

Watches on passages run 3 hours on, 6 hours off, 24/7. Daily life is sailing, diving, fishing, cooking, filming, fixing, and exploring. If you're not a qualified diver yet, we'll get you certified at the first good dive centre — you'll be expected to go for it.

Passports stay with the ship's papers (standard maritime practice for crew). When you leave, we sort the official sign-off together in a safe port — no ghosting mid-ocean.

The Route

From the UK to
New Zealand, slowly

Late August 2026

Depart the UK

Kick-off from the UK and head south to Northern Spain. First open-ocean passages, your first proper night watches, and the start of life at sea.

Autumn 2026

Canaries & Cape Verde

Down the Atlantic island chain — Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and possibly a detour up the Gambia River before staging for the Atlantic crossing.

Winter 2026 — 2027

Atlantic Crossing & the Caribbean

Trade-wind crossing to the Caribbean. About a year cruising the islands — diving, fishing, exploring local cultures, and learning what it really means to live on a boat.

2028

Panama Canal & Refit

Transit the Panama Canal into the Pacific. Mid-voyage refit and resupply — the boat (and the crew) gets a tune-up before the long Pacific legs ahead.

2028 — 2029

Pacific to New Zealand

Sea of Cortez, Galápagos, Easter Island, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji — and a big refit in New Zealand. The far side of the world, by sail.

The Numbers

How much does it
actually cost?

Core Contribution

£1,000 per person, per month

Running a 17m yacht isn't cheap, and that's what the core monthly contribution covers — your share of what the boat actually costs to run. Not profit, not crew wages: operating costs.

Covered: all food, fuel, boat maintenance & repairs, mooring fees, dive tank fills, essential nights in port for provisions and fixes, checking in/out of countries, and inshore + limited offshore internet.

On Top

What's not covered

You'll sort these separately, before joining and during your stint:

Personal travel and health insurance · flights to join or fly home · dive course fees (if needed) · extra nights ashore for parties or festivals · sunscreen, toiletries, personal snacks, and spending money.

Spots are limited. Serious enquiries only — this is a real commitment, not a gap-year fantasy.

Where we'll sail

The world route

Apply to Crew

Drop us a message

If you're up for trading routine for real horizons, learning skills that actually matter, and collecting memories most people only dream about — get in touch.

Tell us why you want in and what experience you bring. The more concrete you can be about your sailing, the easier it is for me to slot you onto a leg that fits.

Spots are limited and going slowly on purpose. Serious enquiries only.

paul@hammersleyfamily.co.uk

Departure

United Kingdom, late August 2026

Current Status

Final refit underway

Completing coding and refit ahead of UK departure, late August 2026.

What to include

Your age and why you want to join
Sailing experience (overnights, wind conditions)
Length of stint — 3, 6 or 12 months
Any RYA, dive, or first-aid certificates