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
Atlantic Crossing
The Caribbean
Panama Canal
Galápagos
French Polynesia
4 Crew Berths
Trade Winds
Hybrid Electric
Atlantic Crossing
The Caribbean
Panama Canal
Galápagos
French Polynesia
4 Crew Berths
Trade Winds
Hybrid Electric

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. We sail as a tight team of up to four, ideally two guys and two girls, sharing twin bunks or a double V-berth.

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.

Sailing rope coiled around a chrome cleat on deck On deck
Sailing at sunset on the open ocean 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)
Off-grid

Quiet and self-sufficient

An oversized battery bank, a large solar array, and electric propulsion let Undertoad run near-silent and largely off-grid — long stretches powered by sail and sun rather than fuel.

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
4
Crew Berths
Hybrid
Electric + solar
Eligibility

Who can join
and what to expect

Sailing yacht at sea with crew on deck
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.

Rope detail on deck
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 for the YouTube channel, 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.

Sailing yacht on the open ocean

The confidence you gain when you handle a night watch, fix something at sea, or nail your first proper passage is next-level. That's what I want to share.

— "Father" Paul, Skipper
The Route

From the UK to
New Zealand, slowly

01
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.

02
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.

03
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.

04
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.

05
2028 — 2029

Pacific to New Zealand

From Panama, up to the Sea of Cortez (Baja California), then Galápagos, Easter Island and Pitcairn, into French Polynesia — Gambier, Marquesas, Tuamotu and the Society Islands — then the Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, and a big refit in New Zealand.

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

From August 2026, Undertoad sails from the UK down the Atlantic, across to the Caribbean, through Panama, and out into the Pacific — finishing with a big refit in New Zealand. Hover a region to focus the map.

United Kingdom (start)
Spain, Canaries & Cape Verde
The Caribbean
Panama & Sea of Cortez
Galápagos, Easter Island & Pitcairn
French Polynesia → New Zealand
August 2026 — 2029
Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to join?
£1,000 per person, per month. That covers all food, fuel, boat maintenance and repairs, mooring fees, dive tank fills, essential nights in port, checking in and out of countries, and inshore plus limited offshore internet. You sort your own travel and health insurance, flights to join or leave, dive course fees if needed, extra nights ashore, and personal spending money.
Do I need sailing experience?
For a 3-month leg, yes — at least one overnight passage and time sailing in winds over Force 4. For 6 or 12-month commitments we can sometimes take complete beginners, as long as the rest of the crew is experienced enough to carry you while you learn.
Who can apply, and how many crew do you take?
Anyone aged 18–30 who can commit to a 3, 6 or 12-month leg. We sail as a tight team of up to four, ideally two guys and two girls, sharing twin bunks or a double V-berth.
When does Undertoad depart, and where does she sail?
She leaves the UK in late August 2026 on a slow circumnavigation: south to Spain, the Canaries and Cape Verde, across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, through Panama, up to the Sea of Cortez, then Galápagos, Easter Island, Pitcairn, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, and a big refit in New Zealand.
What qualifications do I need before stepping aboard?
Everyone must complete an RYA Sea Survival course (or your country's equivalent) before joining. If you're not a qualified diver yet, we'll get you certified at the first good dive centre.
What is daily life aboard like?
You're crew, not a passenger. On passage, watches run 3 hours on, 6 hours off, around the clock. Days are sailing, cooking, fishing, diving, filming for the YouTube channel, and keeping the boat shipshape — all under the skipper's supervision. You'll keep a personal logbook, handy for future qualifications or a marine CV.
Is this a paid job?
No. It's a hands-on sailing adventure you contribute to, not paid employment. What you gain is real offshore experience, a logbook, references for the work you put in, and an ocean circumnavigation most people only dream about.
How do I apply?
Fill in the form below (or hit Apply in the menu) and tell us your sailing experience and why you want to join. Spots are limited, so serious enquiries only.
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. Spots are limited and going slowly on purpose. Serious enquiries only.

Your application

Tell us about you

The more concrete you can be about your sailing, the easier it is to slot you onto a leg that fits.

Sent straight to the skipper’s inbox — we’ll be in touch.

Email
paul@svundertoad.com
Departure
United Kingdom, late August 2026
Current Status

Final refit underway

Completing her 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
Apply to Crew

Tell us about you

Tell us why you want in and what experience you bring. The more concrete the better.

Sent straight to the skipper’s inbox — we’ll be in touch.