Crewing Opportunities aboard SV. Maiatla.
There are times during our travels when we require additional crew. (Check Below for current needs) It may be on a long or potentially difficult passage, a short coastal hop or we may require someone with a particular skill set. I.e. Camera man, diver or someone with an unusual personality for comic relief and to provide fodder for our books. Or perhaps we would just may desire some different company. Anyway, this is the section that will post our needs, when and if they arise.
We maintain an active list of possible crew and if you want your name added the first thing you will need to do read the section in our blog titled, Law of the sea-The Maiatla Articles. It will answer many of the questions you may have. Then if your are still interested contact me.
Depending who you are and on your cruising resume,(experience not necessarily required) your name can be added and drawn upon in our time of need. Being able to travel at short notice and being flexible is a definite asset.
Regards and Fair winds,
Andrew Gunson,
AKA the Naked Canadian.
Captain Andy MaiatlaII@hotmail.com
2025/26 Crew Wanted!
I have a ambitious cruising season ahead and will require crew for much of it. For comfort sake and to assure everyone has their own berth and privet space, I will limit the crew to a maximum 4. I will give preference to Maiatla alumni as all have proved their mettle on previous voyages. (Photos of Maiatla alumni are posted at the bottom of this page.)
The most desirable traits for crew is flexibility as at sea, timetables are difficult to keep.
Spanish speaking is an asset which will pull some weight. After which a jovial attitude and blind obedience is box ticker. Some sailing experience is preferable, especially for the offshore legs, but not a deal breaker.
Now that we got that out of the way, Where and When?
This cruising season will start in November of 2025.
Well its been in interesting couple of years trying to complete Maiatla’s refit, well she is about done.
With that, its time to plan for my winter cruise. We will be starting this year in the Rio Dulce, Guatemala in In mid November. I have about two weeks of work to do on the boat then around December 1st of 2025, I will sail 20 miles down the river bound for sea port of Livingston where I will check out of Guatemala. Once cleared, I will sail to Belize and up to Punta Gorda to check into Belize before heading up to Plascencia. From there we will island hop up to Southwater Caye and Tobacco Caye. This leg should take approx. 7-10 days depending on weather and on how I feel. lol.
After Tobacco Caye it will be an open water crossing to Lighthouse Reef. (The Blue Hole) for some diving and snorkeling. 4 to 5 days.
After Lighthouse reef its a day sail to Turneef atoll, will spend a few days there before heading to the English Caye Channel to dive the shipwreck MYRON L a 120 foot freighter.
Then depart for Caye Caulker for a couple of days days then back to Belize City and Kukumba Marina to refuel and drop off/pick up crew on or about December 18th. (no confirmed crew yet)
After this I will be looking for a weather window to plan the offshore passage to the south coast of Cuba. 5 to 7 day passage. Check into Cuba in Cayo Largo. Then sail to Cienfuegos. Can take a Taxi to Havana from there.
Will spend January and February working my way east along the south coast of Cuba . Through the “Gardens of the Queens”
Sometime in mid March, I will depart Cuba and will make the 2 day offshore passage to Jamaica where I will need to have our life raft serviced. Planning on staying in Jamaica for approximately two or three weeks.
Weather permitting I will depart Jamaica near the beginning of April bound for the Turks and Cacaos, then Dominican Republic until the mid or end of May. Covering about 1800 nautical miles. After that, I’m not sure which way to head, North or south? I have to have to keep in mid hurricane season will be again approaching.
If any part of this voyage intrigues you let me know asap.
Cheers all, Captain Andy MaiatlaII@hotmail.com
Maiatla Alumni.
The Three Amigos!
Adrian and her daughter Stephaine- Belize March 2025
The Naked Canadian 
Hi Andrew: Would be glad to join you for some sailing, not sure it could work into your current plans. Keep me in mind, I usually have a fairly flexible schedule.My only offshore experience is racing in Australia, the Friday night to Sunday afternoon bashes down the coast and back from Perth. Not sure it qualifies for anything but stupid. I am sailing every opportunity here in Vancouver so if you are in the area we can arrange something here.
Hi Richard, nice to hear from you. I see that you have been doing some traveling of your own. Your sails off of Australia would certainly give you a taste of offshore work and its more experiences than many who first sail with us. I still hope to get Maiatla down to Austrlia sometime. As for this seasons voyage to the Galapagos and Panama, as you can imagine, we had a lot of interest…too much in fact. As it stands now we have a full boat for all the legs, mostly family. For the Canal transit we will have 9 on board including the pilot… a real full house. I’ll put your name on the potential crew list and if a position opens up, who knows? There is always next season in the Caribbean. Anyway stay in touch, love to have you some time. Cheers Andy
Hi Andrew and Janet, If/when you sail to Australia, I’d be interested. A place I’ve always wanted to visit. I don’t have experience in open ocean, but have sailed 2 weeks in the San Juans, sailed Lake Michigan (Milwaukee-Sturgeon Bay and across to Michigan, and Milwaukee to just north of Chicago), sailed Banderas Bay (PV, Mexico). I’d consider other sailings just to regain lost skills and knowledge!
Hi Georgia, not heading there anytime soon but I will keep you in mind. take care , Andy