Crew Positions Available

WHICH CREW FOR YOU?

EXPLORER is a powerful, handsome around the world yacht designed specifically for the early Whitbread races. She has a lot to offer in great relative comfort for those who seek the ultimate adventure. Much was learned sailing in the 2023 OGR and Captain Mark Sinclair ran his own race, bringing everyone safely home. This was a classic Adventure experience for all involved. In 2027 speed and IRC performance will dominate and she will absolutely be racing!. She will be well prepared in 2027 to take on the next OGR challenge and will sail with 11 onboard. The Captain will float and there will be a port and starboard watch of five crew each. Watches run from 0 to 4 am – 4 to 8am – 8 to 2pm – 2 to 8pm – 8 to 12 midnight. Night watches are called 15 minutes before the watch starts. Day watches are called 40 minutes before the watch starts with meals ready 30 minutes before the watch starts.

Any sailor can apply, but if you are a doctor, sailmaker, engineer, electrician, celestial Navigator or sing and dance? bringing something special to the team, you have a great chance of being selected 🙂 Thanks.

CHIEF MATE

If you have at least 15,000 ocean miles and ‘Yacht Master’ qualifications, are a people person able to lead from the front and maintain team spirit, interested to learn celestial nav or already can, have extensive boat maintenance skills to lead the effort and final prep, and are interested in assisting the pre-OGR refit? this could be your chance and the next step in your career. This position is selected from applying crew with concessions offered on the fee subject to ability and time available. All sailing kit, safety gear, food, OGR registrations, crew insurance and extra merchandise (approx €7000) is provided free.

ROUNDERS

Seven places are available for full circumnavigation crew termed ‘Rounders’ including all four legs of the OGR, not including port accommodation and meals. Contribution €49,500.

LEGGERS

Two legger spots on each leg are available. Not including port accommodation and meals. Contribution €14,000 per leg 1,2,4.

Two places are available for leg 3 (Auckland to Punta del Este, via Cape Horn) Not including port accommodation and meals. Contribution €17,500.

‘YOUTH’ LEGGERS

Under 24 at the start, one place in leg 1 and 4 only. These spots may be sponsored by an organisation. But if interested and under 24, please contact us with your interest and economic situation. Crew contribution €3000.

SELECTION & TRAINING

If you are sailing on the first leg of the OGR you MUST sail in either the OGR Qualifying Voyage or the Prologue SITraN Challenge.

OGR Selection trial. Minimum 7 day local and ocean voyage on EXPLORER compulsory for all Provisional crew. Details and dates TBA. €1500.
OGR RESERVE crew accreditation. 7 day voyage on EXPLORER. Details and dates TBA. €2100.
OGR Qualifying voyage. Min 1500 mile non-stop ocean voyage open to all and reserves. Details and date TBA. €2200.
PROLOGUE SITraN Challenge Race from the Prologue Port to the OGR Start Port yet to be announced, but a 10 day activity and about 3-4 days sailing and living onboard. €1500.
Training days are approx €155 per day. Individual training schedule developed for you based on your sailing experience but a minimum of 10 days. €1550.
Draft Program. 2026 June -Sept Crew Selection Trials – 2027 various crew training TBA.

RESERVE CREW

To qualify as a Reserve Crew for EXPLORER, you must first complete the full application form. Then you must complete your survival training course followed by a seven day Selection Trial aboard EXPLORER for Reserve Crew Accreditation. Cost €2200. If successful, you must complete your medical training and OGR medical examination by July 2027 and be ready to fly to the boat at short notice.

If a qualified Explorer crew member drops out for any reason, discount reserve places *may* be offered at 50% discount, up to 8 weeks before the departure of the next leg. After that you may be offered at 70% discount up to one month before departure, all on a first-come, first-served basis. From one month before departure, an available spot may be 90% discount. You must also pay the OGR crew reg. fee, crew insurance and food contribution. NOTE: as organiser of the OGR we are also able to PLACE YOU for consideration, as RESERVE CREW with any other team in the OGR looking for last minute crew. This happened many times in the 2023 OGR!

VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to volunteer on any program associated with the entry of EXPLORER in the 2027 OGR or even with the organisation of the OGR we are always happy to hear from you and investigate if a suitable role may be available. THANKS.