North America’s #1 Crew Networking Service
Since 1993
Founded by Hank Schmitt. Evolved by 59º North.
OPO has helped thousands of sailors meet and make successful passages together since 1993. Whether you’re a sailor on a budget looking to get offshore, or an owner/professional skipper looking for experienced delivery crew, we’re here to help. The model is simple - qualified crew pay an annual membership fee to get access to the dozens of sailing opportunities that come in throughout the year, emailed straight to your inbox in real-time, and posted on the members-only QUARTERDECK platform. Members contact the boat owners/skippers of the deliveries that interest them, and if selected for the crew, you sail for free.
Owners/skippers use the service for free.
“Keep the offshore sailing dream alive for the price of a couple good winch handles!”
Why?
Fun fact - Hank Schmitt was the very first person I called back in 2006 when I first wanted to get into ocean sailing and discovered OPO. Fast forward nearly a decade - since founding 59º North in 2015, our mission has always been simple - share the mystique of ocean sailing with adventurous people like us. When Hank approached us about taking over OPO, it felt like this was right in our wheelhouse. Here’s an opportunity to reach people interested in ocean sailing but who might not have the time, or want to put up the cash needed to sail with us on ISBJORN or ICEBEAR. People like me, when I was 23. People like my dad Dennis, whose all but retired and always looking for good crew for his boat SOJOURNER. So sailing ISBJORN & ICEBEAR will still be the core of what we do here at 59º North, and they will continue to represent the pinnacle of offshore adventure sailing. If you want a guaranteed top-notch experience with professional skippers that you can plan for years in advance, sail with ICEBEAR & ISBJORN. If you’re more flexible, already experienced, or on a tighter budget, consider OPO. Going forward we hope some of our former crew will stay in the family, so to speak, as OPO members, and continue pursuing their ocean sailing dreams in a different way, with friends they’ll make along the way. // Andy Schell
“Delivery skippers & private boat owners quickly realize their friends & family have jobs and cannot always sail with them - so they call us looking for crew. Many are repeat skippers, former shipmates or members, so we pre-qualify a majority of the opportunities for you.”
For Crew
Your membership connects you with trusted owners and skippers looking for experienced crew. You sail for free since you're helping to move a boat. Some voyages require sea miles with solo, night watch capabilities while others simply need bodies to stand watch.
Under 59º North, all current and future OPO members get unlimited access to The QUARTERDECK, our online platform about seamanship.
Have you sailed with OPO or 59º North in the past? You might qualify for our VERIFIED crew program.
Note that it’s up to crew - YOU - to properly vet the owner and the boat before heading offshore. As a member, we’ll give you the tools to do that.
For Owners // Skippers
We help boat owners and delivery skippers find qualified, experienced crew. Some skippers look for crew in advance while others need crew on short notice. Once you request crew through our online form, you'll know within 24 to 48 hours if we can help. Some skippers accept friendly, less experienced crew who are able and willing.
This service is FREE to boat owners and delivery skippers. All you need to do is complete our REQUEST CREW form, answer OPO questions, thoughtfully vet crew inquiries, select your crew & have a great trip!
What makes the best crew? Usually compatible personalities. While it’s up to owners/skipper to properly vet their crew, we’re here to give guidance on how.
“We welcome inquiries from owners and skippers we know - and those we have yet to meet!”
