How to Get on Your Dream Boat

It starts with more than dockwalking — it starts with clarity.

Every yachtie has a dream boat. Maybe it’s a 70m that does world tours. Maybe it’s a dual-season program with a fun crew and killer tips. Or maybe it’s just one that treats you like a human. Whatever yours looks like — getting there starts before you step onto the dock.

Here’s the truth: you don’t land your dream job by luck. You land it by getting intentional, getting strategic, and showing up like you already belong there. And it all begins with something deceptively simple: writing it down.

1. Start With a Written Goal (Yes, Write It Down)

Thoughts are vague. But words? Words pull your dreams into the real world. When you write down your goals, you activate your senses. You give shape to something your mind used to hold loosely. And from that clarity — action follows.

Before you hit the docks or refresh Yotspot again, ask yourself:

• What kind of boat do I want to be on? (private? charter? size?)

• Where do I want to go? (Med? Caribbean? world tour?)

• What kind of team do I want to work with?

Write it down. Be specific. The day you figure out what you want and why you want it, is the day it becomes possible. This is you giving yourself permission to want something real. This is the step most skip — and it's often the one that changes everything.

2. Reverse Engineer the Path

Once you’ve defined the boat — figure out what it takes to get there. Talk to people who’ve worked on similar programs. Ask:

• What skills did you need?

• What helped you stand out?

• What mistakes would you avoid?

This is where you start building your checklist — and your strategy. Training, experience, networking... you name it. Be a student of the path.

3. Craft a CV That Speaks to That Dream

If you want a high-end charter gig, your CV better scream guest-focused, detail-driven, and polished. If you're gunning for a sporty private boat — show your hands-on, adaptable side.

🧠 Get Nauti Tip: Customize your pitch. Make the dream boat think, "This crew member gets us."

4. Put Yourself in the Right Places

• Network at the bars where that crew hangs out

• Walk docks where those boats moor

• DM crew you admire on Instagram or LinkedIn

You want to be in the orbit of your dream, not just dreaming from a distance.

5. Be the Person the Dream Boat Wants to Hire

Yes, get the certs. Yes, show up clean and eager. But also — be the type of person people want to live with:

• Respectful, upbeat, self-aware

• Asks good questions, takes feedback well

• Doesn’t just talk — listens

Let your vibe say: "You’ll never regret hiring me."

6. Get Feedback (The Right Way)

You grow faster when you’re open to feedback. Ask for help with your CV, your approach, your interview skills — but ask with appreciation.

Here’s the compliment sandwich in action:

"Hey, you seem like you’ve got this figured out. Can I ask your opinion on what stands out in my CV? I really admire your path and would love to follow something similar."

It gets attention, builds connection, and earns you honest insight.

7. Speak Up For What You Want — Especially When It’s Hard

There will be moments you don’t feel ready. Times when you think you’re too green, too late, or too unsure. That’s when it matters most to raise your voice.

Asking for what you want in the moment you didn’t think you had a voice? That’s where life-changing stuff happens. Boats get offered. Mentors show up. New chapters open.

Don’t wait to be picked. Declare what you’re here for.

Want Help Getting There?

We built the Get Nauti community to connect you with the crew culture, advice, and events that get you closer to where you want to be.

👉 [Subscribe here] to get insider tips, CV tools, dockwalking support, and invites to crew meetups.

Write the goal. Take the steps. Speak the ask. Get the boat.

Be Nauti.