Sailing advice

Has anyone ever hitched a lift on a boat or has anyone ever done a
"working passage" on a boat? I have no relivent work experience on a
boat but have always fancied doing some of my world trip by boat. I
would particularly like to sale from the Med across the Atlantic or
from New Zealand or Australia to surrounding countries.

If you have, or you know someone who has, I would love to hear about
it. I'm especially interested in how you found the lift, what the lift
was like, and, if the lift crossed
national borders, what the situation was with passports, customs etc.
when you arrived.

Also any advice on other sites for backpackers

Thanks in advance