- 01
You are the proof
Put your face in the first photo, explain your background in two sentences and show something you have already made. Backers back people first and plans second.
- 02
Keep the scope small
The first milestone should fit one person's time and skills. Outsource only what you cannot do, and give those costs their own milestone so Backers see them.
- 03
Protect your time
Post proof when a step is done, answer chat once or twice a day and keep your story current. A steady rhythm builds more trust than bursts of activity.
Risks to plan for
- R1
Refit reveals more work
Opening up a repair can reveal further worn components. Complete the vessel assessment first and keep a refit contingency before committing to departure dates or passage bookings.
- R2
Weather changes route
A weather window may close after the boat is ready. Build waiting time and alternative stops into the passage budget, and make the final proof a factual log rather than a fixed arrival date.
- R3
Trial exposes faults
Systems may behave differently under load than alongside the dock. Give sea trials their own milestone and allow repair time before buying all perishable passage supplies.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a sailing voyage dream in Denver, shown in USD. Backers pay you directly using your accepted payment methods.
Example goal
$25,000
- Vessel repairs and equipment$10,000 · 40%
- Passage supplies and harbour costs$6,250 · 25%
- Preparation labour and sea trials$6,250 · 25%
- Navigation and communications$2,500 · 10%
What you receive
- Backers give
- $25,000
- 0% platform commission
- −$3,750
- You receive
- $21,250
Example milestone plan
An example plan for a sailing voyage dream with a goal of $25,000. Backers pay you directly, funding the goal all at once or milestone by milestone as you post proof for each step.
Milestone 1
$6,250 · 25%
Assess vessel and passage
Post a vessel condition summary, proposed passage plan and itemised repair quotes, with ownership and contact details hidden.
Milestone 2
$7,500 · 30%
Complete refit and checks
Share dated repair photos, parts invoices and completed system check records showing the boat’s preparation for sea trials.
Milestone 3
$3,750 · 15%
Run trials and provision
Post a sea-trial log, provision receipts and a departure checklist, without sharing live locations or private crew details.
Milestone 4
$7,500 · 30%
Record the sailing passage
Share a dated passage log, arrival photos and harbour or support receipts, explaining any route changes and unfinished legs.
How Backers are protected
14-day review per milestone
When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to review the proof, ask for more info, and decide whether to keep supporting your next milestone.
0% commission — direct gifts, nothing taken
Backers pay exactly what they choose directly through your payment methods. cohero takes 0% commission on backings, so you keep what is sent. Any refunds or disputes are handled directly between you, the Backer and your payment provider.
Gifts, not shares
Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.
Questions and answers
Can one person really fund a sailing voyage dream?
Yes. Backers do not require a company. They need to understand your goal and see proof as you go, and a small first milestone is the best way to show you deliver.
Can the dream fund repairs as well as the voyage?
Show which repairs are needed for the planned passage and separate them from unrelated improvements. Use condition records, repair invoices and sea-trial notes before the final passage log so Backers can follow the sequence.
Should I share live tracking with Backers?
You can use a delayed route summary and dated log instead of publishing live positions. Explain your reporting schedule before departure and keep crew identities, berth details and private communications out of public proof.
Ready when you are
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