Is anyone interested in discussing ways to make a few pennies whilst being a travelling liveaboard? I've tried a few things, with limited success so far, which experience I can share, but always open to new ideas!
I like this as it is most grounded in reality. However, there are ways to make money without white collar work or long-term sessilization (just made that up).I think there are very few jobs that can be done while cruising if you wish to keep moving, ie actively cruising.
The IT idea sounds fine but I think there are very few in our size boats actively cruising because the Internet is so iffy in many places. And the person who can spent $10,000 per month on satelite broadband would be in a bigger boat...
There are some who may be making a few spending dollars but not a reasonable portion of a budget and probably investing lots of hours.
If you are going to profit by $30,000 per year there must be clients who do Ned to see you, and have good land based system.
The yacht delivery people need to be in a good area to work... A week delivery from Ft Lauderdale will not fly in a skipper from Pago Pago.
It takes years to get the reputation and what do you ,do with your boat when away? Marinas can be expensive so you are on half dollars!
Many have to crew for a long time for free to get the reputation.
Sowing, covers, sail rite machines.... God there are so many older ladies trying to offer this one. But once cruising the need for winch covers just doesn't exist! (Btw if looking for someone to do some work, just stop past any boat with winch covers! They do it!!)
Hull cleaning. Locals come cheaper than you. Venuzalea was $10 per DAY for labour so how much can you charge for 1 hour?
Hair cutting not many do this one. But you only get $10 per cut. Many have very long hair cruising (males mid life crisis means they grow a pony tail! Women how can you bare it? I'm single. give him the heave Ho and come live with a shaved short haired non smelly man)
Consultancy work from old profession. There are few that can hide away even just giving advice. Lawyers, but is all their info now on the web or do they still need a law library?
Doing jobs for cruisers... Other cruisers seem pretty independent and don't need paid help. Making this more difficult is that most cruisers will volunteer to help someone's problem for no pay to get Karma Points.
Marine mechanic, electronics, etc. need to be in one place for a long time. Local laws etc. other cruisers won't pay. Cruiser mechanics charge too much... Generally $30 to $50 per hour when the Yanmar guy charges $50 with parts, warranty, specialist knowledge. I prefer to use the Yanmar guy at the higher rate unless I absolutely know the cheaper person.
Lots of bum alcoholics are cruising the world looking for any dollar and if you say can you do x they say yes and stuff it up. It means few will use another cruiser unless they have a great reputation.
So how would I earn money?
I think I would do the 6 months at home, 6 months cruising. No matter how poor you think your economy, it's vastly better than some island in the middle of nowhere, and in your country the dollars are real and substantial....
It's difficult... And a question asked so often... But in my four years afloat I have met NO ONE making a dollar more than just small pin money. Certainly none who are making good money.
Mark
I'm sure a young man who looks the Club Med part, or Super Yacht Crew part could do so in the way you say.I've cruised the Carribean Western Carribean this way. .
My plan is to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE... live as cheaply as you can now and have a nest egg large enough to not have to worry about working for a living while cruising... We try to live on my wife's pay as a tenured teacher as much we can and put all my consulting engineering pay in the bank... by the time it's quitting time for me in 4-6 years... we should have enough to support our happy lives... my spouse has 7 more years till teacher retirement kicks in... I can continue in this field working since it's all computer/desk mundane analysis stuff... we're halfway there in terms of savings... can't wait! :laugherI would suggest amassing a bit of cash and investing it in an annuity which will give you a steady, reliable income, because, unless you get extremely lucky, you will not be able to earn enough to live comfortably on while sailing.
268.coastal sailor here... I feel like during my entire career i have been acquiring skills i need to survive off the grid. I have tended bar for 10+ years. I have an automotive education and spent 6 years working in a shop. Lastly i have spent the last 8 years working as a certified it professional with formal college training. I also just received my diving cert. One more thing on this old preppers bucket list before i set sail will be formal paramedic training. I find the dream motivational. I feel like the more knowledge i have the longer i can survive living the dream. All those things i mentioned i believe can save me money and make me money with. How old am i? Without looking at the profile.
This pretty much sums up my plan... I own my boat, my car is paid off, and Im outfitting it while I still have a job. My husband is an awesome fisherman and I have excellent IT skills. Im going to finish my degree and settle what little bit of student loans I have BEFORE setting sail (permanently at least). We make a living on land, with rent and utilities etc bringing in 20k/year. Im not looking to bring in a lot of money... Im just looking to fund my sailing habit! Not starve to death while island hopping for the rest of my life... set up a small nest egg for boat maintenance/repairs.Of course, if your boat is paid off and you don't have any (or large) credit card debt, no car payments, and have a water maker and solar panels, you can drop the hook and pray for good luck at fishing, and not worry about money!