What do you mean the funding question has been beaten to death?

[SailorAmy]

Actually I was wondering if anyone is or knows of cruisers finding odd jobs in the Caribbean to fund their sailing? I do bookkeeping, sandblasting, painting etc. (I'm very versatile!) and was thinking of taking a course in electronic repair.

My boyfriend is magical with engines, has a Mech Eng Tech background and can fix ANYTHING (well, 'cept for the lottery).

Could we seriously consider bumming around the southern seas picking up work here and there????

Amy
S/V Rafiki

[Pamlicotraveler]

We recently watched a Lin and Larry Pardie video and came away fans. I think it was "Get Ready to Cruise." They truly know how to live on a shoestring and are minimalists when it comes to sailing. I came away a fan. They aren't there to party or have the comforts of home; they are there to see the world and sail. They didn't even have an engine.

So, with his talents and others I think you can do it if you live the way the Pardeys suggest. Of course, I'm a wannabe as far as that goes


(note: The Pardeys may be filthy rich now with all the books and videos, but they deserve it if they are. )

[camaraderie]

You can certainly pick up a little off the books work if you have good skills like your boyfriend but most islands make it quite difficult to do any work if you are a foreigner. One alternative is to find work in the US territories when you need to work...Puerto Rico & The US Virgin Islands are the best chance I think and you will need to live quite frugally.

[sailingdog]

Cam-

She might have problems in the USVI and Puerto Rico, since she isn't an American, and may have visa issues in the USA... she's probably Canadian, since she's posting from Ontario.

[SailorAmy]

That's right! I'M A CANADIAN!

Which means I can eat more donuts and drink more beer than you Yankees!

Just can't do both at the same time!

As far as living in the lap of luxury, we are both X-backpackers and we fish....cook our own meals...and won't leave until we have all the (what we feel are) necessities. ie water maker and solar/wind power gen. etc. I hate marinas and yacht clubs ***no offense to anyone*** I can't stand being tied to a dock!

I love to live in a minimalist style, the ability to be self reliant (within reason). Back in the backpacking days I would be out for up to 2 weeks alone w/ the dog. No ice makers or air conditioning here! All I need is some good spirits and food in my belly!

Another reason why I would like to work at some cash jobs is to meet different people...hang-out with the locals...you know...the ones that aren't on the megayachts.

Amy

[buckeyesailor]

I don't understand.......
What's wrong with donuts and beer?

[camaraderie]

Ooops missed that....you'll have to find work in the Canadian islands instead!

[xort]

can canucks work in the british colonies, like the BVI's?

[Omatako]

Originally Posted by SailorAmy

Another reason why I would like to work at some cash jobs is to meet different people...hang-out with the locals...you know...the ones that aren't on the megayachts.

Actually my experience has been that the folks on megayachts are often really approachable and sometimes a lot of fun.

Also in my experience, skills are often easier traded than sold. I'll fix your engine if you'll stitch my genoa. I'll get your fridge working if you'll dive and give my hull a quick clean. If I can't fix your fridge, I'll get your beers cold in my fridge for some of those crayfish you caught . And so on.

Andre

[funsailthekeys]

My experience is it's fairly easy for a Canadian to find employment in any English Protectorate. There are a lot of Canadian companies in Cuba that I know of as well. So as far as the Bahamas, Turks and Cacios Islands BVI, Granada and others you are lucky. Americans are welcome until the money runs out I'm afraid.