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spent my life savings on a boat, looking for work.

12K views 112 replies 37 participants last post by  ftldiver 
#1 ·
Hey, im a 19 year old sailor from Nova Scotia, i quit my job in the furniture business do to work place harassment and I just spent all my money on an International 14, and i need help keeping it funded. can anybody help me out with finding a job?
Cheers,
Steve.
 
#32 · (Edited)
At this point, it doesn't matter WHAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED- it is where to go from here?
Ok looking at his picture album, it looks like he has his priorities in order- having FUN. Isn't that what drew most of us into sailing? Obviously, he cannot live on it, maybe he needs funding to pay for dry storage? He would likely take a loss on the sale of it, so he is probably stuck with it financially.

Also, looking at his only other post, he is looking to crew on a long passage.

Therefore, he still has a few good options if he wants to stick with the sailing life:
1- spend a summer or year or two drifting (crewing on deliveries, working at marinas, West Marine, etc).
2- join the Navy or Coast Guard- learn skills, visit cool places, and get paid while doing so.
3- look for a possible trade up to a larger, older (probably a project) boat that he can live on. This would be rough going, because he would likely have to live on the hook, with a boat that says "feed me money" constantly.
4- go back to the real world. Get a real job, have a few bucks in your pocket, and 20 years from now say "Oh, I couldn't do that when I was younger, and I am too strapped down now."

This all brings up a fascinating question. What would you do if you could turn it all back to age 19? What would you really do, not what you SHOULD do? I am sure a lot of people end up choosing option 4, whether right or wrong.
 
#33 · (Edited)
This is one of those threads that seem to go in ways I personnally would never have predicted. I too am sorry that some of the responses were as harsh as they are. To me this young man comes here and tells us that he is young, bought a boat, used up whatever savings he has on that boat, then quit his job because of being harrassed and is now looking for a job. And at least some of the 'jury' harrass him for either or all of buying the wrong boat, or quiting his job, or coming here looking for help.

It seems to me as some have said, we know almost nothing about Sailorneverdies. I think that it is helpful to ask the questions about his skill-sets, long term goals, more specifically where Steve lives and so on. Answers to this should be helpful in being able to provide meaningful advice. Blasting Sailorneverdies seems unnecessary and purposely hurtful. We all were young once and we all made decisions and worked jobs which in hindsight may seem questionable. If we are on SailNet, we somehow ended up relatively alive and on our feet.

This young man sounds reasonably responsible. He's not looking for a handout. He's just asking if any of us have a lead on a job that he could apply for. Maybe because of similarities in my own life story, I personnally see nothing that deserves criticism in that request.

I know that these are different times, but as a kid I worked any number of minimum wage type jobs (split a paper route, baby sat neighbor's kids, restocked hardware) and saved every penny I could. I bought a 10 foot sailboat when I was 12 or so, with every cent I had, plus a loan from my Dad (which I am not sure I ever did pay back in full).

As I got older I worked whatever jobs I could to put away money for a car and for college. I worked a mix of interesting, character building jobs and pretty crummy jobs, sometimes two or more at a time for wages that seem absurd 50 years later (like half a buck an hour). Looking back, when I think of the list of things I did for money, it amazes me, but I took what came at me and worked hard as a dishwasher/deep sink in restaurants, house boy at a hotel (doing the jobs that were too disgusting or too heavy lifting for the chamber maids), hanging drywall and framing houses, worked in boat yards painting bottoms, vanishing, grinding fiberglass on a boat being built, boat carpenter assistant, riggers assistant, sailing instructor, commissioned boats and helped owners learn to rig and sail their new trailerable boats, parked cars, night shift doorman (which I did while working in a boatyard during the week and parking cars on the weekend), delivery boy for a flower shop, hand dug a half mile long trench across a golf course, teacher's aide, yard man at a lumber yard, laborer at a carpet store, ran blueprints, sculpted mobiles and drew small pen and inks and painted water colors which were sold to tourists by a local gift shop, gardener on a large estate, draftsman, sales clerk in a gift shop, busboy, and I am sure there are jobs that I have fogotten. None of these paid very well, but in total, they paid enough buy a number of different boats, keep me in clothes, bicycles, motorcycles, and cars, got me through college, and bought the time and wisdom to make more meaningful decisions about the life I wanted to lead.

Which is a long way of saying to Steve, I don't have any job leads for you, except to suggest that you keep reading the papers and going on line to look at ads, keep doing what you are doing by putting out the word that you are looking for a job. I admire that you are not afraid to say that you are looking for a job even in creative places like this one. (I once got a lead for a job when a police officer pulled me over for speeding. He asked why I was going above the speed limit. I told him that I was looking for a job and heard there was a job available at a hotel and wanted to get there before the job was filled, and then had the nerve to ask if he knew of any jobs out there. He said that the job I was driving to was a lousey place to work and referred me to restaurant who needed a dishwasher/busboy. Not a great job, but a job none the less, and it included a cheap room to sleep and meals until something better came along.)

Along the way, Steve, hopefully you will meet good people who will help you set your course by their good example, and unfortunately, perhaps encounter people who provide a bad example thereby showing you what not to do. Hopefully, 44 years from now you too can look back at a life well lived, and think of the things that you did as a 19 year old in a charitable light, at worst rolling your eyes, and at best having some great stories to tell the other old farts.

Jeff
 
#35 ·
I went back and looked at his profile again...

He states he is a sailing instructor, a lifeguard, and some other stuff, as well as having worked in some sort of furniture business. So, he seems to be able to work, but then I looked at the photo albums...

The P*$$y, money, weed photo in particular gives me an impression that perhaps he is not at all focused on work so much. I may just be old and not in touch with today's kids, but the kids I know who are successful are not focused on p*$$y or weed, and really money is not their highest priority either, they focus on learning to do their jobs well, and on being good at the things they choose to do, so that they can become successful. They all do silly stuff, I did when I was young too. They all do things that could best be called learning experiences, or teaching opportunities or whatever you call a screwup, but they take their lumps and continue on, and keep a smile on their faces because no one likes a frowned up kid.

My first impression when I read the OP was that he was kind of doing a little bit of a backdoor kind of begging, maybe I was wrong, hopefully. Yes we teased him about his tiny little boat, but not because it was small, at least not on my part, but more because it seemed to be too small to spend all the money one might possess on. If it had been something that could conceivably be a live aboard, I would have been far more ready to say "good on you", but basically it is a toy. Not due to the size, but due to the usage it is intended for, and buying a toy that takes all of your money when you have little and then quitting your job over some sort of suspect situation like harassment to me seems irresponsible. My guess is kind of harsh, but I am guessing the harassment consisted of things like "Boy, if you do not get your butt to work on time and sober, you are going to be fired" or "no, you cannot have Wednesday off, we have production to meet, and you will have to tell your friends you have a job and cannot go play" . I hope I am wrong, but as a business owner for many years, who has faced, and won, frivolous law suits from people who were fired or quit before I could fire them for being drunks, lazy, or just plain nuts, whenever I see something like "I quit my last job because I was being harassed" I cringe and pass on employing the person.

Zeehag was spot on in saying you stay on and settle it, or go to court and settle it and get your job back with some extra pay, or you are a quitter. If someone quits or is fired and then comes back and claims harassment, to me that is someone trying to get paid for nothing.
 
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#37 ·
I went back and looked at his profile again...

He states he is a sailing instructor, a lifeguard, and some other stuff, as well as having worked in some sort of furniture business. So, he seems to be able to work, but then I looked at the photo albums...

The P*$$y, money, weed photo in particular gives me an impression that perhaps he is not at all focused on work so much. I may just be old and not in touch with today's kids, but the kids I know who are successful are not focused on p*$$y or weed, and really money is not their highest priority either,
Here's the pic in question:
He's skateboarding- I'm not sure he's responsible for the tagging that is in the background, which mark focused on:



BTW. here's the rest of the album:
SailNet Community - sailorneverdies's Album: go pro pics

the kid's a sailor. with a boat. with acceptable taste in beer. looking for a job. anything else is inference.
 
#39 ·
Ok as happens with myself heat long day of work and lack of sleeping ability makes me less than useful at times. So I AM sorry for being SO harsh. However I am still on Marks side of the channel on this. He spent all his money on a toy that he seems unable to properly pay for and currently has no job. Thats all im saying on that subject.

The rest? Yea hes 19. Hes got his whole life. I was 23 when I bought Strong Back. I went broke twice but tis dee life of a boat owner is tis. At least one going to school while waiting tables and refitting a sailboat. It aint easy or cheap- can vouch for that.

Smoking weed and girls? Sounds normal to me- however weed lowers work ethics in young men because often moderation is not properly practiced. This is for off topic however.

Chapmans and bowditch though outdated perhaps still should be required reading (maybe not so much the bowditch- very mathematical is tis.)

Im sorry I was so callous but I was just thrown off by "life savings" "14' boat" and "no job."

Welcome aboard matey. I sincerely wish you well. It sucks having no job. When I moved to NSB three weeks ago I had no job and like 300$ left (not including investments which stay untouched for at least two more decades).
I spent the first week hitting all the restaurants for serving or bar tending and got nothing but turn downs even with 7+ years experience. Persistence is key. I called back the best jobs three times or more and was getting inklings of interviews to come perhaps but I could not wait. So then I made a resume detailing my college education and construction experience and went to all of the construction contractors, electricians, and masons in town.

By the 9th day here I had three jobs. The job I am keeping is seriously the best job in town for my situation. Persistence pays off.

Now I work evenings only. Spend my days fixing the last 3 boat projects I have (Cutting out sole area around V-berth and relaying glass, refoaming centerboard tube to prevent flooding in windward tacks and heavy swells, and reinstalling my Nico Solar Vent fan after I repoxy a raw fiberglass area that has let some water wick in over the months)

So your 19- get a job, spend less money on pot and girls, invest money early and often, sail when the breeze is stiff, and ask questions here when books and google dont cover it.

Cheers.
 
#60 ·
Ok as happens with myself heat long day of work and lack of sleeping ability makes me less than useful at times. So I AM sorry for being SO harsh. However I am still on Marks side of the channel on this. He spent all his money on a toy that he seems unable to properly pay for and currently has no job. Thats all im saying on that subject.

The rest? Yea hes 19. Hes got his whole life. I was 23 when I bought Strong Back. I went broke twice but tis dee life of a boat owner is tis. At least one going to school while waiting tables and refitting a sailboat. It aint easy or cheap- can vouch for that.

Smoking weed and girls? Sounds normal to me- however weed lowers work ethics in young men because often moderation is not properly practiced. This is for off topic however.

Chapmans and bowditch though outdated perhaps still should be required reading (maybe not so much the bowditch- very mathematical is tis.)

Im sorry I was so callous but I was just thrown off by "life savings" "14' boat" and "no job."

Welcome aboard matey. I sincerely wish you well. It sucks having no job. When I moved to NSB three weeks ago I had no job and like 300$ left (not including investments which stay untouched for at least two more decades).
I spent the first week hitting all the restaurants for serving or bar tending and got nothing but turn downs even with 7+ years experience. Persistence is key. I called back the best jobs three times or more and was getting inklings of interviews to come perhaps but I could not wait. So then I made a resume detailing my college education and construction experience and went to all of the construction contractors, electricians, and masons in town.

By the 9th day here I had three jobs. The job I am keeping is seriously the best job in town for my situation. Persistence pays off.

Now I work evenings only. Spend my days fixing the last 3 boat projects I have (Cutting out sole area around V-berth and relaying glass, refoaming centerboard tube to prevent flooding in windward tacks and heavy swells, and reinstalling my Nico Solar Vent fan after I repoxy a raw fiberglass area that has let some water wick in over the months)

So your 19- get a job, spend less money on pot and girls, invest money early and often, sail when the breeze is stiff, and ask questions here when books and google dont cover it.

Cheers.
wow... thank you for assuming i smoke pot. i actually gave my last 200 dollars to a guy with no home to get back to his family, thank you for trying to make me look bad though.
 
#46 ·
sailor,

I have to say, it's not the other posters that are trying to make you look bad. You seem to be doing a fine job of that yourself. They're only making themselves look bad.

If I'm not mistaken, you're the one who came here looking for help and advice. Some people gave you good advice, and some gave you bad advice. That's what you get in a public forum.

I don't think anyone cares whether you bought a tiny pleasure dinghy or a "world class racing skiff." The fact is it seems like you bought a high-dollar luxury item (yes, it is a luxury item - it's nowhere near a necessity) without the forethought of how to fund either it or yourself. This has little to do with insulting your boat. This has everything to do with fiscal and life responsibility.

We've all been 19 with dreams and aspirations; we've all purchased things that haven't been in our best long-term interest. That doesn't make you a bad person, or necessarily make your purchase a bad decision. It's your life. Do what you want with it. But saying "world class racing skiff" in 3 consecutive posts does not address the core issue - you're jobless with an expensive racing boat and no extra funds. That's what needs to be fixed, not people calling your dinghy exactly what it is.
 
#56 ·
sailor,

I have to say, it's not the other posters that are trying to make you look bad. You seem to be doing a fine job of that yourself. They're only making themselves look bad.

If I'm not mistaken, you're the one who came here looking for help and advice. Some people gave you good advice, and some gave you bad advice. That's what you get in a public forum.

I don't think anyone cares whether you bought a tiny pleasure dinghy or a "world class racing skiff." The fact is it seems like you bought a high-dollar luxury item (yes, it is a luxury item - it's nowhere near a necessity) without the forethought of how to fund either it or yourself. This has little to do with insulting your boat. This has everything to do with fiscal and life responsibility.

We've all been 19 with dreams and aspirations; we've all purchased things that haven't been in our best long-term interest. That doesn't make you a bad person, or necessarily make your purchase a bad decision. It's your life. Do what you want with it. But saying "world class racing skiff" in 3 consecutive posts does not address the core issue - you're jobless with an expensive racing boat and no extra funds. That's what needs to be fixed, not people calling your dinghy exactly what it is.
I was trying to redeem myself from being torn apart!
 
#51 ·
The American Practical Navigator by Nathaniel Bowditch was originally published in 1802. It was subsequently updated several times - I have a 2002 edition which I believe was the last update. I think Boaters Bowditch is intended to be a modern version although I haven't actually seen a copy. BUT it was intended to be humorous, hence the :D:D:D... what is it with this thread??
 
#49 ·
Hey Steve, welcome to Sailnet!
So many great things can happen along the way as you search for your niche in sailing. I-14s are famous boats! I can already picture you on the big $ boat crews racing around the world. My dream would be on J-class yachts LOL NOT as a cook! But then... I'm almost as old as some of those boats! :eek:

I can only hope your sailing life and career interests lead where the fictional Charlie Saint Cloud landed! ( really good movie starts out with dingy racing)

 
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#50 · (Edited)
Well how are people supposed to become professional racers? They spend all their money on a racing skiff and learn how to do it at 19. They sure as heck don't sit around calling people unsafe for not using dinghy lights. Those are the kind of sailors that I see out there on a beautiful windy day, like yesterday, with the mainsail covered and the jib furled. They're checking their dinghy lights. They don't want to be unsafe.

You have all given him too hard of a time. I like keelboats and cruising and I don't care about racing, but he does. Maybe he'll be 50 and rich and designing the new oracle boat. Not because he was worried about being broke at 19 but because he spent all his money on something important. It's not a luxury if its important to him, if sailboats are luxury items we are all going to hell for spending so much money and time on them when we could be donating it all to starving peasants.

How you looked at his collection of pictures and got women and weed out of a collection of athletic photos ill never know. I saw a windsurf board, cliff jumping, sailing, and skating. It's probably not his fault someone graffitied the skate park. It shows what we all see and you wanted to see him as a punk so you took a healthy collection of pictures and dirtied it with your "all young uns" are crap mentality.
 
#53 ·
So let me get this straight, OP comes on here and states he sunk his money in a boat, lost his job and asks for help and by doing so he is chastised, rather vehemently, as a ne'er do well, stoner, senseless idiot by some and encouraged by a few. He comes back on a lobs a few insult bombs of his own to clarify his situation, which would have helped at the beginning and we wonder why (in other threads) the younger generation doesn't want to sail with us. I applaud him on being 19 and knowing he wants to be a world class racer, at 19 I wanted to sail but didn't know how to achieve that in landlocked Indiana. Fast forward 30 years, I've got a great job, wife, two great kids, start a business for my wife, she gets cancer, we have to close our business, I have to sell the boat, glad I didn't list all this then I'd have been blasted for not being better prepared. Steve, don't let the comments of a few deter you from your dream, at the end of the day it is your dream not theirs. Oh, by the way since that time my wife is in remission, I have bought two other boats and just picked up a 16 footer for my son as a first boat.
 
#64 ·
To the OP-
Thanks for your post... making a decision is better than just being passive. And you have made a decision.
It seems to me that your post is not about 'sailing' ; it is really about "what do I want to do with my life?"
You have had some good replies along those lines.
Sailing is one thing. Supporting yourself by learning a trade, profession, or marketable skill is another.
You are at a a good age to consider your future.
Find out what you are interested in, about what you are gifted in or naturally talented to do to earn a living. I used to be a professional vocational counselor. Once you decide what your goals are; you will need to put in the time and effort to achieve your goal.
You are off to a good start in that you did not remain passive in the face of circumstances. Now, decide what vocation you want to enter and do the hard but rewarding work to acomplish your goal. Dont let anyone put you down on this forum....hell, even some of the 30+ aged people never pushed themselves and are 'underachievers' for their true potential and skills.
So......research the jobs you want......get the training, education, or experience required for said jobs.....and go for it!
Sailing will always be there! Now is the time to develop a marketable skill so you can support yourself....plus support any certain loves to come in the future who need a responsible partner-
Best of luck to you, young man!
 
#68 · (Edited)
To the OP-
Sailing will always be there! Now is the time to develop a marketable skill so you can support yourself....plus support any certain loves to come in the future who need a responsible partner-
Best of luck to you, young man!
Total agreement with the "Best of luck" part, but.....
At 19 marketable skills are like yesterday's milk. No one will pay for your non existent years of experience - they have 40 year olds scrambling for all those positions.
Your time for avoiding responsibility is closing fast. Don't blow it.
If you care to sail go out and sail your ass off.
Beware "responsible partners". If you find a person you love and they love to sail ( and they love you) get a slightly bigger boat.
Read some Lin and Larry Pardey, some Cap'n Fatty for practical living on a boat advice. Read a bit of Chapmans and Bowditch' to know some rules and jargon. Read everything by Patrick O'Brian cause if you love that it is a short cut to knowing you love the idea of sail ( and you'll have some idea of what is to be done with a spotted dick).
If you are still at the dock waiting you will miss your tide.
Get you and your boat beyond internet access, have grand adventures.
 
#65 ·
Sailorneverdies, so you are an I14 racer! I suppose you are doing your last minute packing before you travel to Toronto for your nationals next week. What is your national ranking? It will be fun to tack your regatta results. I suppose you are pretty excited about the worlds being held in Toronto this year. That should save a lot travel expenses in not having to ship your boat overseas. Good luck! Unless you have a Dutch Uncle somewhere, I doubt you will be able to snag a sponsor if you are not standing atop the podium at the end of the regatta. Remember what they said after the first America’s Cup: “There is no second place”
 
#66 ·
Sailorneverdies, so you are an I14 racer! I suppose you are doing your last minute packing before you travel to Toronto for your nationals next week. What is your national ranking? It will be fun to tack your regatta results. I suppose you are pretty excited about the worlds being held in Toronto this year. That should save a lot travel expenses in not having to ship your boat overseas. Good luck! Unless you have a Dutch Uncle somewhere, I doubt you will be able to snag a sponsor if you are not standing atop the podium at the end of the regatta. Remember what they said after the first America's Cup: "There is no second place"
Thank you so so much for the support! i just bought it last week though, im still getting to know the boat. im living with my sister right now still trying to find employment. Im hoping to hop on as a delivery crew for the marble head to Halifax race to get some experience and money.
Cheers,
Steve
 
#69 ·
Sailorneverdies, you know that the lead boats have already crossed the finish line in the Halifax race? What is your strategy for getting on a delivery crew? Walk the docks? Tall order expecting to get paid without having any experience. Most post-race deliveries are unpaid positions (I’ve done my share) and are done gratis in order to curry favor to get on as part of a regular crew (not sure why you didn’t try to get on a pre-race delivery of a Canadian boat.)
 
#71 ·
Sailorneverdies, you know that the lead boats have already crossed the finish line in the Halifax race? What is your strategy for getting on a delivery crew? Walk the docks? Tall order expecting to get paid without having any experience. Most post-race deliveries are unpaid positions (I've done my share) and are done gratis in order to curry favor to get on as part of a regular crew (not sure why you didn't try to get on a pre-race delivery of a Canadian boat.)
Two 60 footers are in, the next boat coming in should be a ker 50 footer. I have the chair for the Halifax port looking, i put up to notes in the club house and yacht club, and have been walking the dock as well. I have seven years of keel boat experience and have done a few delivery's and a work term with passenger ferry's, but nothing this exiting yet. what do you think the chances of me getting paid are? and do you think it will be worth the experience if i don't get payed?
 
#70 ·
I may have misread, but I think the OP's intent is racing, not living aboard. I'm not sure that recommending the Pardeys and Fatty are the right course, let alone Aubrey/Maturin.
 
#72 · (Edited)
How can reading the Pardeys, Cap'n Fatty or anything O'Brian/Aubrey/Maturin be anything but helpful? Thought for sure I'd get nicked on the "avoid responsibility at all costs" vibe.....but reading? Really?
By the way - what a great thread, more umbrage per hour than I've seen in a long time. The OP mentions neither racing or living aboard, nothing "misread" - this is free form projection theater....
 
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