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8K views 53 replies 14 participants last post by  Augustan 
#1 ·
I plan on dropping out of high school very soon and then I will get a full time job and just save up until I get afford a sailboat, but the only problem is once i get a sailboat and I am living on it, how will I make money for food, water, repairs, docking, gas, ect. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
#2 ·
Stay in school!!! I know that some others are going to contradict me, but for the record, sailing is not cheap. And believe it or not, some of that physics and math will come in handy when trying to figure out how much power you need for you to run the electrical systems on your boat, or perhaps getting a good job at a boatyard or marina. Or a good job elsewhere, and getting that fantastic boat...
 
#3 ·
I suggest you stay in High School and finish. While there, try to learn as much as you possibly can. Graduate and go to college. While there, try to learn as much as you can. The data is in, college grads earn significantly more money than those with only High School diplomas. If you are having a problem at your current school, speak to a counselor. Maybe they can get you placed in an alternative setting to get you past the problem. Gotta have bucks to own a boat. After all, many people say that " a boat is just a hole in the water that you throw money into".
 
#4 ·
sailing is cheap... by the standards of living on land. But as you pointed out, the cost of sailing is still more than can easily be generated from the boat. The demands it put on you make creating the income are alot greater than the discount in living you get.

Stay in school. Find something you can do at a distance, or better yet, invest in income reality. (rental homes etc) and then go sailing. Or work at ports where you can find it, and spend your life on the hook and out of the harbors, eating fish, rice, and raman.

Your call.

-- James
 
#6 ·
I can understand your situation. You might look into a GED though. They''ll let you work at your own pace, treat you as an adult, it''s easier, and takes less time.
With a GED you could go to trade school for diesel repair or refridgeration. Both trades would be in demand while out cruising.

I hated high school, went to 14, (5 in my senior year) but I graduated. Now I''ve got 3 degrees. Go figure!
 
#7 ·
If you can''t handle High School, there''s no way in hell you''re going to handle life on the water in this day and age. You''ve said it yourself, how are you going to pay for things? Why would anyone hire you if you can''t show the simple staying power of a high school education? There''s enough dummies out there now and we don''t need more. Do me a personal favor, if you do drop out, stay away from the boats!
 
#8 ·
Well yes, i know high school is somewhat important, but just because I cannot handle sitting at a desk, doesnt mean that i cant handle life on the water. I mean that isnt really important, if im living at sea, it doesnt really matter if i have a diaploma or not, i was just trying to figure out ways to make money while i am out there, there are many criminal ways of making money (smuggling drugs, Cubans,ect) but i was just wondering about some different legal ways of making money out there.
 
#9 ·
First see if you can make a living on land. Then see if you can sail. Perhaps even get a job by the sea, so you can actualy spend some time on the water, while making a living and saving some. Then go from there.

Being able to sit at a desk and take something you dont want to is perhaps the biggest skill you will need, at least to make it through to the point where you dont have to. Of course, if you keep asking, and everyone keeps giving you the same answer, and you dont like it, they must all be wrong.

-- James
 
#10 ·
Jeffamc,

I understand you wanting to quit school.I spent several years in vain trying to convince my oldest son not to drop out.He eventually did anyway.After being out a couple of years,he found out how tough it was making a living.He became frustrated that the only work he could get was minimal paying jobs,or very hard physical jobs.He decided to go back to school and get his GED.After getting it,he joined the Army.While in the Army,he''s excelled at everything he''s done and is now in the process of trying out for the special forces.Looking back on it now,I really believe my son was just bored with school.He''s super smart and I think he really just wasn''t being challenged in school in areas that were of interest to him.My advice to you is along the same lines as what I believe someone else has already mentioned to you. Get your GED,and then at least learn a trade.If you''re mechanically inclined,you might want to consider learning about diesels.A good diesal mechanic can make good pay anywhere in the world.Refrigeration on boats is also a great trade to learn that will produce good money.Get some of Nigel Calders books.The books are very good on all aspects of boat maintenance and repair.They might help you decide what type of trade would be good for you.For what you said you want to do,it seems that the ideal situation for you would be to find work at a boat yard with a tech.school close by.I hope I''ve helped you generate some ideas. Good luck!
 
#11 ·
I''m an English teacher in a public school. I may be able to add a bit of light here.

I agree with Stede. Some very smart young people just don''t fit well in a traditional school setting.
And saying that is not an excuse for quitting-for-quitting''s-sake. Others in this thread have pointed out the unalterable truth that the ability to endure unpleasant tasks, to perservere through difficult situations, and to delay your gratification builds the essential character trait of maturity that replaces the impulsiveness and selfishness of childhood and yields the kind of adults that we all want in a civilized world. I will summarize that sentiment as "You will discover that life is hard; and people without some kind of education don''t advance as far, as a rule, as those who have one." That idea is well-received, and can be counted as Wisdom that All Young People Should Heed.

Having said all that, Stede is also right when he stresses that (given that you are adamant about leaving the public schools, and just as adamant about cruising to far places) learning a trade (which I submit is a kind of eduction) that will be in demand in the cruising community will be essential, and diesel and refrigeration skills top the list. I''m sure that if Robin Lee Graham had those skills, he wouldn''t have had to dig through a trash heap for a pair of boots that would allow him to work at the power plant in Darwin just to finance the next leg of his circumnavigation. Working with tools and skills is better than working with back and arms.

By the way, get a copy of his book, Dove, which is still a classic for young sailors filled with wanderlust.

It''s also been expressed in this thread that many young people who are frustrated in school discover that they are actually capable students once they are learning something they have a reason to learn. Motivation is a powerful conditioner of behavior.

In concert with your parents and your counselor, you might aim at the completetion of the GED diploma. If this is going to be your senior year, and you are very far behind in credits, using this year preparing for the GED exam may be more productive than trying to make up credits toward a conventional HS diploma. Everyone''s situation is unique, but approaching your folks with a well thought-out plan that they can see the reason in could be a good first step.

Good Luck to you.
Jeff
 
#12 ·
As I told my kids when they were thinking of dropping-out: "Go ahead, the world needs ditch-diggers too."

As it turned out, my oldest did, but within four months she was attending evening classes to get her GED. She now admits, mom and dad were right when we told her how tough it was to live without a HS diploma. Heck, it''s not much easier with one, but at least it can get you a decent job, from which you might be able to move upward.

Like you, she didn''t care for the school structure and she didn''t like many of her teachers. However, she soon found out that the "school of hard-knocks" had even worse teachers, and the care-free (do it at your own pace) structure was hard to continue for an extended period of time. As it turns out, she finally settled down (grew up) and earned her GED and then a BA.

Hopefully, you too will grow up. However, if not, be prepared to do menial jobs (like cleaning out holding tanks, scrubbing and painting boat bottoms, and other jobs that aren''t particularly challenging) for a very long time, or at least till a younger dummy comes along. Be careful, cause he/she may replace you, and you may not even get hired for the lousy jobs you did before.

No one said getting an education is easy. Also, no one said good jobs are easy to find. Ever wonder why the good jobs usually get taken by folks with an education? It''s usually because they''ve proved they could stick it out to get that higher education. That usually translates to "They have proved worthy of holding the better (high-paying) job." Whether that true or not doesn''t matter. That what most employers think, and that''s what really matters.

Back when I was in the Navy, I saw lots of poorly educated folks working on the ship. They were hard working guys without which the Navy would come to an abrupt halt. As hard working as they were, they were kept busy doing menial work and were never asked to make meaniful decisions. That was probably fine by them, as they probably didn''t think they could anyway. They were happy to be getting three squares a day, and a place to sleep. For them, what more was there to life? As the saying goes, "Ignorance is bliss."

Well it sounds like you currently think "Ignorance is bliss." I hope for your sake it will be true. However, I sorry to tell you, but the odds are stacked way against you. In any event, I wish you the best of luck - cause (IMO) you''ll need it.

~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
 
#13 ·
Hindsight has told me that school is more about classes and grades. It''s also a time to begin to develop more sophisticated interpersonal and communication skills. It''s a time to mature as well.

This isn''t something that can be rushed, and it is something that will affect you, for better or worse, for the rest of your life.

Finish HS or the GED. How old will you be three years from now if you don''t (hint: same age as if you do, but without the diploma).
 
#17 ·
Author: Jeffamc
I plan on dropping out of high school very soon and then I will get a full time job and just save up until I get afford a sailboat, but the only problem is once i get a sailboat and I am living on it, how will I make money for food, water, repairs, docking, gas, ect. Anyone have any suggestions?
_____________________________________________

If you consider what you have to offer to an employer in the way of useful skills, how much do you think an employer would be willing to pay for those skills?

When you consider your costs to do the job; clothes, travel, meals, tools, etc., how much money do you expect to bring home?

After you meet your living expenses, how much will be left over to save for your boat? How many years will it take for you to accumulate $5,000? $10,000? $20,000?

On his twenty-fifth birthday, every young man looks into the mirror and sees his reflection, and a lot more. He also sees what he has accomplished in his life. At this point, many young men smile and say, "I''m off to a great start and my future is looking good." Too many others scowl and complain that life is tough and they can''t get a break. They realize that the decisions they made have hurt them in so many ways, but they try to shift the blame elsewhere -- their parents were at fault, the schools were no good, the teachers didn''t care, the guys they hung out with were just losers. But the world knows where th blame lies.

To a great extent, the only thing that separates these two groups is their level of education.

By this time, all are pretty much set in their ways and won''t change. And neither will the road to their future.

Forget, for a moment, where you are now and ask yourself where you would want to be at age 25. If you will be content to remain on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder with little hope of rising, then do exactly what you wrote in your post. If, on the other hand, you want more than that, then you have to prepare yourself for it.

You cannot possibly know how difficult life is for folks who are undereducated. As someone once observed, "Every day, it gets tougher to make a buck."

Do yourself a favor. Look around and see the difference between those who took education seriously and those who didn''t. Then get off your butt, get the lead out, stop moaning, and start taking education seriously.

As someone already pointed out, no matter how you slice it, three years from now, you''ll be 21 without a diploma. With the right kind of effort, you could be 21 with a diploma.

You must have noticed that no one has supported your decision to deliberately become less than you can be. In different ways, everyone has encouraged you to be the best that you can be.

Look around. Are those who make it through high school any better than you? Do you really think that you are inferior to them?

Remember, you''re the one who makes the decisions that effect your life.
 
#18 ·
Jeffamc,

I think you are very lucky. You have gotten some EXCELLENT advice from every one who has answered you. Stay in school, if possible, or learn a good trade: electrician, plumber, diesel mechanic. I''m in middle-age now and and have seen friends say things just like you have.

Some of them have gotten their act together, gone to school, worked hard and worked their way up. I don''t know anyone who can''t say that they wish they had gotten a better education. These people worked very, very hard to get to the point in life where they can enjoy the prosperity that most people do enjoy in this country; a car, a house, a wife and kids--well-fed and happy, TVs, CD players, backyards.

Others have rebelled at the system and gotten angry when they find themselves at 45 years old and can''t afford to keep their cars running and no one wants to help them because they tired of bailing out someone who refuses to manage his own life properly.

You said, "I read books on my own, i dont like being dictated opon by some lady or some facist." I know what you''re saying, but life in a port has more to do with obeying authority that you may think. If this country is tough, remember that out there governments can be very fickle towards you and very uncaring and very, very corrupt. And if you even begin to consider relying on criminal behavior, such as smuggling, as an acceptable means of keeping your life of freedom on the water, you must know up front that you may have to pay a penalty far greater than being dictated upon by some lady or facist. Many countries are very big on prisons and have no public defenders office.

Don''t waste you chances at a life of happiness. Stay in school, or at least get a good trade. You''ll be happy you did.

Best of fortunes to you,
Chas
 
#19 ·
Jeffamc

I''m sure I dropped out of high school for the same reasons you are. You are not challenged by the classes, you have a counselor that is advising you to do things that don''t make sense... But I also spent 10 years trying to catch up to my peers. At almost 40 years old I have achieved the level of accomplishment that I would have at 30. I know you don''t want to hear it, but suck it up, stay in school and then re-evaluate. You''ll look back 20 years from now and realize how easy it was.
 
#21 ·
Here’s a plan. This is what I’d do if I could do it all over again.

Number One: Stay in school. Believe me, it’s worth it. Deal with the BS and put it behind you. I’ll let the other’s advice make it clear on that part.

Number Two (and I’ll be blunt): Keep your dick in your pants! Weekly payments of court ordered child support will mess up your plans for at least 18 years. Compound that with a lack of education and you’ll never go sailing!

Number Three: This may sound dumb taking into account the reason for this thread, but after you’ve graduated high school, you should do a hitch in the military. It doesn’t matter what branch, the Marines would probably be your best choice to fit your later plans. There’s plenty of adventure and you’ll gain a lot both mentally and physically. The veteran’s benefits will be a big help to you after your tour and it will open some important doors for you that would otherwise remain closed.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll be around 21 or 22, take a backpack and sleeping bag and hike up into the mountains for a couple of weeks. Now that you have prepared yourself for the future, you can meditate on which of the many roads you want your life to take, and if sailing is still your choice, we’d welcome you into the brotherhood with open arms.

So, being a sailor starts today. Staying in school is what you, the sailor, should do.
 
#22 ·
pirate

I never thought we would see anything with such total agreement. You were ver elequent I hope this young man will take our advice and become a man before he makes sailing his total life. Not that he still can''t sail he will have summers and (Dang that military idea is great) 30 days leave a year. His life won''t end staying in school it is just begining.
 
#25 ·
I believe that Jeffamc has last posted on the "drugs" thread trying to come up with novel ways to outwit the DEA, Coast Guard and other authorities. I didn''t pick up on it at first,but I believe that he also started that thread on what would happen if you brought drugs into foreign ports...
I guess he doesn''t REALLY want any constructive advice...
 
#26 ·
oh im here, yea thanks for all your advice. I got a job yeasterday at kfc(even though i stoped eating meat a few months ago, now im gonna be cooking it, oh well, its a job). But i will be saving money and trying not to spend much. School, yea i know, i should finish it, its just that im far behind and all my friends are going to be graduating, this year and i will still be there for a few years if i dont quit, it just depresses me. But i look at it, i will be saving money at kfc, then i will get a better job somewhere because i will be 18 in a few months and be able to save more-pumping gas or delivering pizza''s, ect. suppose i was saving $250 a week thats $12,000 a year so in a few years like when im 21-22 years old i could get a decent sailboat mabey a 27-32footer that is good for coastal and offshore cruising. i could probably find someone that will chip in some or at least just go with me.
 
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