[travlin-easy]

There seems to be a lot of wannabee cruisers on this and other forums, most of which will never become full-time cruisers. The vast majority of those that I have met over the past decade that are full-time cruisers usually had unique and very marketable skills, or had bankrolled lots of money during their working lives and spending the interest while cruising. Living on Social Security is darned near impossible, but I have come across several elderly couples that live aboard quite comfortably using this as their sole source of income. These individuals are usually tied to a dock, or mooring ball, have great, year round dockage rates and rarely spend time at nite clubs or expensive restaurants.

I know one guy in Boot Key Harbor who is a retired engineer. Shortly after he retired, his company called and asked him to return to work. When he turned them down, they said how about just being a consultant, to which he agreed. He works from his boat using a laptop, fax machine and sat phone. He only works two days a week, and often makes more at consulting than he did when he worked full time, plus he no longer has to commute to Boston.

At one time, I was a full-time, freelance writer, but the print media dried up, fishing in the Mid-Atlantic region went to hell, so I decided to go back to playing music and singing for a living, which was one of the smarter things I've done in my life. It's also a lot more fun than writing and meeting deadlines, and I can usually find work everyplace I've sailed in the US. Unfortunately, the pay scale in the warmer southern climates is lousy, but for the most part, the tips are pretty good, which kinda offsets the lousy pay rate.

So, for all you younger wannabees, now is the time to begin making plans for when you raise the sails and point the bow of the boat south for the winter months. Don't wait till you're too old and infirm to man the helm. My only regret is that I didn't do this 30 years ago.

Cheers,

Gary

 

[Uricanejack]

I guess I am a wanabeee

I work for all the usual reasons. I cruise for a few weeks each year. Retirement is still a distant horizon.

For the moment I go sailing to get away and relax. While I would like to be able to sail of further for longer. I suspect if I was to required to make a living while cruising. It would become like work and I would want to get away from cruising to relax.

I did sail as an instructor at one time and may go back to it again in the future. I never was able to convince my wife I was working when away sailing. A big part of the reason I enjoyed it. Was I did not have to do it. Instructing was entirely separate to my real life and a way to relax. Latter when kids came along I just did not have the free time to continue.

When I was young and without commitments I was able to spend a lot of time sailing on sail training vessels. It was volunteer time for me rather than a paid position. Provided me with a purpose when out of work. It never was work though. I was something I enjoyed and took part in just for the enjoyment.

If I found some method of making a living at sailing, I suspect sailing would become a job. An enjoyable job but a job none the less. Having to sail to a schedule and locations which are not my choice.

Cruising I sail when I want, where I want, with who I want.

I will carry on dreaming of the day when I can actually afford it.

 

[titustiger27]

I've read several books on cruising -- memoir types. A few make extra money by: a) writing, b) consulting; c) the occasional barter.

I often wonder about c. It seems like people are getting their motors fixed by other cruisers for free.. a current book there was a guy who had a tool and die set up in his boat... I wondered if that guy would charge.

I don't have a travel profession... but it seems like if you promoted yourself you could do several professions --- like chiropractor or diesel mechanic

---
but if you are a musician... couple question.. can you always make it to you gigs? are their perks, like can you contract a gig where you also get free docking?

 

[RobGallagher]

I know I'm gonna kick myself in the end, but I'll probably never be able to afford to retire in the lifestyle that would make me happy.

I'm too busy traveling and drinking good scotch NOW. I take long vacations and live a pretty good life.

I can deal roulette, craps, cards, cook, and bartend. That will keep me in beer money and sailing till I'm too old to walk, but probably never cruising full time.

 

[titustiger27]

I know I'm gonna kick myself in the end, but I'll probably never be able to afford to retire in the lifestyle that would make me happy.

I'm too busy traveling and drinking good scotch NOW. I take long vacations and live a pretty good life.

I can deal roulette, craps, cards, cook, and bartend. That will keep me in beer money and sailing till I'm too old to walk, but probably never cruising full time.

ahhhh good scotch, I had a blended and water the other day and couldn't believe I ever drank the stuff...

Hopefully you are fit enough to kick yourself. I am in that perspective now... probably not as much sailing as you...but living the good life and education... books and toys.. to the point to pay off my house and student loan I have to work at least until I am 67, most of the men in my family die at that age (albeit they were smokers and I am not).

I toast you tonight with box wine: "May death get to you before poverty, but not a second sooner!"

 

[capta]

My suggestion for a good cruising income would be as a canvas/cushion maker. If one kept the prices within reason, and the quality high, I'm sure there is more than enough work from fellow cruisers repairing biminis, sails, making cockpit cushions, etc, and making simple awnings and covers.
This is one field that is way overpriced for the work involved. A reasonably priced canvas shop is a true gem of a find.
It only requires a good sewing machine, threads, snap/grommet tools and bits. The material is available almost everywhere and folks could supply their own, if one preferred. And of course the ability to sew well.

 

[Minnewaska]

If there was a mechanical skill that I thought might be marketable while cruising, I would pick refrigeration, followed by diesel. Both can be learned in adult ed classes.

I pick hvac for two reason. First, tooling is probably easier to store aboard than all the the specialty tools you'd likely need to work on a variety of diesels. Secondly, a man will pay, when his beer is getting warm or his wife is upset that the air conditioning isn't working.

 

[capta]

If there was a mechanical skill that I thought might be marketable while cruising, I would pick refrigeration, followed by diesel. Both can be learned in adult ed classes.

I pick hvac for two reason. First, tooling is probably easier to store aboard than all the the specialty tools you'd likely need to work on a variety of diesels. Secondly, a man will pay, when his beer is getting warm or his wife is upset that the air conditioning isn't working.

I have also considered this one as a side income, because it is lucrative and in demand, if you are good, but in the end it required too much gear to be purchased and carried aboard.
First there's several 20# cylinders of gas to store. Marine refrigeration and air conditioning have few interchangeable parts with shoreside units. Therefore, you are going to have to have an extensive parts inventory for numerous units, or you are going to have to rely on long distance shipping, which will cost significant money or time, whichever way one chooses to go.
I've always hated getting into a relatively simple job for someone else that takes a couple of weeks because one part has to be shipped in.
On the other hand, from personal experience just recently, 4 out of 4 techs, at considerable expense mind you, failed miserably to diagnose and repair a fairly simple problem on our refrigeration system. My wife got mad, read an article online, diagnosed the problem and we had a refer tech manufacture and install a new receiver.
If you can find one, a good refer tech is worth his/her weight in gold! Too bad most of us can't afford one.

 

[travlin-easy]

but if you are a musician... couple question.. can you always make it to you gigs? are their perks, like can you contract a gig where you also get free docking?

In many instances, you can get free dockage at locations where you perform. I had a deal worked out with one location in Marathon, but the venue changed hands with new management and is no longer open to the public. Consequently, that particular deal disappeared.

Unfortunately, many music venues book their performers 3 months in advance, therefore you'll have to do some legwork prior to your arrival to get booked. This is not always the case, but during snowbird season, musical entertainers seem to come out of the woodwork. Most are not very good and not professional, but a handful of them are quite talented.

One thing I almost forgot, good musicians are a dime a dozen nationwide. In this instance you must be an entertainer and singer as well or you will not find work. Yep, you must be a one man/woman band, have the ability to read an audience, and able to perform a wide variety of songs ranging from country to rock. You must be able to perform the songs that were popular when your audience members were 15 to 40 years of age, and do them as close to the original song as possible. DJs and Karaoke entertainers will not find a lot of jobs in the islands of the US and other resort areas - live entertainers are in high demand, though.

The average rate of pay ranges $100 to $150 for a 3-hour performance. Some will also provide you with a free dinner and beverages. If you are in the very talented category, you can work as much as you desire. I'm only working two days a week in Marathon, but that's really all I wish to work. I would rather have fun doing nothing more than fishing, riding my bicycle, and finding other ways of pissing away my children's inheritance.

If you love neat day sails, snorkeling, recreational fishing, all in beautifully clear water, this is the best part of the US to cruise. Unfortunately, when tourist season ends sometime around the end of April, most of the jobs down here pretty much cease to exist. Some venues actually close down for the summer and do not reopen till mid November.

There are several web sites that list all the restaurants and nite spots where musical entertainment is available. Put together a contact list, call them, ask for the manager, and send them a quality advertising package, one that includes a cover letter, CD, song list, photo, business card and recommendations if you have them. If you have a web site that portrays your performances, including You Tube videos, by all means include this information as well. All of these things will help you pick up jobs along your cruising route. The only drawback is that you will have to sail on a schedule, which can be quite a challenge when the weather fails to cooperate.

Good luck,

Gary

 

[RobGallagher]

ahhhh good scotch, I had a blended and water the other day and couldn't believe I ever drank the stuff...

Hopefully you are fit enough to kick yourself. I am in that perspective now... probably not as much sailing as you...but living the good life and education... books and toys.. to the point to pay off my house and student loan I have to work at least until I am 67, most of the men in my family die at that age (albeit they were smokers and I am not).

I toast you tonight with box wine: "May death get to you before poverty, but not a second sooner!"

And Cheers to you!

I work with a guy who just turned 70. He has more energy than two people.

 

[travlin-easy]

Rob, those of us in the old codger category have to work circles around the youngsters - we don't have enough time remaining in our lives to work slower.

Gary

 

[MikeOReilly]

Me and my lovely wife are slowly shifting life to full-timers. We'll be land homeless come the summer, and are slowly making our way out to the east coast. We're going slow and enjoying the journey.

The money thing is the big uncertainty for us. I have some portable skills (writing, design, photography), and I'm not a bad electrician. I'm learning lots about diesel engines (sadly), and am starting to sew more and more. I expect to continue making a few shekels from various sources, but mostly we're trying to keep expenses minimal until government and private pensions start to kick in.

We could have waited for another 10 years, but we've decided to get out while our bodies are still relatively young, and see if we can figure it out. If not, well, Walmart is always hiring .

I wish I was talented as Gary. I can sing, and can play a decent bodhrán, but I'll have to learn how to be the one-man-band that Gary is. Ever consider taking on students Gary? I'll be down your way ... eventually.

 

[Sal Paradise]

Also a question of perception, as a transient guy on a boat fixing engines might be seen as taking some one else's job away whereas a guy in a pickup offering his services is seen more as a local buisness.

 

[vega1860]

"you can have everything your heart desires in life if you will but help enough other people get the things that they want." Zig Ziglar

It has been working out pretty well for us.

 

[travlin-easy]

Be glad to assist you, Mike. Hope to see you later this summer as you slowly make your way south. Let me know when you are in the area and I'll make the Margarettes.

Gary

 

[MikeOReilly]

Be glad to assist you, Mike. Hope to see you later this summer as you slowly make your way south. Let me know when you are in the area and I'll make the Margarettes.

Gary

Sounds good Gary, but it won't be this summer. Maybe 2016. We've decided to linger in Lake Ontario this year b/c we have waaay too much to do getting out of our house (complicated story). Then we're planning to linger in Newfoundland for a year or so. But I'll get there ... eventually.

 

[rugosa]

I can't carry a tune but I can carry a tool box. Plenty of marine experience installing and troubleshooting, not a stretch to acquire HVAC training, and perhaps I can pick up canvas skills from a local shop. Being a Realtor means I can't take 4-6 months off and realistically expect anybody to want a part timer (there are already plenty of those spinning their wheels) when I return. I know I wouldn't hire me under that scenario. So the move to full time live aboard or coastal cruiser for us will really be a seasonal venture where we lay boat up ashore south May to November and return to Canada for summer work. This of course will all change when Canada joins the US and the 49th as a boundary ceases to exist.

 

[travlin-easy]

The busiest entrepreneurs in Marathon City Marina's shops were the folks making sails and doing canvas work. They were working every day, and doing some really fine work. In order to work on someone's boat, though, they had to have insurance be bonded, which was mandated by the city of Marathon.

There were a couple divers that scrubbed boat bottoms and they got $2 a foot for this. They worked every day of the week and often did up to 5 boats a day. They also scrubbed dinks as well.

Outboard repair guys kept fairly busy, and diesel repair guys were in high demand all the time. There were only a handful of gasoline engine repair guys in the entire Florida Keys region and they were in extremely high demand.

The guy that constructed my cockpit enclosure was booked three months in advance, and was a live aboard on the other side of the island. He said he stayed busy during tourist season, but worked somewhere else during the summer months.

Cheers,

Gary

 

[titustiger27]

In many instances, you can get free dockage at locations where you perform. I had a deal worked out with one location in Marathon, but the venue changed hands with new management and is no longer open to the public. Consequently, that particular deal disappeared.

Unfortunately, many music venues book their performers 3 months in advance, therefore you'll have to do some legwork prior to your arrival to get booked. This is not always the case, but during snowbird season, musical entertainers seem to come out of the woodwork. Most are not very good and not professional, but a handful of them are quite talented.

One thing I almost forgot, good musicians are a dime a dozen nationwide. In this instance you must be an entertainer and singer as well or you will not find work. Yep, you must be a one man/woman band, have the ability to read an audience, and able to perform a wide variety of songs ranging from country to rock. You must be able to perform the songs that were popular when your audience members were 15 to 40 years of age, and do them as close to the original song as possible. DJs and Karaoke entertainers will not find a lot of jobs in the islands of the US and other resort areas - live entertainers are in high demand, though.

The average rate of pay ranges $100 to $150 for a 3-hour performance. Some will also provide you with a free dinner and beverages. If you are in the very talented category, you can work as much as you desire. I'm only working two days a week in Marathon, but that's really all I wish to work. I would rather have fun doing nothing more than fishing, riding my bicycle, and finding other ways of pissing away my children's inheritance.

If you love neat day sails, snorkeling, recreational fishing, all in beautifully clear water, this is the best part of the US to cruise. Unfortunately, when tourist season ends sometime around the end of April, most of the jobs down here pretty much cease to exist. Some venues actually close down for the summer and do not reopen till mid November.

There are several web sites that list all the restaurants and nite spots where musical entertainment is available. Put together a contact list, call them, ask for the manager, and send them a quality advertising package, one that includes a cover letter, CD, song list, photo, business card and recommendations if you have them. If you have a web site that portrays your performances, including You Tube videos, by all means include this information as well. All of these things will help you pick up jobs along your cruising route. The only drawback is that you will have to sail on a schedule, which can be quite a challenge when the weather fails to cooperate.

Good luck,

Gary

I used to book bands for an outdoor concert series... one of the things that was high on my list is what the musicians brought to the table. As an example there was a guy who with his son and another guy played folk/blue grass (His son was an olympic athlete too). I didn't think they were that good, though it wasn't the kind of music I liked.. anyhow I always booked them because when they showed up, the son would have 20-30 friends and family members... just those folks filled the park and made it worth it

Do you play accordion? You could become the pied piper of the cruise docks.. walk through the marina playing and say follow me to fun...

 

[titustiger27]

Be glad to assist you, Mike. Hope to see you later this summer as you slowly make your way south. Let me know when you are in the area and I'll make the Margarettes.

Gary

Sounds good Gary, but it won't be this summer. Maybe 2016. We've decided to linger in Lake Ontario this year b/c we have waaay too much to do getting out of our house (complicated story). Then we're planning to linger in Newfoundland for a year or so. But I'll get there ... eventually.

Maybe together you could organize little Music Festivals.... I'm doing something like that on land... I have written murder mysteries and in one town when we perform we sell out, so I am getting the town to put on a murder mystery weekend... everyone is buying into it... so far..