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noob question

2715 Views 23 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  vega1860
Hi. I'm not sure if this is the right forum to pose this question, but would greatly appreciate any feedback.

So I recently retired from the military and have big dreams of cruising as a lifestyle. I sailed lasers on a lake as a kid, but that's as far as my sailing experience goes. I've read some and realize the best way to get up to speed is to take lessons and join a crew, to not only see if it's really what I want but also to gain experience.

While I plan to do those things, if I were to try to get a job in the sailing world, where should I start to best prepare to live my dream?

Being a military retiree, I'm not wealthy, but I also don't need a full-time/career type job, unless it is more beneficial to pursuing my dream than, say, a part-time job at a sailing gear shop.

Due to family obligations, I can't join a crew in the near future, but I do live in Los Angeles.

Any advice? Thank you.
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There is a lot to be said for buying a smallish boat and just going sailing. Get someone who knows what they are doing to go out with you on the first day to show you the ropes.

This was the route I took, bought a Catalina 22 and just started sailing it. Be cautious, reef really early and go and have some fun.
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One of the areas that you can get work is the charter business, specifically as a skipper / cook combo taking people out on skippered charters.

You will need some quals, and be able to demonstrate competance. Also they prefer to hire 'established' couples.

Moorings are reckoned to be the best employers so get to cherry pick the skippers/cooks but do a year with someone else and you can get in.

But I could not do it. 4 out of 5 trips will be great. However you will be ready to kill the charters by day two. I have never coped well with fools and a********s.
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