Are Poeple Still Cruising In This Economy?

[redskiesatnight]

Hello,

I am planning on going down to Mexico after Christmas to start looking for cruising boats to crew on for the next year. I have already left my job and I am in the final processes of leaving home.

My concern is that with the current economic situation people might not be out there cruising. Will I still be able to find boats to crew on?

Any insight would be much appreciated!!

-Willy

[MMNETSEA]

Hello Willy, aka Redskiesatnight,

Good question, I guess the cruisers that call their boats their home, will certainly be moving from one place to another - plenty of them.

You might start by posting your plans in the forum 'Crew looking for positions' - give as much detail about yourself that you feel will be useful for skippers looking for crew.

Good luck

Richard

[wiskun]

Our friends just left San Diego for Mexico. She said LOTs of boats joined the Baja Ha Ha to Mexico - can't remember the number, but over 100 for sure.

[Trim50]

We were in Cabo when they (Ha-Ha-ers) pulled in...lots of boats still cruising.. 181 total this year! Personally I believe cruising during an economic down turn is a good plan as long as you finish the cruise as the economy is well on its way to recovery. This will make it easier to get jobs upon returning.

Some good friends that returned last year from a circumnavigation are still looking for jobs and said they wished they had stayed out a few years longer.

[redbopeep]

Originally Posted by Trim50

Some good friends that returned last year from a circumnavigation are still looking for jobs and said they wished they had stayed out a few years longer.

I've heard similar. Now is a great time to be cruising. Expect it to stay that way for 2009-2010.

Good cruising to all

[mico]

Originally Posted by Trim50

We were in Cabo when they (Ha-Ha-ers) pulled in...lots of boats still cruising.. 181 total this year! Personally I believe cruising during an economic down turn is a good plan as long as you finish the cruise as the economy is well on its way to recovery. This will make it easier to get jobs upon returning.

Some good friends that returned last year from a circumnavigation are still looking for jobs and said they wished they had stayed out a few years longer.

Couldn't agree more!

Rent out the house, sell the car, surrender the leased pen (There's a saving of $6000 for the year), and head out into the blue. Mind you, we'll save far more than any of these by simply putting a lot of sea miles between us and the nearest ships chandlery store. Although that will mean we won't be able to claim them as dependants on our income tax return next financial year!

Count down mode here as we get the life raft serviced and install the last of the new toys - 2 months to go - anyone recommend a good patisserie in New Caledonia?

Fair winds

[redskiesatnight]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words!! Keep 'em coming!

Fair winds to all!

-willy

[roverhi]

Actually, my question would have been is not going cruising. With the economy in the dumps, what better time to go off sailing. Did SoPac in '74-'76 and missed that lovely economic time. Got back just in time to get the uptick in the economy. Suffered through the 80 crash. Found a seller who'd trade his Valiant 47 plus cash for our house. Figured we could cruise for a couple of years and sell the boat for a profit when we got back. Unfortunately, wife nixed that idea and came within a hair of going bankrupt keeping my business aflloat. Would have been dollars way ahead if we'd gone cruising. This one I'm going up the inside passage to Alaska.

Aloha

Peter O.

[redbopeep]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Aloha

Peter O.

I'm with you Peter. Roll with the punches--cruising now is a great thing to be doing