Monetary Issues At Sea

[Mike Krebs]

I am very new to this lifestyle. My question is: How do you make or have money when you spend such long times at sea?

By long I mean the people who took world cruising up full time, or spend 5+ years circumnavigating.

Are you making money while at sea?

Did you work and save all your life to get to this point?

Born into the right family?

Do you charter to make some extra cash? Always, Occasionally, not at all?

I ask because I want to get on a long term boat trip, but cant afford to pay "shared expenses" the whole time unless I have money coming in. Also, many boats dont want to pay me yet or not charge me at all. Either would be fine.

Any advice? Ideas? I am only 24. So ought I save as much as possible for 25 years and buy a boat then?

New guy thanks you all. While not rich, I am a hard worker who appreciates everything I've earned in life.

Also, anxious to start a cruising lifestyle, but need some advice. I look forward to reading your answers.

Best Regards,

MIKE

[Lynx]

I was not born in it and did not have the cash. I plan and am making the money to go cruising. It takes a willingness to do what it takes, like working 84 hrs a week in rough conditions for several years and giving up comforts for years to be able to go. Or you get an education and make the money and then go.

Another thing is to change your plans, instead of getting a blue water cruiser fixed up to go ocean, just go coastal with a small boat. The point is, there is ways to get out there. Every boat is a compromise.

There is people who cruise Lakes and Rivers in 22 foot sail boats bought for $ 2000 or less. After you have the boat paid for and refurbished to the conditions that you will cruise in, you will needs less than $ 750 US dollars per month.

If you want to go now, get involved on any forum that you can, get some training, get your stuff down to 2 duffel bags and get everything ready to leave within 8 hrs notice, a passport and enough money to get yourself to any port plus some spending money. Hang around any place that has boats Fri, Sat and Sun mornings with a small gear bag, Dressed like you want to go sailing and let the dock master know that you are willing to crew and help out any boat when you can. Stay healthy and in shape. About every 2 months I see somebody wanting a crewmenber to go with them on a right now basis. You just need to be able to take off. Caution, some captians are not worth it. Most are.

Manners - Well, the best that you can. Don't lick your fingures and bite the forks, Do wash your hands and come your hair. Smile, learn how to tell clean jokes (books help). Always ask for a better way of doing something if you think that somebody objects or you don't know. The cruising people can be a tight group and after you are known (good and bad), you may start getting calls.

[Swagman]

We made ours before being prepared to head off - but thats an older persons trait.

In my opinion - very few make money when underway travelling.

One can earn in some spots if you've a skill that is internationally transportable (nurse perhaps, or in the building trade). All usually those kinds of skills that are sought under short term contracts.

You can also earn small change if you've specialist marine skills.

A good engineer or electronics person who makes those skills available to other cruisers is always welcomed on board other boats with problems. But don't forget you might be competing with other cruisers who offer similar advice etc almost free - so it will always be small change stuff - and not always available.

Practically. I think the best way to ease into the cruising life is to secure higer paid contract work for say 6 months, work hard and top up a kitty, and when enough off you go for a year or so without worries.

When it runs out - do it again.

Our eldest son did this for several years and explored the world in relative comfort.

Good luck

JOHN

[JeanneP]

Here are a few choices from cruisers we've met.

Earning as they go:

Chef, busboy, waiter, etc. in food industry in busier tourist destinations.

Steward on ferries and day-charter cruises for tourists.

Skills that cruising boats need and will pay for: shipwright, refrigeration expert, electrician, diesel mechanic.

Cruising writer, photographer. We met a young couple who were established writers who sold their scuba diving articles and photos to support their cruising. Both were in their 20s.

Donald Street and Phil Doyle wrote cruising guides of the Caribbean. Don's primary means of earning a living, though, was selling Imray Iolare charts to chandleries, and also (I believe) selling insurance. Doyle had a large schooner and took out day charters. A friend of ours lived on his trimaran in the Caribbean and sold Hawaiian Tropic products throughout the caribbean.

Our friend Shel was a merchant mariner, and he would sign onto ships to replenish his finances, then take off for six months to two years cruising, then sign on again when he needed more money again.

Many cruisers make extra money working as delivery skippers. This of course only works for experienced sailors.

Then there are the people who made their money on land and retired to go cruising. I'm not an investment adviser, but for many of the cruisers we met from various countries, investments in real estate (rental properties) or various businesses provided the income for them to cruise.

There is a huge industry, particularly in the Caribbean and the Med, of professional crew for megayachts, and I understand that the money is quite good. I just picked up a new magazine called "CrewLife" that is focused on this market. http://www.crew-life.com/

I think I've only scratched the surface.

[Mike Krebs]

Thank you for the great responses so far. I know there is a way for me to do this, I just need to figure out what mine is. It does seem like everyone does it differently. I must say though, I always here from older people: do it while your young. So that is my encouragement.

I just realized how realistic this is. And since the people on here are in the life everyday, what other ways have you heard to finance a long term cruising adventure?

MIKE

[JeanneP]

Another one. A friend went to work for a sailmaker so he could learn how to repair sails and make all those fabric things that yachts need - biminis, dodgers, dinghy covers, and so forth. He bought a professional sewing machine and worked everywhere. he did work for various boats in an anchorage, as well as for shoreside tourist-related businesses. or worked in a sail loft sometimes.

We met several cruisers who carried sewing machines so they could do work from their boat to earn money.

Then a talented woman silk-screened t-shirts from her boat. Another baked and sold the stuff. A few made jewelry.

Talents, skills, lots that can translate into income while cruising.

Where in the States are you located? Near the boating industry?

[Mike Krebs]

I am in west palm beach Florida. I did post in the crew looking for boats forum. I would be happy to do weekend work.

I'll start there and see what happens.

http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/ind...showtopic=3219

trying to get feet in the door...

Thank you alll for your help.

[contessa sisy]

Originally Posted by Mike Krebs

I am in west palm beach Florida. I did post in the crew looking for boats forum. I would be happy to do weekend work.

I'll start there and see what happens.

http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/ind...showtopic=3219

trying to get feet in the door...

Thank you alll for your help.

Hi Mike

dont wait until u"ll be retired..

did you heard about passive income?

thats your solution and mine too

read some very good books from Robert G Allan or R. Kiyosaki and find out what method is best for you..

i choose MLM system (not amway )and doing very well...that business helps me buy a new boat, and also give me income for years...

off course, that is not a business for quick money but long term planning...well minimum 2-3 yrs

sorry for my kitchen english )))