Marine refrigeration career

[hellosailor]

Onestep- Actually, the EPA allows (last time I checked) for anyone who holds a resale license, to buy and resell refrigerant gasses with no license necessary. Normally, anyone with a business in any state will have a resale (sales tax) license, and that's all it takes to buy a carload of R12 or anything else.


Now in theory, they've also got to RESELL it again. But in practice? Ah, there's no one checking on that. And with internet sellers (who sometimes sell real goods, other times not) who's going to check that my 20 year old Passaic NJ resale license is real? Once they've got what looks real, they're off the hook.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I'm licensed HVAC, high pressure I think is what the license says.
I've never charged anyone for it, and do very little work period, so I am no expert
But I'll second the better the electrician you are, the better HVAC tech you will be, very often the problem lies in the controls, inadequate wiring or high resistance connections etc., often there is nothing wrong with system, it's an electrical issue and people will often try to solve an electrical issue by adding refrigerant, especially if they are new at it.

+1,000 Even Richard says that 99% of all refrig problems are electrical. Read his website as suggested. He has a whole page on it.

[Ex-Calif]

Not sure the volume of work is there to keep one well fed focused on HVAC however lots of folks talk about rewiring their boat.

If I were to do HVAC I would become well versed in DC & AC electricity, boat electronic systems (Plotters, sounders etc) as well as HVAC. Maybe if work volume is still low you could add a welding cert.

I would still be worried about scratching out a living in the boating community - most of us are cheap b@st@rds.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

I would still be worried about scratching out a living in the boating community - most of us are cheap b@st@rds.

Sail boaters like us...yes.
Power boaters not like us...well not so much.

[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

I would still be worried about scratching out a living in the boating community - most of us are cheap b@st@rds.

FINALLY! A man unafraid to speak the truth! Doesn't auger well for any of our "Earning a living while cruising" hopefuls.

[SV THIRD DAY]

True...
But we cheap asses are not the majority of the cruising fleet to be honest.
I see cruisers paying for oil changes, bilge pump installs, and things us "el cheapos" wouldn't dream of blowing money on. So there is some money in the cruising fleet, you just have to know where to look...the new shiney boats that all of the el cheapos badmouth as not being "blue water"...ha ha ha

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

FINALLY! A man unafraid to speak the truth! Doesn't auger well for any of our "Earning a living while cruising" hopefuls.

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

True...
But we cheap asses are not the majority of the cruising fleet to be honest.
I see cruisers paying for oil changes, bilge pump installs, and things us "el cheapos" wouldn't dream of blowing money on. So there is some money in the cruising fleet, you just have to know where to look...the new shiney boats that all of the el cheapos badmouth as not being "blue water"...ha ha ha

Maybe I should have said, "Self Reliant." and maybe the CF community doesn't represent the "common" demographic -

But seriously most cruisers do become self reliant because they are often far from support.

However you are right, and my previous point. There are lots of folks who don't have the skills yet who are looking for help. OTOH - many yards are hostile towards freelancers. It's a tough row to hoe...

You also have to make sure you have the right pricing scheme -

I do it = $50/hr
You help = $100/hr
I do it after you tried = $150/hr
I do it after your "expert" buddy tried = Don't Ask...