Boat-Based Business

[CaptainK]

Tom.

Ask Scott, about him being restrained with his workload, recently?

[Wukong]

One aspect that seems to be overlooked in this thread is that the US Flag is seen in many places where people sail. For example, the US Virgin Islands in the Caribe. You don't need to worry about a green card or equivalent. In the Pacific there are many areas, Guam, CNMI, most probably all of the Trust Territories where US Customs and Immigrations rule.

US military bases are all over the globe and I would believe that as long as you were conducting business with a US citizen that local governments would ignore you and all transactions could be conducted in US Dollars. If you are a military retiree your ID will probably get you thru the gate. Every base has a news paper where you could unobstrusively advertise. How about Tax Preparation? If you have good credentials, there are plenty of GI's that need accountants. If you do not have a military ID contact the Base or Navy Exchange (General Store). If you have CPA credentials, they will probably arrange for you to have a booth in the entrance and require you to pay a fee or percentage to sell your wares.

[Wukong]

Every overseas flying club at military bases that I was associated had a shortage of qualifed flight instructors. I can imagine that bases on the oceans are short qualified sailing instructors at their sailing clubs. If at a base where families are assigned, tutering for SAT testing would be a skill probably not found locally if you have a Masters or PhD in Ed or some other useless discipline.

A US Military base can be a gold mine for any qualified skill (scam artist).

On the subject of "live aboards" in Hawaii, in the early 80s one of the officers that I knew lived aboard his sailboat at the Hickam AFB marina. Military bases are Federal property and are not governed or subject to state laws. He was always gracious enough to entertain the wives when we had a conference there. Hmmm, maybe thats how Lily got pregnant.

[hammerfelt]

Kai -- I had thia idea... maybe this was suggested already -- but how about massage therapist? Probably minimal training needed for several styles (shiatzu, swedesh, etc) -- and everywhere you would go, there would be wealthy cruisers willing to pay $50 a pop for a good massage -- if not the beat up sailors, then at least the "wifey" types whose backs might be stiff after a passage... You'd need a small massage table, oils, a decent stereo system -- and the boat. It is labour intensive, (and I can't stand touching people, but maybe I can get over that) and it would keep one fit somewhat.

[Charlie]

Kai:

If you can't sea yourself as an optometrist than maybe something else will work. I seem to remeber that you were a pretty good mechanic. The key to the idea about the Optometrist was that you take up to 50% of AGI and pout it into a non-profit foundation. Ok so you can't help pople with their eyes what about teaching third world coastal and island nations how to perform maintenance and mechanical skills on marine engines. The whole idea is to get more money into the cruising kitty and then to get it out when you are cruising. The foundation can hire you to give these services in Mexico allthrough the south pacific. From an economic pioint of view this will help you save whatever % $ you pay in taxes on 50% of your income. Say your AGI is $50k and you pay 30% state and fed taxes ($15k). By funding this non profit you could cut your tax bill in half and have the non profit hire you at a nominal wage to provide this much needed service to mexico and the south pacific. Same plan new twist.

Cheers

Charlie

Hammerfelt, good idea. Definitely makes the short list.

[mohave_steve]

Hello All,

I sit here stranded in Purgatory (93F at 9:15am looking for 114F later today) reading your discussion and finding it quite enlightening.

I have been working on my escape plan for almost three years and have worked out the financial plan for my boat purchase and dealing with most all of my land based obligations. My hangup is how to supplement the Kitty while cruising. I am fearful of leaving without a plan other than "I'm sure I'll find something".

I had a plan 3 years ago to hit the water and travel port to port installing WiFi systems. Unfortunately I started this with a partner.... I am sure many of you can figure out how that ended. And now I am afraid that market may be saturated.

I am currently the IT Manager at a resort/casino and have a reasonable level of experience with: Gaming, Hotel and POS systems. Windows Servers, AS/400, RS/6000 and related systems. As well as copper, fiber & wireless networks.

Other skills: I just finished building my own house. My direct participation included framing, plumbing, electrical and finish carpentry. I also posses basic mechanical skills and just completed my open water scuba certification.

Any suggestions you all may have would be greatly appreciated.

Steve

steve@connect2go.net

[CaptainK]

Welcome aboard cruisersforum Steve.

I assume that since you picked out the word "mohave" as part of your users name. I also assume you live in the mohave desert?

Charlie, you have inspired me. One of my former sidelines was designing off the grid systems for residential use. I am not in a hurry to turn a wrench again, even in a teaching capacity, and my skills are not as up to date as would be needed to call myself a consultant, but even when I was a kid I was fascinated by the efforts in third world countries to send people in to help design infrastructure. I am going to give that one some serious thought.

[CaptainK]

Looks like this is my avenue, Kai. I have had recent training. And I kinda miss turning wrenches!!

[Charlie]

The idea is to take the governments tax law and turn it to your advantage. Laws set up for the wealthy corporations do have to be applied to us regular folk so that there is a semblance of fair play. If you dig into the law a little ways there are ways to use it to your advantage w/o too much effort and legally.

Off the grid solar design and infrastructure is a great idea. I read in India (I think it was India) about engineers who had designed these foot pumps to help with irrigation. The pumps increased the crop yields tremendously. Talk about a way to help clear the ugly american syndrome.

Look at Nolo press books on legal issues there may be one on how to start your own Non-Profit entity.
Charlie

Hey Steve! Great place to jump in. THere is no real lack of IT people out there, but "Good" IT people is another story. Most of them get confused once you get past reboot. (In fact, I think that is a prerequesite for IT candidates at my company) As WiFi is geting more commonplace, someone who could come on board, install the card, go aloft, and install the high gain antenna, and then explain how to use it all could probably make some beer money. If you can go that next step and uncrash a few computers, maybe a burger with that beer

[S/V Elusive]

yeah yeah yeah .. Scott claims to have beer ... but the better deal would be to have Susan cook ya dinner ( Strongenoff would be MY choice), and grab a rum and coke or two. Anyway, welcome aboard. With all the skill sets you have developed, you most likely would be able to make some cash along the way assisting someone or perhaps doing various maintenance items aboard someone's boat. There IS competition for that. OTOH, skills with computers and their cousins (GPS, Radios, Radar, and other items that use menu systems and are Greek to a lot of people) may be a way for you to make a few bucks helping people understanding them (ie TEACHING).

Good luck! Can I also suggest that you click on the word PROFILE at the top right of this screen and fill in a little info about yourself. This may help in responses to your future questions or when you respond in an area of your expertise.

Always a wise guy You know, all you have to do is show up. Susan will cook stroganoff anytime. Now for the beer thing, I have beer on board, but you don't get it because I use it as currency Ah, but the rum, I share.

[CaptainK]

Yeah Thomas, he shares.

He really does too!!