Other Options?

[mohave_steve]

Thanks Everyone for the input so far.

I am still working on my options and would appreciate your input.

It is begining to look like a single activity may not be enough to feed the kitty so I am looking at the likelyhood of having to try other options.

1)TESL - Allready discussed in another thread.

2) Bottom cleaning (boat bottoms ) and underwater maintenance. I am O/W certified and mechanically inclined.

3) SCUBA instruction. I am currently working towards my instructor cert.

4) Boat "Handyman". I have built my own house & RV (converted Eagle bus). Including framing, electrical, plumbing, cabinets & finish carpentry. Neither one has burned or flooded. The bus conversion, aside from the fact that it doesn't float, is in many ways identical to a boat.

My questions are: availability of work, income potential and legality(or tollerance) of performing these tasks in the countries I will be visiting.

Thanks again.

Steve

[Pura Vida]

Many cruising boats keep dive equipment aboard and the owner does his own diving. If you are planning on diving in a marina environment it may be best to simply subcontract with an existing diving business. Remember to get all your shots.

As for boat handy man, there are guys who make a lot of bucks at it. There is also a lot of competition. Fortunately much of that competition is not committed to putting in a hard day at the office. I never tried to work from the boat so I can't comment on legalities...

[Kanani]

We extended our cruising budget from 3 1/2 years to 14 years by doing odd jobs (mostly refridige and diesel mechanics) and we also had a canvas business on board. Sewing isn't that hard if you have a good machine and a decent size salon on your boat. We always had more canvas customers than we could handle.

We built everything from winch covers to full cockpit enclosures. We even got into manufacturing parachute sea anchors. There are lots of things that you can do out there and a lot of cruisers are (unfortunately) mechanically inept. Most cruisers would also rather pay another cruiser (with good referrences, keep a portfolio) then to pay some boat yard in a 3rd world country that just hired some farmer as a diesel machanic a week ago.

I had a dive compressor on-board for several years. I rarely used it (mostly free-dive) and I most certainly wouldn't concider giving dive lessons in a foreign country. A good way to end up in jail IMHO.....too many things to go wrong and the liability and legalities would be very risky.

I sold my dive compressor and tanks in NZ (don't tell anyone).

[Pblais]

My questions are: availability of work, income potential and legality(or tollerance) of performing these tasks in the countries I will be visiting.

If you are working for other cruising boats for cash you can stay off the political radar. Working under the radar is maybe what you really want.

Getting a work visa for a very temporary job is pretty much pointless. You don't want to be in a position of the locality knowing you are working illegally. It sets you up for lots of bad options. The rules all change when they find out you are not just a recreational tourist but looking to make a living.

To get around that you need skills that the locals need badly. Being a nurse or an anesthesiologist could be good. At that point there are people of influence that need you and can feel motivated to grease the skids as it were. Being in competition with the Police Chief's son-in-law would be a very bad idea. Think small town politics.

[mohave_steve]

Thanks for the replies,

It sounds like doing Handywork, for cash, for other cruisers may have potentioal. One area I could learn more is refrigeration.

As to teaching SCUBA in a foreign country: I received my O/W cert in Mexico. My two instructors were American & Dutch.

I had considered the canvas business. I had hoped my wife may get enthused about it. I bought her a sewing machine to learn on but I don't think she has the interest level to pursue it.

I have worked from time to time as a bartender. Isn't that pretty much the same as an
anesthesiologist??

I remember reading somewhere of a gentleman having business cards made up for his nonexistant marine repair business back in the US so that he could promote his services to other cruisers without raising too much local attention.

Thanks again.

Steve

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by mohave_steve

One area I could learn more is refrigeration.

In addition to being able to fix as much as possible anything mechanical or electrical, how about sussing out for the country(s) you are visiting where to get spare parts / or even new kit from and where neccessary from where and how to get parts in from the States......rather than just trying to rely on fixing stuff using what is available in the immediate locality / in your tool kit.

IME when a foreign language is involved well abroad those with money do tend to prefer to spend to avoid local "aggro" or are just not bothered to learn stuff that they figure to never need again.........so if someone does have problems (or even would "just" want maintanence done) when the local competition is not attractive maybe you can provide a 1 stop solution. Those with money tend to have more "things" to go wrong / need maintanence..........

I had considered the canvas business. I had hoped my wife may get enthused about it. I bought her a sewing machine to learn on but I don't think she has the interest level to pursue it.

Of course no reason why YOU could not learn this business...........

I remember reading somewhere of a gentleman having business cards made up for his nonexistant marine repair business back in the US so that he could promote his services to other cruisers without raising too much local attention.

I LIKE that idea, that's going in the pot for later .

[mohave_steve]

How practical would it be to have a friend in Seattle or LA FedEx me occasional "Birthday Gifts" ? I allways wanted a pump impeller for my b-day....

It is my understanding that personal gifts of that sort are duty free and pass customs with relative ease, in most countries, as long as an individual does not receive b-day gifts year round in the same country.

[mohave_steve]

Yes, I could learn the canvas business.
If she gets excited about it I will certainly participate. However, I don't think she would be thrilled about clearing the neighbors fouled prop while I sew canvas.....

[Jimske]

If one is handy like Steve there probably is always work - at least here and there - but options. . .yes. Here is one though it may not be for everybody...gambling!

It would take some considerable study but poker, blackjack, and even baccarat can earn between 10.00 and 20.00 per hour without a huge up front investment (bankroll). To have all three in ones "arsenal" would take awhile (read as years). It woud be best to start with poker due to the many internet games (6 mos. study and practice). I will just say this: the explosion of internet Texas Holdem and the huge number of weak players offers an opportunity to win money at small stakes games online and in the many casinos found near cruising areas.

[quote=mohave_steve;121285]Thanks Everyone for the input so far.

I am still working on my options and would appreciate your input.

It is begining to look like a single activity may not be enough to feed the kitty so I am looking at the likelyhood of having to try other options.

[Ex-Calif]

The problem with doing boat work will be when you cross swords with the locals. The marina may have people already working and you will be viewed as a threat to their livelihood. They'll drop a dime to the immigre without a second thought.

[mohave_steve]

Jimske,

Thanks for the suggestion.
In years past I was an avid student of Blackjack. I became fairly proficient at a solid basic strategy and single level count. Then I took a salaried management position in a casino. Read "salaried" as 55-70+ hours a week. I have not willingly set foot in a casino since leaving that position and will probably never play Blackjack or Poker again.

One comment on your suggestion: The house advantage (varies depending on rule variations) on a Blackjack table against a basic strategy player is typically .5%-2%.
With solid basic play and an accurate count a player can develop an advantage of 2% or better.

The typical hold (house profit) is 20-25%. Why the disparity? Most players play poorly.
No offense intended but the numbers don't lie.

I would agree that with quality study and practice you can develop the skills to be quite successful playing poker in casual games. Along with game skills, money management and keeping emotion out of the game are also key.

Thanks

Steve

[mohave_steve]

Dan,

That has been one of my concerns. Do you have any tips for "staying under the radar" ?
I spent some time in Belize recently and observed the attitude towards expats "taking" jobs form locals. If you had a skill that was not otherwise available you were welcomed. However, if you wanted to perform jobs that put you in competition with locals you could not get a work permit(job specific). If you tried to work a job without a work permit the locals would, as you put it, drop a dime on you.

Not being a resident and working strictly with other cruisers and for short periods of time in one place then moving on may be different. What do you think?

Thanks

Steve

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Kanani

a lot of cruisers are (unfortunately) mechanically inept.

Clint Eastwood said "A mans gotta know his limitations". I know mine. Apart from oil/filter changes I would much prefer someone who knows what they are doing tinker. I would be a total ass to say to my vital bit of machinery "I wonder what happens if I unscrew this little bitty?"
Sometimes on these forums its expected people must have done a 3 year course in mechanics before the are respected to go to sea and everyone should know how to solve their own mechanical problems. Therefore theres pressure on people (former 40 year office workers) to tinker with the thingo they know nothing about.
Thanks, call me a dill, but I'll stick with a paying good dollars to someone who knows

Originally Posted by Kanani

Most cruisers would also rather pay another cruiser (with good references, keep a portfolio) then to pay some boat yard in a 3rd world country that just hired some farmer as a diesel mechanic a week ago.

You betcha!
Just try and translate this bit of techno talk into Thai: "The engin shea stopped. I turn on and she go "ring-a-ding - burp - belch - BANG". Call me racist but speaking English to a mother tongue English speaking mechanic is worth an extra $20 (at least!)

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

where to get spare parts / or even new kit from and where necessary from where and how to get parts in from the States.

Be a roving agent for some parts company? Knowledge is a treasured resource. Remember that most people want to snorkel more and source parts less

Even just having a pile of BoatUS catelogues etc kept up to date.

Originally Posted by mohave_steve

Blackjack.

Being a mechanic, parts sourcer, teacher, helper etc etc will cement a wonderful reputation amongst the cruising community and, as Kanani says, extend your cruising budget. Taking peoples money by poker or blackjack would give you a distinctly other reputation, imho.

All the best

[mohave_steve]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Being a mechanic, parts sourcer, teacher, helper etc etc will cement a wonderful reputation amongst the cruising community and, as Kanani says, extend your cruising budget. Taking peoples money by poker or blackjack would give you a distinctly other reputation, imho.

All the best

Good point! Should I find myself in a moment of need would I rather encounter another cruiser whom I had provided a much needed service for $75.00 or one who lost $75.00 to me playing poker??


Karma?

[Maren]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Taking peoples money by poker or blackjack would give you a distinctly other reputation, imho.

OK, well I guess there is no need for me to bring up the oldest profession then.