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20-02-2012, 13:50
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Which Type of Cruising Work ?
Although I have searched on the forum. My question is more specific. I am an Engineer/Machinist by trade. I have TIG welding skills. I also have an interest in canvas work. I figured for little investment, I could buy a "nice" walking foot machine and do canvas work and "minor" sail repair.
So my question is...How much request, while out cruising is there for a) Stainless Steel repair and b) for canvas and sail repair?
Also I realize the problem with doing this on the down low in a foreign country but I'm sure a little would go relatively undetected.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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20-02-2012, 14:50
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cruising Greece
Boat: Cat in the med & Trawler in Florida
Posts: 2,323
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Re: Which type of cruising work?
i think the trade you need is A/C refrigeration-
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20-02-2012, 15:02
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bahamas/Florida
Boat: Solaris Sunstar 36' catamaran
Posts: 2,686
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Re: Which type of cruising work?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialsailor
----I realize the problem with doing this on the down low in a foreign country but I'm sure a little would go relatively undetected.
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In my experience the locals usually know exactly what goes on in their harbors. Whether they do anything about it varies. Of course if you are welding something for the Capitan you will probably be golden, especially if you're the only welder around.
__________________
Sail Fast Live Slow
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20-02-2012, 17:27
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: W Carib
Boat: Wildcat 35, Hobie 33
Posts: 13,480
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Re: Which type of cruising work?
People I know who work while cruising do the following (in no particular order): AC/refrigeration, electrical/electronics, wood work, canvas work, sail repair, rigging, mechanic, fiberglass work, nursing. Others who do remote "knowledge work": technical writing, programming, web page design, graphic arts, etc.
Also, a lot of part-time cruisers out there who go back and work for a few months.
Welding and machine work are certainly relevant skills, but you need some pretty heavy gear for much of this type of work.
How much work you can get away with on the side depends on the venue.
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20-02-2012, 17:50
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: Which type of cruising work?
Quote:
Originally Posted by belizesailor
Welding and machine work are certainly relevant skills, but you need some pretty heavy gear for much of this type of work.
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Amazingly, I have watched the porta-TIG's get smaller and smaller. About the size of a PC tower on it's side and 25 lbs., capable of 3/16" SS. Of course there is the hassle of a gas cylinder and a Honda EU 2000 generator to power it. I'm not sure of the power needed for a sewing machine but I doubt it's a lot. Possibly you could adapt it to 12 volt DC with a vari-drive speed control.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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20-02-2012, 18:08
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#6
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: gettin naughty on the beach in cornwall
Boat: 63 custom alloy sloop,macwester26,prout snowgoose 37 elite catamaran!
Posts: 10,594
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Re: Which type of cruising work?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialsailor
Amazingly, I have watched the porta-TIG's get smaller and smaller. About the size of a PC tower on it's side and 25 lbs., capable of 3/16" SS. Of course there is the hassle of a gas cylinder and a Honda EU 2000 generator to power it. I'm not sure of the power needed for a sewing machine but I doubt it's a lot. Possibly you could adapt it to 12 volt DC with a vari-drive speed control.
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better to keep all your tools 220-240 v and 50 hz,as that is what most of the world uses
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20-02-2012, 19:29
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: Which type of cruising work?
Excellent point
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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20-02-2012, 20:16
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montegut LA.
Boat: Now we need to get her to Louisiana !! she's ours
Posts: 3,421
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Re: Which type of cruising work?
Ive been able to get work most everywhere Ive been over the years with my diesel mechanics skills,also welding both gas (brazeing cast for folks a lot ) and electric welding with an old miller, and my on board genny. works for me still justa thought Bob and Connie
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20-02-2012, 23:51
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
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Re: Which type of cruising work?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialsailor
Amazingly, I have watched the porta-TIG's get smaller and smaller. About the size of a PC tower on it's side and 25 lbs., capable of 3/16" SS. Of course there is the hassle of a gas cylinder and a Honda EU 2000 generator to power it. I'm not sure of the power needed for a sewing machine but I doubt it's a lot. Possibly you could adapt it to 12 volt DC with a vari-drive speed control.
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Aren't the Sailrite sewers 12 volts?
Porta-TIGs are the way I will go. With a steel boat and plenty of juice, I would be missing an opportunity for myself and potential customers if I didn't have the ability to repair brackets, mounts, padeyes and related small metal items.
I already have the Honda 2000...I was using it today to drill beams for an engine gantry!
I agree that A/C and reefers (or "greefers" as I've taken to calling them) are a great source of work. So bring a flange tool and a list of parts suppliers.
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21-02-2012, 11:09
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: W Carib
Boat: Wildcat 35, Hobie 33
Posts: 13,480
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Re: Which type of cruising work?
Quote:
Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy
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Not the ones I've seen, but I do have friends who run them via an inverter on their boat and their solar panel configuration (only about 100W I think) keeps up.
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21-02-2012, 11:58
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North Carolina
Boat: 1984 Pearson 34, Sirena
Posts: 55
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Re: Which Type of Cruising Work ?
I was going to go the refrigeration route until one of the locals here told me there were 4 refrigeration mechanics in the area. I've been trying out ideas to make money while cruising. It seems very hard to make money while unplugged from a home base. I'm going to need at least $5,000 US per year more than I have. Anyone out there make that in part time work while cruising?
Dale
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21-02-2012, 12:12
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#12
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: gettin naughty on the beach in cornwall
Boat: 63 custom alloy sloop,macwester26,prout snowgoose 37 elite catamaran!
Posts: 10,594
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Re: Which Type of Cruising Work ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaleM
I was going to go the refrigeration route until one of the locals here told me there were 4 refrigeration mechanics in the area. I've been trying out ideas to make money while cruising. It seems very hard to make money while unplugged from a home base. I'm going to need at least $5,000 US per year more than I have. Anyone out there make that in part time work while cruising?
Dale
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mobile beach parties!,all you need is an amp, speakers,portable genset and computer or ipod!
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21-02-2012, 12:17
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: North Palm Beach, Fl.
Boat: Westerly Corsair 36' "Stargazer"
Posts: 142
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Re: Which Type of Cruising Work ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaleM
I was going to go the refrigeration route until one of the locals here told me there were 4 refrigeration mechanics in the area. I've been trying out ideas to make money while cruising. It seems very hard to make money while unplugged from a home base. I'm going to need at least $5,000 US per year more than I have. Anyone out there make that in part time work while cruising?
Dale
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If you have a valid captains license you can hire yourself out to the charter boat companies that run day sails or runabout, center consoles thru the hotels. In the U S Virgins and Puerto Rico.
All the best
Clif
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21-02-2012, 12:33
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: Which type of cruising work?
Quote:
Originally Posted by belizesailor
Not the ones I've seen, but I do have friends who run them via an inverter on their boat and their solar panel configuration (only about 100W I think) keeps up.
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I think that is a good choice as well, going with the inverter. I tend to shy away from Chinese made anything, so I doubt I would do a Sailrite. probably a smaller Phaff with inverter.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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21-02-2012, 12:35
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,466
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Re: Which Type of Cruising Work ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by atoll
mobile beach parties!,all you need is an amp, speakers,portable genset and computer or ipod!
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...and a liquor license...
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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