Living Aboard and Telecommuting

[ReMetau]

I work remotely from our boat as a programmer for a manufacturing company in Ohio. We now reside at a marina, but only until March when we plan to move north for the summer. We used to spend the winters at anchor and the summers at a marina. My wife has her own laptop and does some web development work on the side. We share my phone card through a wireless router to get internet access. The speed isn’t great but it suffices. I have a virtual machine in Ohio that I can use in order to do processor or network intensive tasks.
All the people that I know of that telecommute are in the IT field.

[rebel heart]

For whatever it's worth, if anyone out there needs (or could use) a remote C#/SQL person let me know. .net 2.0 - 4.0, SharePoint development and administration, somewhat better-than-bad front end design skills (not on level with a real ui designer but decent), javascript, send me a message. I'm full time right now but wouldn't mind transitioning into something with more relaxed hours and a lighter work load if possible.

I can do MS-SQL database administration fairly well; T-SQL like no one's business.

[svsanuk]

Working while cruising will limit the times and places you can go, but it also lets you stay out longer! Everything in life is a trade-off. Lots of people do it every day. I met a guy over Thanksgiving in Vero who does insurance claims paperwork. He lives on a cat full time, and travels up and down the coast with his family. Like us - his wife is at the helm during the week, while he's below deck "makin' money".

It can be done, and its not as hard as everyone makes it out to be - just be patient, keep looking, and be ready when the right opportunity comes around - it won't be there for long!

[hellosailor]

Cindy, last I'd heard folks like the FTC were all basically singing the same song on this:
EVERYPLACE that ADVERTISES "Work from Home...Make Money" is a scam or a fraud.

The companies that legitimately hire teleworkers of one kind or another are few and far between. IIRC JetBlue hires reservations agents that work out of their homes--but you need experience, and often specifically a landline phone, no crackly connections need apply.

The folks who are established and experienced programmers, etc., who can co-incidentally telecomute? They're still a minority. It is way easier to get suckered by the scammers than to find a legitimate "work from home" offer.

Run like all hell if they ask for money up front. Have no doubts about that.

[Morgan Paul]

Hi Cindy

I thought I would post these links I found.

How to Find Legitimate Work At Home Transcription Jobs | eHow.com

Legitimate Online Jobs: Work From Home Transcription Jobs from Real Companies.

Work From Home Guide: Transcription jobs

Good luck Cindy

[sailorgal]

I sent a PM to Cindy with these links, but I'll post them here on the forum also, in case anyone else is interested in finding out more about transcription:
General info about transcription:

http://www.transcriptiontips.com

Forum for professional transcriptionists:

www.transcriptionessentials.com

Another "work from home" site that has a lot of discussion boards, etc.

www.wahm.com

Good luck, and remember -- never pay money to anyone to get a "work from home" job.

[teejayevans]

I'm currently working from my boat, it's probably easier to find a job first and then after "proving" yourself, moving to the boat.
My bosses thought it was cool :-)
Tom

[adriadream]

Finding work from home/boat that is legit and pays good is not easy. I have been searching for months. In meantime I am transferring with my current company to coast so I can move aboard. I know that our cruising time will be limited but we also need time to get adjusted and get familiar with the boat, grounds. But if I land on something legit I will post it here.