Get 6 pack license now on river be advantageous for ocean charter captain.

[Sail Away 3]

Reading his posts and all the serious replies he is getting got me thinking about a song that would more suit his experiences and experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G_L9tXEwmc

Perhaps he should investigate getting the RYA Yachtmaster license and it's prerequisites first. Then add in the commercial. Tack on the cost of a four cabin boat, preferably less than five or ten years old. Send his GF to culinary school. Both of them take sailing lessons on long duration cruise type courses. Both go back to school for hospitality industry courses. Toss in as much training on marine maintenance, diesel mechanics, electrical, electronics etc. Add on some international law and marine law. Quite a bit more but I am getting tired of writing and need to go shovel the snow...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G_L9tXEwmc

[Don55]

Don’t bother with a 6 pack license. I’m 66 and retired from my airline when I hit 65. Been a small boat recreational sailor for years. Own a 28’ sailboat and a 28’ powerboat. Decided to get my 6 pack license so I could take a tax break setting my boat up as a charter business. The good folks at Maritime Professional Training explained that with the EXACT SAME qualifications, another few days of training, and just a bit more money I could get an inland waters, 25 GRT Masters certificate. So I did. Next thing you know the Commodore of my sail club gets a call from the local water taxi that they’ve lowered Captain hiring minimums from 50 to 25 tons and is anybody interested? I’m now enjoying working as a deckhand/mate several days a week while training to be a Captain and having a marvelous time.

[jalmberg]

I’ve run enough businesses to first ask myself who is the customer for this service, and what do they want?

The only way I’ve seen this business model work is when the captain is a recognized expert with a book or big YouTube following, and customers sign on mainly to learn ocean cruising. There are several real experts out there doing this, on very well set up boats, and you will be competing directly with them.

No one in their right mind would sign up just for a pleasure cruise, and any that did would expect luxury accommodations, meals, and service.

There may be a third market out there, but I don’t know what it might be. Something to think about before investing too much more time on this.

[TATYANNA]

Originally Posted by Gadagirl

Ok you need to think. Do you want the lifestyle? Do you want high profits? You could become an IT security specialist that allows you remote work in many places and pays very well dependent on ability and skill. Or you can run charters that sustain your desired lifestyle of living on a boat providing hospitality. Providing hospitality on a charted cruise boat requires more than certificates and legal licences. It involves a personality style that fit's that career choice. If you're chasing the money it will not be a good choice. If you're chasing the lifestyle it is something to consider.

Many of us have brainstormed this idea decades before you. It's not impossible but it does take more than certs. It takes a specific personality and attitude to create a successful business. And it has never been an ultra lucrative business.

Where is the best place to find remote work. I have a HR Manager, employment law etc experience as well as Hospitality Manager

[Uricanejack]

Originally Posted by TATYANNA

Where is the best place to find remote work. I have a HR Manager, employment law etc experience as well as Hospitality Manager

Almost all our office people, have been working from home for round about two years. All meetings ect by computer, Hardly any face to face interaction.
I Kind of wonder if it will ever go back to the way it was.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Don55

Don’t bother with a 6 pack license. I’m 66 and retired from my airline when I hit 65. Been a small boat recreational sailor for years. Own a 28’ sailboat and a 28’ powerboat. Decided to get my 6 pack license so I could take a tax break setting my boat up as a charter business. The good folks at Maritime Professional Training explained that with the EXACT SAME qualifications, another few days of training, and just a bit more money I could get an inland waters, 25 GRT Masters certificate. So I did. Next thing you know the Commodore of my sail club gets a call from the local water taxi that they’ve lowered Captain hiring minimums from 50 to 25 tons and is anybody interested? I’m now enjoying working as a deckhand/mate several days a week while training to be a Captain and having a marvelous time.

Exactly. One of the schools I taught for (GLC Training) was Master only, the students could apply for OUPV if they wanted to but the course qualified them for Master. We always told them, even if all you ever want to do is run a six pack boat, you never know when a job on a bigger boat might pop up. One of the other Captains on a dinner boat I ran started out as a six pack guy but ended up making more money on the big boat. He was able to do that only because he took the class I taught (before my time) and applied for Master. Most other schools offer Master as an eight hour upgrade at further cost, but it's worth it.

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by jalmberg

No one in their right mind would sign up just for a pleasure cruise,

Not true, there was the millionaire and his wife, a movie star and the professor and Maryanne

[lo2jones]

Liked many of the comments. Try chartering a boat with total strangers several times so you can see what it’s like to have people with a wide range of expectations…total strangers living in your house for a week at a time.

[nonav]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Have you done any cruising ?
Have you owned a cruising boat
When your engine overheats can you diagnose and repair ? Can you tell if its the raw water or engine side ?
When a damperplate breaks can you replace it ?
When your alternator melts do you have a replacement onboard and can you replace it ?
When your primary and secondary clog can you deal with it ?
When your sail drive corrodes can you deal with it ?
Do you know the difference between galvanic corrosion and stray current corrosion and how to address either one.

These are things that cruisers deal with on a routine basis and untill ytou have a thorough understanding of marine electrical and mechanical systems ... well I'd suggest you are starting at the wrong end of the spectrum.

Learn this stuff first ... Marine Survey 101, pre-survey inspection

Wholeheartedly agree on this advice!

Once out at sea, or in many locales, you are pretty much on your own.

Some basic medical training would be good to know and practice, and hopefully you’ll not need more than band aids, the occasional ointment, or OTC meds.

I’d study up for your 100 Ton Masters License, as the
test is not a lot more than your 6 Pack.

I’m getting mine finally, after nearly a lifetime on the water and at sea.

One consideration to having your ticket, is in the event of an accident, death, any big boo boo, you’d be subject to an inquest, which may not work in your favor if you screw up badly.

Just a few thoughts to pass on from what I’m looking into.

Fair winds and following seas, whatever path you choose!