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passage_paul · 03-02-2020, 13:34

In about a year I will be cutting the lines and heading out. I will only have savings to live off of and am thinking of ways to generate an income while cruising around.

I am planning on enrolling in the Marine systems program at the NW School of Wooden Boat Building out here in Wa. State. mainly for my own benefit so to maintain properly.

I was thinking tho if I could use those skills for a modest income while sailing around.

Is there a particular service that people are needing more than others when it comes to their boat and repair? I do plan to do the borad approach but would specialize if there is particular need. Sails? Engines? Body?

Do other sailors actually charge each other while out .. or is the community expectation consist of beer and pizza as payment?

Is there any such thing as roving mechanics out there in beyond?

**JPA Cate** · 03-02-2020, 13:41

Do other sailors charge? Well, yes. One of our friends, a certified diesel mechanic, worked it this way: consultations aboard his boat were free; if he brought his tools to your boat and worked, that was paid at his normal rate.

Mind you, it is unusual, but there are a number of folks who do work for others, for pay. With the increase of people buying high bucks production boats, whose skills are different from those of tradesmen/women, there may be more work around.

Cruisers, especially low bucks ones, are notoriously frugal, and most of them will prefer to do their own work.

Ann

**tkeithlu** · 03-02-2020, 13:52

Hmmm. My experience is that a small but significant fraction of the people cruising really have neither the skills nor the tools and parts to get themselves out of situations like a loose fan belt. Another fraction is limited in such. Some people seem to expect that having bought the boat, and its running, It will continue in that state forever, without their opening the engine hatch. You will not find those people on this forum.

So, one approach is carrying both a full set of tools and a set of semi-consumables, such as fan belts, alternators, pump impellers, and sail cloth. Ditto perhaps line and cable, ditto an electrical set with spare wire, fuses, crimp connectors, and light bulbs.

Another approach might be to ask yourself what failures are most likely to befall a cruising boat that would be very inconvenient. I'm thinking that it would be worthwhile to be able to dive a boat, even just with an airhose/regulator/compressor.

We get flooded with recreational fishing boats every nice weekend. The boats stay in garages at home or in storage here, and suddenly the ramps are jammed and the parking scarce. I know that being able to solve "dead in the water" problems for outboards would earn some money here on Saturdays.

Do those thoughts get you started thinking?

mvweebles · 03-02-2020, 13:56

The folks on Sailing Project Atticus (YouTube channel) spent their first two years working from their boat. She did canvas work. He did fiberglass work. Kept them from cruising much. They transitioned into Patreon and YouTube.

Have business cards printed with whatever trade you choose, maybe with a footnote in italics "reasonable rates - discount for cruisers" or something like that. Immediately lets people know you charge for your time. The previous post that noted if he brought tools to a boat, chargeable was a good idea.

I think your challenge will be getting knowledge that's better than the average cruiser. Classes are always good, but boats especially are one-off installations for everything. Troubleshooting seems to be what separates a good technician from a great one. I know I feel like I can fix almost anything if I can only figure out what went wrong. There seem to be a lot of threads on forums like these along the lines of "My engine ran great but now won't start."

Trades that are most likely to make money (at least in my opinion) are diesel mechanic, electrician, refrigeration /HVAC. Unfortunately, they are also trades where experience really counts.

passage_paul · 03-02-2020, 13:59

As I am clearly going to be one of the more frugal types out there I am spending alot of time in researching that aspect of it. Seattle to Singapore on 5 bux a day??..lol

As you mention and I have observed as well that most frugal sailors Ive studies take care of their issues themselves and most seem very adept at doing so.

I guess if I could muster a few bucks here and there would be ok...Do you think the biggest need is engine work? repair of sails? Most likely to pay for?

The notoriously frugal... I'm looking to write the Rice, Banana, Fish 1001 ways cookbook.

passage_paul · 03-02-2020, 14:07

Ya great ideas there tkeithlu. Thanks!

That is exactly what I was thinking of. As I have limited experience at this time I was wondering where the highest need was as well. Something that seems to be consistent...those pesky issues that keep raising their ugly little heads.. I am exactly on the same page. I really want to get the most bang for my dollar and time while at school.

passage_paul · 03-02-2020, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvweebles

The folks on Sailing Project Atticus (YouTube channel) spent their first two years working from their boat. She did canvas work. He did fiberglass work. Kept them from cruising much. They transitioned into Patreon and YouTube.

I saw those videos a bit and inspired me to think of being able to make a bit of coin as they did.... though I would want to stay moving a bit more.

Have business cards printed with whatever trade you choose, maybe with a footnote in italics "reasonable rates - discount for cruisers" or something like that. Immediately lets people know you charge for your time. The previous post that noted if he brought tools to a boat, chargeable was a good idea.

Great Idea...especially like the idea of discounts for cruisers.

I think your challenge will be getting knowledge that's better than the average cruiser. Classes are always good, but boats especially are one-off installations for everything. Troubleshooting seems to be what separates a good technician from a great one. I know I feel like I can fix almost anything if I can only figure out what went wrong. There seem to be a lot of threads on forums like these along the lines of "My engine ran great but now won't start."

I hope to increase my knowledge substantially by gaining a formal hands on education in the field. The Marine systems program at NWSWB I figure to be a great start and to determine an area of focus. It is only a 6 month program...so still much more to learn after that.. a little longer for the specialist certs. but hardly the comparable to a lifetime of knowing...

Trades that are most likely to make money (at least in my opinion) are diesel mechanic, electrician, refrigeration /HVAC. Unfortunately, they are also trades where experience really counts.

Thanks for spelling out for me...

I even thought about being a floating provisioner of wish you had got before you left, somewhere in the middle of nowhere??? Spam anyone?

mvweebles · 03-02-2020, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by passage_paul

Thanks for spelling out for me...

I even thought about being a floating provisioner of wish you had got before you left, somewhere in the middle of nowhere??? Spam anyone?

Nantucket Nectar , a fruit juice, allegedly got its start by kids rowing out to anchored boats selling goods. Of course, boats anchored in places like Nantucket have a lot of disposable income.

Either you develop a unique skill (mechanic, Carpenter, or electrician) , have some means of production that is difficult to source (sewing, which requires a lot of inventory), or you end up competing with very low cost local labor.

**JPA Cate** · 03-02-2020, 14:51

Our first years' cruising, the most common needs at that time, were for refrigeration, and for dealing with electrical problems.

People who start out with near to new or new sails, usually don't need canvas work for a long time....unless they want to add weather cloths (for privacy and spray protection) or lee cloths (monos who want to use midships berths).

We had a friend (who has since passed away) who had a MIG welder aboard his Westsail 43, and the skills to go along with it. He fixed a lot of stuff for people. Don't know if he accepted money. A large number of us old time cruisers used to give away our labor, telling the recipients to pay us back by helping out someone else. It is a lot to do with how you feel about the financial end of things. We were poor, as yachties go, but you never know when you might rather have a helping hand, and we'd rather the latter than a dinner out.

Some places, by practicing a trade, you're taking money out of locals' mouths; not surprisingly, that does not endear them to one.

Simple boats have simpler problems to solve than fancy ones.

Doing sail repairs for people: possible, but...It is always hard to find adequate space to loft a sail. Unless you can find a large lawn that the owner will let you use, you're pretty much out of luck. Most old, torn sails, are going to tear again, because the fabrics get weak. It is possible to hand sew seams that have failed due to UV deterioration. It doesn't look professional, but it is doable. If you're the only guy with the know how and the supplies, it is a service that could be appreciated. However, Dacron sails are getting rarer and rarer. Big boats (50 ft. and over) mostly have fancier fabrics.

Ann

**Jim Cate** · 03-02-2020, 15:08

Most cruisers can deal with engine issues themselves, at least dealing with external bits. A complete overhaul is likely beyond their scope... and with yours too, simply because it requires shop facilities that you won't have on board either!

One thought is that refrigeration would be a good realm to consider. If you carry gauges and a vac pump you could offer emergency services on site. Over the years we've been invited to several "emergency" BBQs where freezers have died in remote areas, and substantial lots of frozen foods were thawing and about to be lost. Those folks would have been pretty glad to see you!

Major sail repair is hard to do without a big flat floor... not available on most boats.

It's kinda off the usual yottie skill set, but increasingly computer repair skills, or even good skills with software issues would be useful. We hear lots of folks with such problems (even aboard our own boat!) so there's a big potential market.

But as others have said, yotties are a generous and friendly lot, and most of such aid is delivered for free and without expectation of compensation other than gratitude. I wouldn't count on much income from the fleet.

And finally, if cruising internationally, one runs into laws prohibiting work for compensation without some form of permit. Don't think you will be unobserved and don't think the locals will be happy if you are taking work away from their own practitioners.

You are far from the first wanna be thinking along such lines... it just doesn't work out well very often.

Jim

PS I see that once again Ann and I were responding simultaneously to a thread. For once we seem to be in agreement. Good thing for me!~

**Don C L** · 03-02-2020, 15:37

Are you going to Singapore?
This won’t apply to Singapore but something you might consider is instead of what other sailors need, think in terms of what locals might need. My in-laws keep telling me what a great living I could make in Honduras teaching English when I retire! Of course you have to stay in one place for a while.

passage_paul · 03-02-2020, 16:16

Thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions and advice.

I certainly didn't even think about taking from the local economy and I wouldn't want to do that. I definitely have the pay it forward spirit.. just saw tons of folks who can clearly pay for services and thought it would be nice to tap dat.

I used to teach English as a second language at a University for some time.. Thats a great idea but I do have an aversion to charging someone for knowledge..though I would readily pay for it.

I am circling about and now thinking of something from the locals that I could "export" and share from them to back "home"people. Maybe a collection of indigenous songs and music??.. For me and I am sure for most, a big part of the allure of long term sailing is to share in diverse cultures and experiences...It would be great to share with others.

Sorry if I have come off as an opportunist. Just looking to keep some water in the tanks and maybe some beans to go with all the rice I am sure to be carrying.

donradcliffe · 03-02-2020, 16:41

I met a French boat which roasted and ground coffee beans on their boat. It was better than Peets.

There is always demand for a refrigeration repairman, and most people are willing to pay for cold beer.