Could I Make Money Offering Massage or Legal Services to Other Sailors ?

[felixthe]

I'm working toward buying a boat and sailing on it full time. I think I've got a realistic budget worked out and was wondering if some more experienced sailors would chime in about how I can monetize what I've got to work with:

1. Massage therapist for 14 years - would sailors trade/pay for this?
2. Lawyer in CA- trying to figure out how to work remotely while sailing -- any other lawyers have any ideas???


My husband is a veteran special education and early childhood educator - does anyone know if he can do tutoring or anything related to education while 'on the road' or even in one place for a while?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

[felixqld66]

Hey Felix

Great name...... I too have thought the same; have found so far that massage skills can be traded but had no takers to pay but I guess I also struggle with the asian market here plenty of local competition ( and they offer extras if you want ....lol)

having said that it is all about need and cashflow cruising the general rule I have found trade works best first as you have to really need the service offered to go down the paid path.

Good luck getting your dream together. I love it on the boat

[felixqld66]

Ps I am also a secondary teacher haven't tried the tutoring but have considered working in an international school Husband could do the same for stints between cruises

[captainKJ]

I will get in trouble for part of this post so please forgive my humor,,,,It depends on what type of massage you are giving,,,,in certain countries certain things are legal,,,,,,,as for the lawyer,,, I have thought about that myself, as i am going to get a law degree and go sailing after that,,,,there are countries that you can teach english as a second language, google search would help,,,,mostly in south america working with kids,,,,some pay ,,,,,,,,,some volunteer only,,,,,,,good luck and enjoy the sailing, it will be interesting in what you come up with concerning the law degree

[imagine2frolic]

You might be able to earn some amount of money. It's nothing I would depend on to support you. Every pennny earned helps,, so what's the harm? I see people doing haircuts, putting together trinkets, artwork, and much more. BEST WISHES..........i2f

[felixthe]

Thanks for the thoughts, definitely doing a lot of research in putting this project together.

For anyone considering a working legal career - I am going to sit for the USVI bar myself. It just seems easier and will help with both short and long term positions.

Still open to remote working suggestions.

[Jim Cate]

In our experience providing services to other cruisers is not often a money making process. Once in the cruising community, one tends to view fellow cruisers as friends rather than customers, and services are either willingly offered for free or in exchange for some other thing or service. Not much cash changes hands.

And providing such for locals is usually illegal (unless a work visa is obtained) and often raises the ire of the locals with whom you compete. If you can provide some service not otherwise available rules may well be ignored by officials, but caution is advised in testing these situations.

Obtaining work legally via normal applications, etc, is often possible and is a very different kettle of fish.

Cheers,

[Topflyer]

Practicing law from the high seas would most certainly be a challenge but you might be able to do some work, particularly
if you are trained or experienced in a niche
specialty in demand. My daughter is an attorney in a highly specialized area and couldn't find her way to the courthouse though she does meet with clients. If you have some specialty in a particular area perhaps you could "be of counsel" to one or more firms.

[capttman]

Well being a Renaissance man Haha I can do a lot but most I do is barter I'll fix your engine, shoe your horse fiberglass repair etc. for a meal or massage hey it works....and some time it pays...too

[sww914]

I think we're sailing off to get away from a lifestyle that requires a massage to relax and away from situations that require a lawyer. I suspect I'll need a sailmaker or a prop expert but not an attorney anymore.
They're looking for English teachers all over the world.

[tallyhorob]

maybe you could get into the title work and details of boat buying and selling in the islands. If you need a lawyer for the paperwork might as well hire the one who can go look at thh boat too.

[canucksailor]

don't most people find that lawyers rub them the wrong way?
(ok, ok....but I couldn't resist saying it!)

[David_Old_Jersey]

On the legal side I would start from the position of asking yourself what someone else would be doing to make money from your services..........and then cut out the middle man!

[MarkJ]

There's really very very very very very few jobs if you are activly cruising.
If your boat is just a floating house moored in some part of the world then you may find a job.

But actually crusing and working?

Not a chance.

There are some families where mum and dad are teaching the kids. I bet they would love to have a pro come and teach the kids for a day. However, kids are damned expensive (I tried to sell one once) and the parents are most often even more streached than the rest of us.

Yes, they would love a massage. God knows they prolly deserve one!

My honest thoughts are that if Pop is working as a lawyer you can make a fair cruising kitty - like 5 years worth - if you stay at work for one extra year.


Mark

[zeehag]

nursing is something do-able in other lands, but needs at least 6 weeks in same place for travelling assignments, and does require licensure IN ADVANCE of the trip for the region worked......there are agencies for this