Seeking warm water and Sun

[Seahorse66]

Hi all,

I am new to this site and realistically have about 2 months sailing experience. I am an ex-professional handyman and have owned a number of motor-cruisers and commercial fishing boats up to 42 feet over the years.

I am 53 years old, in good health and so tired of Canadian winters.

My question is... what is the easiest cheapest way I can sail and live in a warm climate? I have about $50,000 to my credit and owe nothing.
Where can I go and how do I get started? I still think I need to work as I am sure I will chew through 50 k pretty fast if I don't. I am willing to do almost anything but it is important to me that I live a healthy lifestyle... eg... eat a good nutritious diet, am on a good and safe boat..., not getting into something that could be dangerous or involved with others that I shouldn't.

Any input regarding this would be appreciated very much. I am very ready to listen.

Thank you

Tre4

[Leo Ticheli]

If your skills translate to boat service, you can set up shop in sunny Florida and do quite well working on yachts; while you're at it, you will come across someone who will sell their boat to you at a good price. All you have to do is show up on time (sober is a plus), do a good job, and be honest; the world will beat a path to your door, or should I say carve through the waves to your companionway.

I wish you well.

Leo

[Seahorse66]

Originally Posted by Leo Ticheli

If your skills translate to boat service, you can set up shop in sunny Florida and do quite well working on yachts; while you're at it, you will come across someone who will sell their boat to you at a good price. All you have to do is show up on time (sober is a plus), do a good job, and be honest; the world will beat a path to your door, or should I say carve through the waves to your companionway.

I wish you well.

Leo

Thank you for the message.
I unfortunately do not have a green card to work in the US so working would probably be out.
My experience working on boats is very much self taught and a youtube expert although I have been told I do nice work... I think caring about what you do is as important as having many of the tickets and credentials

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Tre4.

[Dooglas]

Originally Posted by Seahorse66

I unfortunately do not have a green card to work in the US so working would probably be out.
My experience working on boats is very much self taught and a youtube expert although I have been told I do nice work... I think caring about what you do is as important as having many of the tickets and credentials

Perhaps you should tell us a bit more about yourself and about your objectives. Language skills. Citizenship. Visa possibilities. Job and personal skills. Travel experiences or family connections in other countries. Whatever that makes some options work better than others. As you note, $50k with no boat and no job won't stretch too far.

[blubaju]

Cheapest is in the tropics, English speaking Philippines, through PRA (Philippine Retirement Authority) obtain a SRRV visa that entitles you to work selfemployed. Skilled boatrepair is still something sought-after, jack of all trade, knowing nothing abundant, often cheap yachts to live on found same with apartments, price goes with your demand. Just an idea.

[Pete17C]

maybe look for work on a foreign flagged charter boat

but I'm not sure that's allowed if you're playing by the rules, or even who's rules you'll have to play by

[KP44]

Originally Posted by Seahorse66

.

I am 53 years old, in good health and so tired of Canadian winters.

My question is... what is the easiest cheapest way I can sail and live in a warm climate?
Any input regarding this would be appreciated very much. I am very ready to listen.

Thank you

Tre4

PM sent

[CaptainJohn49]

Use your capital and buy a good used West Sail 32. Find a good marina and make friends. People are always looking for people to do small jobs and they pay cash. Don’ Worry about papers.

CaptainJohn49

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by CaptainJohn49

Use your capital and buy a good used West Sail 32. Find a good marina and make friends. People are always looking for people to do small jobs and they pay cash. Don’ Worry about papers.

CaptainJohn49

Spot on ! Green card smreencard, don’t worry about it, as Captain John says, plenty of cash jobs available in marinas. The fact that you are willing to work puts you head and shoulders ahead of what’s out there for the most part. Go for it!

[Mithril Bham]

Mexico

[contrail]

Originally Posted by Mithril Bham

Mexico

For THAT you will need papers. You will obviously be foreign, and in all but the most remote places, locals will see what you are doing. That said, there are a few boatyards with fully legal foreign workers on their staffs.

[Mithril Bham]

Originally Posted by contrail

For THAT you will need papers. You will obviously be foreign, and in all but the most remote places, locals will see what you are doing. That said, there are a few boatyards with fully legal foreign workers on their staffs.

If there is a will there is a way. If everybody followed the rules to the letter most would never leave. If you want to be perfectly safe then stay at home. Lots of Canadians staying in Mexico as well as many other places. They manage to make it happen.

[alansmith]

Go to the Caribbean and work part time full time for yacht charter companies. They would kick their chops to have a tradesman. Hot summers and wonderful winters. Lots of boats to be head for a reasonable price.

[billgewater]

Sun? Great sailing? Rational locals. Opportunity a-plenty. Entertaining politics? Try NZ or Australia.
However, you have not mentioned family. Therein lays the most important determinant.

My family actually encouraged me to leave home. Can't work out why.