Thankfully we have been able to manage to do both...cruise and work.
At 33 and 34 it is unrealistic to think of "checking out" but we do get to set our own hours and still
liveaboard full-time.
We put together a 10-year plan and worked insane hours for 7 years. Three years ahread of schedule we bought HP,
sold everything, and moved onboard.
We run South By West Press, an independent publishing company, from the
boat. In the summer we
cruise north to the Chesapeake and in the
winter south to Fla and the
Bahamas.
Learning to work with Awl-Grip was one of the best things I did. Glass-work and
refrigeration has also been profitable work. Also, being 5'5" and 145lbs helped in competitive rock climbing pre-cruising, so working aloft comes all too naturally.
I have
the best office view in the world...dolphin and manatee swimming around right now...it may cut back productivity a little but I have all the time in the world and I set my deadlines, so I can extend them.
We realize just how lucky we are and are conscious to be thankful every day.