Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Working for the Weekend

Somebody's got to pay for those coconut rum drinks.

You heard correctly. After two years of dodging gainful employment, Vlad and I both have jobs. He's working like crazy on boats during the high season here, and I'm doing some freelance editing. His work is much more lucrative, but we've both been looking at each other lately like "Wait a second. Aren't we supposed to be on vacation??"

We are both enjoying the novel sensation of money coming in instead of always siphoning out. I had forgotten what it's like in the normal working world where you may be stuck in a filing room, but you at least have a new batch of currency every two weeks. Which gets me thinking about that persistent question: How to make money while sailing? 

So far, I've seen three areas of reliable work - fixing boats, doing canvas work and messing about with computers. Sure, plenty of people add to the cruising kitty by teaching beach yoga or toting a massage table around, but if you want to make the big bucks being an electrician or welder or mechanic ain't half bad. After all, if there's one thing that you can rely on while sailing, it's that your boat will break, and most people don't have the skill set to fix it. Vlad has been able to get pick up work in many spots on our travels, even in the San Blas Islands. He's good and has tons of experience, but it doesn't hurt that he packed our boat with spares and materials. I might complain about the clutter (and I do!), but having that roll of electrical wire or a piece of stainless has gotten us a few extra tacos. 

The woman we bought the boat from did canvas work during their travels, which is also a pretty consistent gig. There have been several people here in La Cruz who needed new sail covers or bimini tops and wanted to hire me after seeing me lugging around our sewing machine. If only my stitches didn't look like the work of a second grader with bad eye-hand coordination, I could have made some cash. 

And there's always someone out here who does web site or software work. Sometimes they even keep their real jobs and just work via the internet in exotic locations. Every time I see one of these people, I curse my younger self for going into journalism. Computers, kid. There's a great future in computers.

Anyway, while we are here saving for our next move, what are your thoughts on making money while cruising? Do you guys have any big plans or ideas on how to make money while underway?  

9 comments:

  1. I'm in computers/IT and I even work from home, but I think I'm so burned on it that when we leave, I'm not going to work for at least a year or two so that I can remember what that is like.

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    1. Tate, I would take a year or two or five off too if I were you! You and Dani have really worked hard to put this dream together, and it would be shame not to enjoy it. But it's also nice to know that you have a way to make money underway if you need to.

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  2. Mike is thinking his second career will be diesel mechanic after seeing how busy our guy is. My second career will be 'general swabbie', but I guess I should probably think of something that pays more. Know what I will not be? Boat therapist. Not even.

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    1. But but but Melissa, who will I turn to with all my problems? !

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    2. Yeah, Melissa, I think there might be a market for a floating therapist out here. Judging from some of the anchoring scenes we've witnessed, couples counseling might be the way to go. :)

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  3. I'll have to quit my job as a nurse, however, my husband will still have the option to work for his current commercial diving company if he wants. MY plan is to ship him back for a few weeks if funds run low. I hope we don't have to do that but it's nice to have in our back pocket 'just in case'.

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    1. Sounds good! I've heard that nurses can also get work abroad, especially in places like New Zealand, so you might have some options too.

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  4. “To move, to breathe, to fly, to float; to gain all while you give; to roam the roads of lands remote; to travel is to live.” ― Hans Christian Andersen

    www.nomadicliving.com

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  5. I am lucky to work for my old boss/grad school adviser doing work that I am extremely interested in and passionate about (writing policy briefings, white papers and academic journal articles re: water policy and rural transitions). Unfortunately it means that my nose is glued to the screen for 10-20 hours a week. Back in the States I was working 60-70 hours a week, with at least 40 hours a week in front of the computer. Being out here I honestly have no idea how I sustained that. I love being busy and working hard, but it can be really challenging to even get in a 10 hour work week sometimes. I also do some freelance website development, social media strategies/marketing strategies and photography. It does feel good to see the money at least stabilize - I've always been a saver and it's hard to be a spender :). Best of luck balancing boats, babies, work and of course FUN!

    Sincerely,
    Harmony

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