New Dream of Cruising

[amkrn1997]

Hello everyone!! I know this is going to sound kind of crazy, but I really would love to start cruising the world. I have always thought that this would be fun to do. Last year my brother passed away at the age of 30 from brain cancer. We spent so many hours talking about what we would do when he beat his cancer, and living on a boat sailing the world was number one on our list. He did not beat his cancer, but in the end he wanted to make sure I remembered what we talked about!! I have been doing research on the internet and reading some books about cruising. But it is so overwhelming. I grew up on boats on Lake Erie, but have no sailing experience. I am married with three children and would be home schooling them aboard. I just don't know where to start. There are so many issues to deal with. Having the money to continue to cruise. I don't want to put a time line on when we stop cruising. I want to do it until we don't want to anymore. Do people who cruise make money while cruising?? I have sooo many questions!!

Thanks Amanda

[TaoJones]

Welcome to Cruisers Forum, Amanda . . . we're glad you're here.

Take some time to look around and get comfortable. CF is filled with lots of friendly, knowledgeable folks who can answer most any question you can think of. In fact, they've probably already been answered.

The best way to search the Forum is to use the small Search button (in the menu line under your name). Scroll down to the Google Custom Search bar and enter your search terms there. The large search button at the top is built into the software and is virtually useless.

So, again, welcome aboard!

TaoJones

[skipmac]

Hi Amanda,

Welcome to the forum. There are plenty of people that live on boats and make a living but to do while cruising does present a number of challenges. If you have a job or skill that would allow you to work from a land based home then you could do the same on a boat.

Most work at home jobs do require good phone and usually internet connections. Current technology that is affordable for phone and internet you will have to be close to civilization.

It can be done but will require some thought and planning.

Good luck and keep asking questions.

Skip

[boatman61]

Hi Amanda, Sorry for your loss....
List of jobs friends I've met have done...
1/ Tie Dyed silks... she bought plain silk and made up Scarf's which she then dyed and sold to Tourists at various Ports... also did machine work making covers etc.
2/ Basic diving skills, scrubbing boats bottoms thus saving owners the cost of lift outs.
3/ Boat Bright-work, good varnishing skills needed for this one...
4/ Jewelry, diving for shells and things like Sea Urchin skeletons which with a little paint or clear nail enamel can look fabulous ... or used to make earrings etc.. the smaller ones...lol.
5/ Boat maintenance,.. Winches, engines, refrigeration etc...
6/ Photography... self explanatory... special orders boats under sail, framed up etc..
7/ Journalism... try and get some local or National Magazine/Papers interested in articles about your travels... write a book/Guide to the Lifestyle...
8/ Holistic Therapies.. Yoga, Massage, Crystals...etc, etc...
9/ Freelance Web Design...
10/ Get Hubby working in Boatyards when on a long stay.. they usually have a fast turnover of people... especially Stateside..
11/ Hairdressing, manicures.... if your cheaper than the Locals and any good you'll do well.
12/ Teaching English as a Foreign Language... if your basing yourself anywhere for a few months.
13/ Sail repair, Canvas work...
14/ Day trips but be careful you don't upset the Locals by taking the piss...
Hope thats of some help....
Good Luck with the Dream....

[boatman61]

Opps.. Forgot Painting, Carving, Sculpting, Cartoon Sketching......

[boatman61]

Oh... and a couple of friends were Tatoo Artists......

[Roaring Girl]

HI Amanda and welcome to the Forum.

Like you say, there's a lot to think about! And first up, I think, is do you and your family like sailing! And really the only way to find out is to do some. The geography of Ohio is a closed book to me, but presumably somehow, someway you can get afloat and start learning. A family holiday is great but you need to find a way to get lots of nice practice whether on lakes, rivers or at sea.

The planning and the learning never end, and they're a big part of the fun!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Roaring Girl

HI Amanda and welcome to the Forum.

Like you say, there's a lot to think about! And first up, I think, is do you and your family like sailing! And really the only way to find out is to do some. The geography of Ohio is a closed book to me, but presumably somehow, someway you can get afloat and start learning. A family holiday is great but you need to find a way to get lots of nice practice whether on lakes, rivers or at sea.

The planning and the learning never end, and they're a big part of the fun!

Spot on... find somewhere/one you can do some crewing on dinghies, cruisers, whatever... invest a few$'s in a trailer/sailor that you can keep at home... easier to work on and learn about.. also doing dummy maneuvers like tacking, gybing etc... saves on bumped heads on the water, they hurt like hell... never be embarrassed and learn to laugh at yourself...
A good Seamanship Manual and learn to splice, do the knots, basic navigation skills and maintenance...
This is crunch time... have you the WILL.. or just the nostalgia of shared sickbed dreams.... if you've the WILL the WAY is relatively easy if you Believe in yourself regardless of the EXPERTS who will Tut Tut for Eternity....
You'll learn to recognise them... they're the guys who mooch round the same boatyard or marina year after year..... Look at what your doing... Shake their head and say..."Oh..I would'nt do that" then move on....
The guy who says "Have you thought of trying this" and then demonstrates is more worthwhile... the others are go nowhere ButtHeads....
http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/folios/0002...chap_4-eng.pdf
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1986.../United-States

[dergon]

Greetings from another Buckeye, Amanda. Very sorry to hear of your brother's passing.

The sailing community on Lake Erie is quite large and spans from Toledo to Conneaut all along the "South Coast".

I also grew up as a powerboater and didn't know whether I would enjoy sailing.

Check the nearest marina/yacht club and look for people that are searching for crew. It is an easy way to start sailing ...and it is free! Actually, as crew it is usually better than free....people buy you drinks!

Once you see whether *you* enjoy the sailing, then you can start dragging the wee ones into it.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Its good to have you posting here. You've got some answers. Are there more questions?
regards,