Picking up casual work whilst cruising

[Kelpie]

We are inching closer towards the sail-away date (still a few years to go) and thoughts are turning to the notion of picking up a bit of work here and there once we have departed.
Firstly, we're not looking to earn enough to actually live off and run the boat- we expect to secure enough incomce from our house to do that. It's more a case of getting some extra spending money as opportunities present themselves. Also, we are (and hopefully will still be, if we get away on time) both under 40 and pretty fit and able, and would quite enjoy some occasional work.

First thought is, inevitably, deliveries. I'm working towards YM Offshore and have several years skippering experience in the commercial sector already, albeit with power boats. So maybe three or four delivey trips every year would hopefully be a worthwhile financial boost.

Second thought is, as one guy told me, 'fixing Halberg Rassies for wrinkly people'. I'm equally at home up a mast or squished into an engine bay, and optimistically I am hoping that these 'talents' should be useful since most liveaboard types are probably not quite sprightly enough to enjoy these tasks themselves. The difficulties are, I think:
- finding jobs that I, with no particular qualifications, can do that other cruisers can't do themselves
- persuading people to actually pay you, rather than just saying thanks or giving you a bottle of wine
- getting the word out that you are looking for work whilst continually moving to new locations
- doing all of the above without attracting the attention of local boatyards etc

I'm thinking that things like routine engine servicing, or going aloft to take photos of rigging terminals, change bulbs, etc, should all be well within my capabilities- but loads of other people can do these things too... so what are the chances anybody would be willing to pay? What about mundane stuff like varnishing?

 

[sailaboutvic]

We are inching closer towards the sail-away date (still a few years to go) and thoughts are turning to the notion of picking up a bit of work here and there once we have departed.
Firstly, we're not looking to earn enough to actually live off and run the boat- we expect to secure enough incomce from our house to do that. It's more a case of getting some extra spending money as opportunities present themselves. Also, we are (and hopefully will still be, if we get away on time) both under 40 and pretty fit and able, and would quite enjoy some occasional work.

First thought is, inevitably, deliveries. I'm working towards YM Offshore and have several years skippering experience in the commercial sector already, albeit with power boats. So maybe three or four delivey trips every year would hopefully be a worthwhile financial boost.

Second thought is, as one guy told me, 'fixing Halberg Rassies for wrinkly people'. I'm equally at home up a mast or squished into an engine bay, and optimistically I am hoping that these 'talents' should be useful since most liveaboard types are probably not quite sprightly enough to enjoy these tasks themselves. The difficulties are, I think:
- finding jobs that I, with no particular qualifications, can do that other cruisers can't do themselves
- persuading people to actually pay you, rather than just saying thanks or giving you a bottle of wine
- getting the word out that you are looking for work whilst continually moving to new locations
- doing all of the above without attracting the attention of local boatyards etc

I'm thinking that things like routine engine servicing, or going aloft to take photos of rigging terminals, change bulbs, etc, should all be well within my capabilities- but loads of other people can do these things too... so what are the chances anybody would be willing to pay? What about mundane stuff like varnishing?

The problem you will have is with the likes of me , who tends to do a lot of these job for nothing ,just to have something to do and help other yachtsmen and women out .
Although there are people out here with plenty of dosh so with a bit of luck you may get the odd paying job .

 

[Carmel2]

If your doing it for beer tokens look out for the pros in the marina, they might not take it to kindly.

 

[Roberto]

I do almost everything by myself and often help others (for free), one thing I do by myself but would definitely pay someone else to do:is scraping the hull bottom with the boat afloat, a nightmare leaving me almost completely exhausted for two days. :disgust: (This in tropical waters, not here north where I :simply lift the boat out)

Otherwise, I suggest bringing a sewing machine: when I take out mine on the deck or on the pontoon, there are invariably people queing up with little works to be done

 

[Kelpie]

My instinct is to do little jobs for free... I'm always quite happy to help go up masts etc and wouldn't normally think of charging for this. But if there's some money to made, then it would definitely give us a little more in our pockets and make the sail-away dream that wee bit more likely.
I was under the impression that quite a few people carry sewing machines so that market may well be catered for already.

Maybe this is an excuse to learn to dive... mind you it's a lot of kit to carry about.

 

[Wansworth]

The ability to paint and varnish very,very well could attract work in the super yacht bracket...some friends found more work than they wanted.

 

[Carmel2]

Only one I have seen, so there might be a market for another.

 

[AndrewB]

Only one I have seen, so there might be a market for another.

As it happens, the one guy I met while long-distance cruising who never seemed to have a problem finding work locally was a chef. Always in demand during the season in places with yachts, rarely awkward questions asked about a work permit.

 

[James Marinero]

As @Roberto said - a sewing machine can be a work magnet. Welding too.

Chef is certainly a good option.

Think about what you are good at, what you have done in the past.

I did 3 years of commercial copy writing and sales proposal writing at anchor in the Med. Internet links are generally good these days - can you work online? Check out Upwork and freelancer for contracts. Also, there are loads of people looking for virtual assistants - but rates can be VERY low.

Good luck

 

[TQA]

If you become known then locals whose rice bowl you are stealing from will be quick to dob you in to immigration. I am in Grenada and several yotties have been deported for working without a work permit.

Get a work permit then canvas work stainless steel welding mast climbing and the ability to maintain a wet edge across a transom are all very marketable skills.

As a wrinkly creaky old thing I am increasingly looking to hire day workers for jobs I can no longer do comfortably.

Another fairly well paid area is working for charter companies as skipper cook couples. Moorings are always looking for established couples with the right bits of paper and some references. There is a downside, you are likely to be slumming it on big catamarans.

 

[ashtead]

I recall in med that a dive tank in a crowded bay plus a dingy seemed to earn one live aboard a good income from uncrossing anchors. I think there are a lot of youth out there dock walking for casual jobs in SoF or suchlike . You need to identify a niche service if you can e.g. Sail repairs or canvass work . I have always found a good reliable marine electrician is hard to find in U.K so this might be a useful skill set to promote?

 

[nortada]

I recall in med that a dive tank in a crowded bay plus a dingy seemed to earn one live aboard a good income from uncrossing anchors. I think there are a lot of youth out there dock walking for casual jobs in SoF or suchlike . You need to identify a niche service if you can e.g. Sail repairs or canvass work . I have always found a good reliable marine electrician is hard to find in U.K so this might be a useful skill set to promote?

Marine electronics is not the easiest skill set to acquire and often requires to expensive diagnostic tools.

Over the years I have met many who propose to pay their way but the majority are not very successful and those that are often find the day-job detracts from the original dream.

 

[Ludd]

We are inching closer towards the sail-away date (still a few years to go) and thoughts are turning to the notion of picking up a bit of work here and there once we have departed.
Firstly, we're not looking to earn enough to actually live off and run the boat- we expect to secure enough incomce from our house to do that. It's more a case of getting some extra spending money as opportunities present themselves. Also, we are (and hopefully will still be, if we get away on time) both under 40 and pretty fit and able, and would quite enjoy some occasional work.

First thought is, inevitably, deliveries. I'm working towards YM Offshore and have several years skippering experience in the commercial sector already, albeit with power boats. So maybe three or four delivey trips every year would hopefully be a worthwhile financial boost.

Second thought is, as one guy told me, 'fixing Halberg Rassies for wrinkly people'. I'm equally at home up a mast or squished into an engine bay, and optimistically I am hoping that these 'talents' should be useful since most liveaboard types are probably not quite sprightly enough to enjoy these tasks themselves. The difficulties are, I think:
- finding jobs that I, with no particular qualifications, can do that other cruisers can't do themselves
- persuading people to actually pay you, rather than just saying thanks or giving you a bottle of wine
- getting the word out that you are looking for work whilst continually moving to new locations
- doing all of the above without attracting the attention of local boatyards etc

I'm thinking that things like routine engine servicing, or going aloft to take photos of rigging terminals, change bulbs, etc, should all be well within my capabilities- but loads of other people can do these things too... so what are the chances anybody would be willing to pay? What about mundane stuff like varnishing?

Some make a fait old bit busking, so if you can play an instrument---
Some place es you need a permit, others not.

 

[BobnLesley]

...Over the years I have met many who propose to pay their way but the majority are not very successful and those that are often find the day-job detracts from the original dream.

That abou sums it up. Ocassional/casual jobs you'll get 'undercut' by the likes of myself and others who'll climb a mast/dive the hull/prop for a couple of beers to help out a fellow cruiser; if you try to get more serious about it, you'll find yourself stuck in one place working during the prime cruising months and if you do start to get successful, then the local (tax-paying/insured/certified) professionals, whose customers you're taking, will dob you in to the relevant authorities

 

[OldBawley]

I had ideas about doing some work on the way when leaving.
Very qualified. Trained as a mechanic, worked 25 years on shipyards, then run a boat shop.
Splicing, rigging, the whole lot.
Restored two wooden yachts myself. All of it with my own hands.
Since I was buying and selling (chandler ) I bought a lot of stuff of which I thought would be good business underway.

We left and one of the first things I learned was that sailing and travelling is a lot of fun, so I forgot about working.
Now 18 years later, most of the “Spare parts “ meant for selling are still on board and I never worked for money. Working for someone else is history for me.
I did a few skippering jobs, but only because I wanted to sail that big fast catamaran. The money was ok but I did it to sail a speed monster. I also took some people day sailing. They asked for a classic, ware directed to me. I was very picky about who I took sailing. No like, no sail.
I enjoyed some of those day sails so much that I refused to be paid by half of the clients. One very famous jazz musician wanted to pay, I refused, later he had some CD´s delivered.
All of that some time ago, would not try skippering now, climate has changed.

I do all maintenance and improvements on the boat myself, learned to SAIL the boat, that way money is not needed except for a tiny bit of diesel.
We sail a small low tech boat, costs are minimal. A new anchor chain and some new battery´s every few years is all it takes. O , forgot, a lot of luck is handy to.

If you don't have the money for food..... don't go. My experience is that knowing you don't have to work to sail is half of the happy feeling of freedom when sailing.

 

[Kelpie]

Some make a fait old bit busking, so if you can play an instrument---
Some place es you need a permit, others not.

Could certainly give that a go Have guitar, will travel.

 

[25931]

I started out with that idea 30 years ago and enjoyed it but Europe has become very bureaucratic and the competition can be fierce. If you can afford not to need to work you'll probably find some. Go and enjoy.

 

[nortada]

Some look out side the immediate boat based industries and grab casual labour when it is available.

Bar work, crop picking, cleaning but you will be up against the vested interests of the already well established local community.

 

[Mee]

 

[SteveSarabande]

If your doing it for beer tokens look out for the pros in the marina, they might not take it to kindly.

Not sure about the med, but in the Caribbbean your visa doesn't allow you to work. The locals or ex-pats with work permits will be happy enough to report you.

Keep it casual, low key and you may be ok.