{"id":6799,"date":"2015-03-12T10:46:05","date_gmt":"2015-03-12T14:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/?p=6799"},"modified":"2015-03-12T10:46:05","modified_gmt":"2015-03-12T14:46:05","slug":"here-kitty-kitty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/here-kitty-kitty\/","title":{"rendered":"Here, Kitty Kitty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Working while cruising, can the two mix?\u00a0 (published October 2014)<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds good, doesn\u2019t it: working as you cruise around the globe. Many sailors fantasize about such an arrangement, but just how viable is it to work while you cruise? What are the risks and the limitations? What are the rewards?<\/p>\n

Many sailors really do manage to combine work and pleasure, financing their dreams in whole or in part by working as they go. Some are self-employed, working opportunistically as they sail. Others use modern technology to communicate with an employer or business back home. But working afloat has its headaches and compromises, just as real-life cruising does. The responsibilities of work can impact cruising plans and place considerable demands on fellow crew. Working requires self-discipline, organization, and in some cases, considerable investment. Sometimes, the freedom of cruising is sacrificed in favor of the job. On the other hand, the income earned allows sailors to stretch their time out cruising by seasons or even years. Many working cruisers report that their occupations also enrich their overall experience\u2014 connecting them to communities, helping others and keeping their professional skills sharp.<\/p>\n

What types of work are compatible with cruising? All kinds, it seems. There are writers, financial planners, and graphic artists, musicians, management consultants and resourceful jacks-of-all-trades. I spoke with a number of working sailors who shared their insights, advice and warnings so that others thinking of following their lead may do so with a realistic frame of reference.<\/p>\n

Helena Traksel of Merilelu<\/em>, a 1998 Dehler 40, may well have one of the more glamorous-sounding jobs afloat. The Dutch sailor left behind a career in architecture to turn her SCUBA diving hobby into a means to bring in cash while cruising the world. But it\u2019s not all play under the sea. In fact, hers is a demanding job that requires the full partnership of her husband, Kari, who prepares gear, fills tanks and stands by each dive. \u201cHe does as many hours as I do,\u201d Helena says. By teaching an average of four students a month, their combined efforts bring in enough cash to pay about a quarter of their modest cruising expenses. However, it\u2019s a high-investment profession when one considers the costs of PADI instructor training (upwards of $2,000) and equipment (including a compressor and four sets of SCUBA gear, which in turn require copious amounts of fuel and fresh water, not to mention precious space). The rewards of the working-cruising lifestyle, on the other hand, are many. \u201cAn architect is about stress, being in an office. I\u2019m blessed with two good professions, and opposite ones,\u201d says Helena.<\/p>\n

Helena\u2018s choice of work was carefully planned. \u201cI had been sailing before and I saw the market\u2014almost a need\u2014in remote places like the Marquesas.\u201d She keeps her \u201cbusiness\u201d small, using word-of-mouth advertising among fellow cruisers. In fact, she could work and earn more, but the Dutch diver strives to maintain a balance: \u201cThe idea is to see the world and work on the side, and not the opposite.\u201d
\nDive instruction is a good example of a job that doesn\u2019t usually restrict one\u2019s cruising schedule, since interesting anchorages and good diving often have much in common. Helena has taught fellow cruisers in some of the world\u2019s most remote and pristine dive locations, such as the lesser-known Tuamotus or the Cook Island atoll of Suwarrow. Not a bad arrangement!<\/p>\n

\"04.Alex_Kleeman\"<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not everyone plans to work and sail. For some, opportunity knocks and they don\u2019t turn a deaf ear. Alex Kleeman of Saltbreaker,<\/em> a 1979 Valliant 32, was ready to quit his job as a programmer to go sailing, but his San Francisco-based company just wasn\u2019t quite ready to let him go. Instead, they asked Alex to take on smaller, less urgent projects that could be worked on independently.<\/p>\n

After leaving California in September, 2011, the sailor worked roughly ten hours a week on the way south through Central America, cutting back while crossing the Pacific. As Alex says, \u201cThe opportunities I kept seeing around me seemed to trump work a lot. When the boat is floating over an impressive coral reef, you just have to go snorkeling!\u201d<\/p>\n

Once in New Zealand, however, he went back to thirty hours a week to top up the cruising kitty. \u201cIf I didn\u2019t work on the way over, I probably would have been flat broke when I showed up in New Zealand. With the work, I came out a little bit ahead. I kept thinking of it like bonus money. At this point (in New Zealand), it\u2019s very much replenishing.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Alex\u2019s case, working remotely requires only a laptop and the occasional Internet connection. Though Alex admits that he got lucky with his work situation, it\u2019s important to note that his \u201cluck\u201d might have turned out differently had he not established a solid, long-time working relationship with his company, proving his abilities and reliability. He advises others seeking a similar arrangement to be flexible, accepting a pay cut or less interesting projects in exchange for the freedom they gain.<\/p>\n

While Alex generally finds that work is compatible with cruising, he adds, \u201cthere are definitely times when I could not work: on passage or underway, unless it\u2019s really calm. Like, not moving!\u201d He adds, \u201cI can think all day and formulate what I want, but in the end I need to set aside a chunk of time to get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Bora<\/a>
Bora Bora<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Internet access is another restriction, but Alex found that he could work around that by preparing a queue of tasks to tick off when the opportunity arose. On the whole, he says, \u201ccruising and working tends to imply you\u2019re going slowly or spending more time in each place.\u201d As in everything with sailing, flexibility is key.<\/p>\n

Like Alex, a number of working cruisers maintain some ties to their former employers, such as Robert DeLong of Cricket,<\/em> a 1967 Alberg 37. Periodically throughout his trip from British Columbia to Panama, the mechanic would fly home for a few months of work, then pick up where he left off. Once word spread through the cruising fleet that there was a qualified marine diesel mechanic in their midst, he was able to work exclusively from his boat. Enough that if he wanted to, Robert could cover all of his cruising expenses (approximately $500 a month). But like other working cruisers, Robert limits his working hours to better enjoy the locations he visits. For him, the income allows luxuries such as restaurant meals and moorings that his modest budget wouldn\u2019t normally permit.
\nSurprisingly, his line of work is light on equipment. Since different engines require different tools, he relies heavily on the boat owner\u2019s tools along with his own basic kit. On the other hand, the work calls for a highly specialized skill set. Robert is an experienced marine diesel mechanic, not \u201cjust\u201d a general repairman. \u201cTime and time again, I\u2019m repairing things that are done by \u2018professionals.\u2019 Boat engines are amazingly complicated systems and very unforgiving,\u201d Robert warns. His qualifications are one reason he is in such high demand. Another is his generous approach. \u201cFor every hour I can charge, I spend two to three hours giving free advice,\u201d he admits. But, as he says, \u201cit\u2019s my community and I\u2019m helping them out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Work often impacts Robert\u2019s cruising schedule. \u201cIt affects my freedom because you make commitments. There\u2019s been a couple of times when I\u2019ve stayed behind because I had another two to three days of work to finish. You\u2019re suddenly responsible for two boats making their weather window.\u201d On the other hand, because he often stays longer in one place, Robert finds that he gets to know the local scene better than many cruisers who breeze through more quickly.<\/p>\n

Because Robert is a singlehander, work provides a social avenue. He enjoys meeting other sailors and encouraging them to do their own repairs. In doing so, he says, \u201cI\u2019m helping somebody become more proficient at living their dream.\u201d The satisfaction this brings has become an important aspect of Robert\u2019s cruising experience. Like Helena, the SCUBA instructor, Robert is careful not to tread on the toes of local business people. Much of the work he does is in out of the way places. Just try calling a mechanic in to Fatu Hiva or Minerva Reef! His advice to others? \u201cIf you want to make a living making your way across the Pacific, develop a skill in electronics (radar, autopilots, AIS) because no one has it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Another way of earning money is to use your sailing skills as a means to finance adventures afloat. When Maine-based sailors Bob and Maggie Daigle returned from a world circumnavigation aboard a friend\u2019s yacht, they weren\u2019t ready to swallow the hook. Instead of returning to their careers, they moved into charter work, a step facilitated by the contacts they made during their circumnavigation. Now, the licensed captains run a privately owned charter catamaran in the Virgin Islands. However, the couple agrees that \u201cit is a totally different mindset from cruising,\u201d more work than play.<\/p>\n

This line of work requires multiple certifications, from United States and B.V.I.-recognized captain\u2019s licenses to special endorsements required to operate a charter yacht. And there\u2019s no underestimating the amount of work involved, Bob reports. \u201cBoth of us agree we\u00b4ve never worked quite so hard before. During the charter we are literally on from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.\u2014with half an eye open in the night as well. The boat is heavily used, so we have probably 10 to 15 items to fix, replace or install during our 24 hours between the end of one charter and the beginning of the next. This job may seem glamorous, but I don\u00b4t think I have a T-shirt left that isn\u00b4t free of oil stains!\u201d Their schedule is centered around guest bookings, which usually prevent family visits during holiday periods.<\/p>\n

So why bother? For one thing, it allows the couple to do what they love in a beautiful region, in addition to making interesting new acquaintances\u2014even lifelong friendships\u2014with guests, many of whom have become regulars. The couple enjoys working as a team, too. \u201cThis crewed charter business is taking full advantage of each of our skill sets and stretching both of us continually to learn new things,\u201d Bob explains. One perk is the eight-month-on\/four-month-off schedule, which allows the couple to relax and recuperate during the summer.<\/p>\n

Another positive is that charter crews essentially pocket all their earnings (a 50-50 mix of tips and payment per charter from the boat owner), since their expenses during the season are virtually nothing. It did take a season for the Daigles to establish themselves in the business, but since then, bookings have kept this crew bustling.<\/p>\n

But the job is not for everyone, Maggie cautions. \u201cThis is definitely not a job for a couple who wants to \u2018live the dream\u2019 for the first time.\u201d Bob suggests that sailors \u201ctake a year or two and go cruising to make sure you really like this lifestyle. After confirming this, you can introduce guests into the picture.\u201d That said, the couple positively glows with satisfaction at their overall work \u201cpackage.\u201d All in all, working as professional crew is an enticing prospect for those with the right resolve and qualifications, and doesn\u2019t necessarily require boat ownership.<\/p>\n

\"Nadine<\/a>
Nadine Slavinski<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Full-time cruising provides an abundance of time and inspiration, a perfect foundation for aspiring writers. Some sailor-authors write for periodicals; others pen entire books, from novels to non-fiction. For most, writing is an enjoyable hobby that brings in the occasional bonus rather than a means of underwriting the lifestyle. Personally, writing helps cement vivid impressions in my mind, as well as inspiring me to observe people, places and situations more closely than I might otherwise have. It\u2019s a low-investment, flexible line of work that puts few demands on fellow crew and rarely impacts cruising plans. However, like many other working cruisers report, it can be difficult to get a lot accomplished when the boat is in motion. Most writers carve out quiet time at anchor to further their literary aspirations. This, in turn, makes it a challenge to balance the amount of time devoted to \u201cwork\u201d with time spent enjoying the surroundings, a conundrum faced by all working cruisers.<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/a>
Bob and Maggie Daigle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Given the vast range of possibilities in working while cruising, what are the commonalities? All the working cruisers I spoke with have mastered valuable skill sets; they are flexible, disciplined people, and they cruise on modest budgets. For most, hitting their stride in terms of work took some time. Finally, most agree that it can be difficult to use time underway productively. Rather, it is down time that falls victim to work. Like everything else about sailing, there are compromises to be made, though the parameters are largely of one\u2019s own making.<\/p>\n

Is working while cruising for you? With reasonable qualifications and modest expectations, it certainly is worth a try. Ultimately, most cruisers who work agree that their efforts pay off\u2014and not just in the monetary sense.<\/p>\n

Nadine Slavinski is the author of <\/em>Lesson Plans Ahoy: Hands-On Learning for Sailing Children and Home Schooling Sailors. Together with her husband and young son, she cruised the Atlantic and Pacific aboard her 1981 Dufour 35, <\/em>Namani. She is currently at work on <\/em>The Silver Spider, a novel of sailing and suspense, as well as <\/em>Pacific Crossing Notes: A Sailor\u2019s Guide to the Coconut Milk Run (see nslavinski.com<\/a> for more information and free resources on home schooling).<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Working while cruising, can the two mix?\u00a0 (published October 2014) Sounds good, doesn\u2019t it: working as you cruise around the globe. Many sailors fantasize about such […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":6801,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[116,307,95],"class_list":["post-6799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cruising-news","tag-bluewater-cruising","tag-liveaboard","tag-nadine-slavinski"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6799"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6806,"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6799\/revisions\/6806"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bwsailing.com\/bw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}