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too quick to judge
I'm not sure why you are so quick to judge, or why I would lie about a my dreams... I suppose I could go into more detail but I thought my post was long enough... the short of it though is that I needed money to fund this dream, So I left one career(I was a Vet Tech which is pretty low pay) and chose a field that would make me more money (Business Analyst for a National Payroll/HR PEO industry) - now between what I've saved and an investor when I return, I am nearing the execution of my dream. The job, while making me good money, wasn't rewarding in my heart, so yes, I could continue to work as currently, but I would never be happy and would always day dream of the sweels of the sea... Quite honestly, I really just thought I would throw in my two cents, A friend of mine sent me the link for sailboatowners.com today and this was the first post I read, it struck a chord with me. I appreciate your sense of hesitation, I always second guess what I see online, but my words are genuine *Landlocked, I hope it all works out for you, not everyone will actualize their dreams, but I hope you're one of the few who do
I'm not sure why you are so quick to judge, or why I would lie about a my dreams... I suppose I could go into more detail but I thought my post was long enough... the short of it though is that I needed money to fund this dream, So I left one career(I was a Vet Tech which is pretty low pay) and chose a field that would make me more money (Business Analyst for a National Payroll/HR PEO industry) - now between what I've saved and an investor when I return, I am nearing the execution of my dream. The job, while making me good money, wasn't rewarding in my heart, so yes, I could continue to work as currently, but I would never be happy and would always day dream of the sweels of the sea... Quite honestly, I really just thought I would throw in my two cents, A friend of mine sent me the link for sailboatowners.com today and this was the first post I read, it struck a chord with me. I appreciate your sense of hesitation, I always second guess what I see online, but my words are genuine *Landlocked, I hope it all works out for you, not everyone will actualize their dreams, but I hope you're one of the few who do
Give this guy a call. He's awesome and connected
Gary Gilpin who is well connected and does TransPac is at 562 458 6258; he's looking for help in someone to clean boats etc. It may be a good way for you to get your sight bearings and at the same time help Gary out. We're his clients on a purchase of a 36 Catalina.
Gary Gilpin who is well connected and does TransPac is at 562 458 6258; he's looking for help in someone to clean boats etc. It may be a good way for you to get your sight bearings and at the same time help Gary out. We're his clients on a purchase of a 36 Catalina.
Common conundrum
As I get older I try to enjoy the ride along the way instead of always looking for the "next best thing" that will magically make me happy. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but you have to mow it too. That being said, I can certainly relate to the struggle of trying to be successful and also doing something professionally that makes you happy. I graduated from a large university - I didn't find my "calling" there but ended up in the .com world after some time in a boat yard, doing well in the late 90s (it was pretty hard not to do well in this sector at the time). I gave it up to get back into the marine industry in 2000, right before the .com bust. People thought I was crazy at the time but I'm glad I made the move. I've since worked at a sailing related online business (here!), then on to a large sailboat dealer and now manage a cruising boat brick and mortar store - I call it a toy store since we carry all the cool stuff I want for my boat! I don't get out on new boats much for work anymore (it's a regular day job inside) but I love the segment and get to work with people out there "doing it" and get to play with new boat toys! I hope to get off the dock for an extended multi-year cruise in the next couple years - I don't know how yet, but I'm working on it! Have a goal but have fun along the way! Trevor
As I get older I try to enjoy the ride along the way instead of always looking for the "next best thing" that will magically make me happy. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but you have to mow it too. That being said, I can certainly relate to the struggle of trying to be successful and also doing something professionally that makes you happy. I graduated from a large university - I didn't find my "calling" there but ended up in the .com world after some time in a boat yard, doing well in the late 90s (it was pretty hard not to do well in this sector at the time). I gave it up to get back into the marine industry in 2000, right before the .com bust. People thought I was crazy at the time but I'm glad I made the move. I've since worked at a sailing related online business (here!), then on to a large sailboat dealer and now manage a cruising boat brick and mortar store - I call it a toy store since we carry all the cool stuff I want for my boat! I don't get out on new boats much for work anymore (it's a regular day job inside) but I love the segment and get to work with people out there "doing it" and get to play with new boat toys! I hope to get off the dock for an extended multi-year cruise in the next couple years - I don't know how yet, but I'm working on it! Have a goal but have fun along the way! Trevor
Five Suggestions
Landlocked, Most of the suggestions on this thread are not helpful. Try these: 1. Professional Boat-Sitter, I live a long way from my boat, my boat-sitter fixes all sorts of stuff and gets my boat ready so I can sail without having to worry about fixing things. He looks after 12 boats in one marina and 10 in another and makes a good living. Lot of wealthy guys around who are sick of being ripped off by boatyards. 2. Boat broker with a specialty in boat financing. Leverage your past experience doing something you like. ie. hanging around boats. 3. Sailing instructor. Minor salary but a lot of pleasure if you like teaching. Might also meet some great chicks. 4. By a 45 footer and take stressed-out execs on charter trips away from it all. 5. Become a liveaboard Good luck Peter
Landlocked, Most of the suggestions on this thread are not helpful. Try these: 1. Professional Boat-Sitter, I live a long way from my boat, my boat-sitter fixes all sorts of stuff and gets my boat ready so I can sail without having to worry about fixing things. He looks after 12 boats in one marina and 10 in another and makes a good living. Lot of wealthy guys around who are sick of being ripped off by boatyards. 2. Boat broker with a specialty in boat financing. Leverage your past experience doing something you like. ie. hanging around boats. 3. Sailing instructor. Minor salary but a lot of pleasure if you like teaching. Might also meet some great chicks. 4. By a 45 footer and take stressed-out execs on charter trips away from it all. 5. Become a liveaboard Good luck Peter
Captains License in Cap'n Crunch,
Or some other cereal box, and I am hearing that these school are 'selling' a USCG LICENSE now days too, but good delivery skippers are hard to find, and don't have to hunt down work, and there are some people who are 'licensed' but insurance companies will not cover them under the "Jones Act" because they are cowboys, or not enough experience. You can become a delivery skipper, but you need to crew for many, many trips to be good, safe and confident, regardless of the exam, which is a tough one. The real one is, if you do not know which one you're getting...;-) Can be very fun while you're young, was for me, and is always rewarding too, but don't expect a pat on the back from the owners. They may need you, but they nearly always say that they do not, "I can do it myself, but I just don't have the time" this is a very common sentence, but makes one wonder why, if he really can navigate the vessel through bluewater, why he doesn't? If he doesn't have the time, then will he have another 'skipper' take it out to enjoy it for him too? There is little or no pay for crewing, but if you are mechanically inclined, and a good crew you can get paid. All expenses are paid by the owner, airfare, meals, taxis etc. As a skipper you have a heavy responsibility, and the good ones are not overconfident, but more slow, methodical and careful; always ready for a pulse of action if need be, thought out in advance if possible. Another field is as a
Or some other cereal box, and I am hearing that these school are 'selling' a USCG LICENSE now days too, but good delivery skippers are hard to find, and don't have to hunt down work, and there are some people who are 'licensed' but insurance companies will not cover them under the "Jones Act" because they are cowboys, or not enough experience. You can become a delivery skipper, but you need to crew for many, many trips to be good, safe and confident, regardless of the exam, which is a tough one. The real one is, if you do not know which one you're getting...;-) Can be very fun while you're young, was for me, and is always rewarding too, but don't expect a pat on the back from the owners. They may need you, but they nearly always say that they do not, "I can do it myself, but I just don't have the time" this is a very common sentence, but makes one wonder why, if he really can navigate the vessel through bluewater, why he doesn't? If he doesn't have the time, then will he have another 'skipper' take it out to enjoy it for him too? There is little or no pay for crewing, but if you are mechanically inclined, and a good crew you can get paid. All expenses are paid by the owner, airfare, meals, taxis etc. As a skipper you have a heavy responsibility, and the good ones are not overconfident, but more slow, methodical and careful; always ready for a pulse of action if need be, thought out in advance if possible. Another field is as a
Wow
Thanks for all the responses. I had known that millions before me had sat and pondered their path at these very same crossroads(it was evident by all the empty water bottles and crumbled up pieces off paper left scattered on the ground), and although some seem a little bitter, I wasnt asking for judgements, only for advice, the majority of your thoughts/opinions are sincerely appreciated. I wasnt trying to badmouth anyone in particular living here in LA, but if youve ever lived here you know what I mean. I shouldnt have said that I had abandoned my career, only my career path, and I do realize that owning/operating my own business will give me less off time than the two days a week I had to look forward too working in the wonderful world of finance, but I believe that I can work without defining my happiness as 2 on 5 off. I know that I would grow bitter if I lived my life without paying attention to and acting upon all that I learn. I can only listen to my heart and have faith that I can eventually reach economic freedom by doing some "job" that motivates me to place my feet on the ground everymorning, a "job" that accumulates not only stacks of special green paper that store my wealth, but also stacks of memories that store a lifetime of purpose and happiness. Thanks again everyone, I definetly have a better idea of what avenues to approach and what to watch out for. I hope the thread continues.
Thanks for all the responses. I had known that millions before me had sat and pondered their path at these very same crossroads(it was evident by all the empty water bottles and crumbled up pieces off paper left scattered on the ground), and although some seem a little bitter, I wasnt asking for judgements, only for advice, the majority of your thoughts/opinions are sincerely appreciated. I wasnt trying to badmouth anyone in particular living here in LA, but if youve ever lived here you know what I mean. I shouldnt have said that I had abandoned my career, only my career path, and I do realize that owning/operating my own business will give me less off time than the two days a week I had to look forward too working in the wonderful world of finance, but I believe that I can work without defining my happiness as 2 on 5 off. I know that I would grow bitter if I lived my life without paying attention to and acting upon all that I learn. I can only listen to my heart and have faith that I can eventually reach economic freedom by doing some "job" that motivates me to place my feet on the ground everymorning, a "job" that accumulates not only stacks of special green paper that store my wealth, but also stacks of memories that store a lifetime of purpose and happiness. Thanks again everyone, I definetly have a better idea of what avenues to approach and what to watch out for. I hope the thread continues.
Landlocked, The one thing that I didn't
see here was the advise given in the early eighties when thousands of management type people were loosing their jobs. The question was :" IF you could be doing anything in this world that you wanted to do, What would it be? Next question: Are you qualified? How can you get qualified. Response to the complaint," It will take five years to get qualified!" Those five years will go by anyway. Make a plan, A VERY detailed plan! follow it, critique it, revise it, but don't abandon it! I have been in a home repair business for 28 years. Prior to that I worked more different kinds of jobs than most people know about. All the while I was working I was learning the needs of homeowners, listening to their complaints. A house is far more complex than a boat and there are many more of them. Still every now and then I ask myself the Question,"If I could be doing any thing else, what would it be. As a result I have 18 semester hours of accounting, have had a Real Estate license, have taken several apprasial courses besides all of the non-credit courses for skills in home repair. You are still young, there is a constant need for intelligent people in every trade, craft, and business. You can work for a year or two in some job just to see if you like the work. If something else attracts your attention give your notice and go for the experience. Life is too short to work at something you don't like. I have friends that were at loose ends one summer a couple of years ago, trying to start a rigging business and stay alive. I hired them to help me with the remodeling and modernizing of a 1932 built farm house. Suzanne thanked me at one point for the oppertunity to have another way to avoid starvation. She knew that she was learning a marketable skill. Ross
see here was the advise given in the early eighties when thousands of management type people were loosing their jobs. The question was :" IF you could be doing anything in this world that you wanted to do, What would it be? Next question: Are you qualified? How can you get qualified. Response to the complaint," It will take five years to get qualified!" Those five years will go by anyway. Make a plan, A VERY detailed plan! follow it, critique it, revise it, but don't abandon it! I have been in a home repair business for 28 years. Prior to that I worked more different kinds of jobs than most people know about. All the while I was working I was learning the needs of homeowners, listening to their complaints. A house is far more complex than a boat and there are many more of them. Still every now and then I ask myself the Question,"If I could be doing any thing else, what would it be. As a result I have 18 semester hours of accounting, have had a Real Estate license, have taken several apprasial courses besides all of the non-credit courses for skills in home repair. You are still young, there is a constant need for intelligent people in every trade, craft, and business. You can work for a year or two in some job just to see if you like the work. If something else attracts your attention give your notice and go for the experience. Life is too short to work at something you don't like. I have friends that were at loose ends one summer a couple of years ago, trying to start a rigging business and stay alive. I hired them to help me with the remodeling and modernizing of a 1932 built farm house. Suzanne thanked me at one point for the oppertunity to have another way to avoid starvation. She knew that she was learning a marketable skill. Ross
do what you love to do!
landlocked; if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. you will make a living, may not get rich, but maybe you will. you'll be all the happier and will probably live a lot longer and be healthier for it. Que Pasa?
landlocked; if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. you will make a living, may not get rich, but maybe you will. you'll be all the happier and will probably live a lot longer and be healthier for it. Que Pasa?
Really Roused the Gang!
Landlocked, you really hit a nerve with many of us sailors whom as a whole are wonderlust romantics that have to pinch themselves each day to stay in the real world! Lots of great suggestions on how to break in, but if you want the best of both worlds and thats still using your talents with the business you have now is to simply buy a sailboat or powerboat to live on. Living aboard is an alternate lifestyle, but its the most fun you'll ever have that can easily relieve the stresses of any job. No one can really tell you what is best in the marine industry; heck, the first thing I am going to do soon is get a job at my boat parts store and pass on my 30+ years of boating wisdom to whom ever can gain from it. Its not the money, its the pure love of it. One suggestion I have though is to check out the Chapmans School of Seamanship (Port Salerno, Florida). They have courses and certifications that run from a few months to a few years that can offer surveying (SAMS), crew certifications (great job placement on huge corporate yachts as a able bodied seaman where you can work toward your captains license) and a host of other courses. Good pay, free room and board, exciting ports of call, and fun owners. A friend was a crew member on Jackie Gleason yacht and loved every minute of it. They have trained folks like yourself from varying backgrounds who want to venture into a lifetime occupation with boats. Check them out on the web. Your on your way............. Good luck Bob Catalina 30
Landlocked, you really hit a nerve with many of us sailors whom as a whole are wonderlust romantics that have to pinch themselves each day to stay in the real world! Lots of great suggestions on how to break in, but if you want the best of both worlds and thats still using your talents with the business you have now is to simply buy a sailboat or powerboat to live on. Living aboard is an alternate lifestyle, but its the most fun you'll ever have that can easily relieve the stresses of any job. No one can really tell you what is best in the marine industry; heck, the first thing I am going to do soon is get a job at my boat parts store and pass on my 30+ years of boating wisdom to whom ever can gain from it. Its not the money, its the pure love of it. One suggestion I have though is to check out the Chapmans School of Seamanship (Port Salerno, Florida). They have courses and certifications that run from a few months to a few years that can offer surveying (SAMS), crew certifications (great job placement on huge corporate yachts as a able bodied seaman where you can work toward your captains license) and a host of other courses. Good pay, free room and board, exciting ports of call, and fun owners. A friend was a crew member on Jackie Gleason yacht and loved every minute of it. They have trained folks like yourself from varying backgrounds who want to venture into a lifetime occupation with boats. Check them out on the web. Your on your way............. Good luck Bob Catalina 30
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