Where’s the Money, Zin? — Life on a Yacht

Where’s the money? HOW? How can anyone live without working? society demands. It’s time to bring some order to the sources that replenish sea travellers’ budgets, based on our own experience and that of people we know. These include: — A steady passive income Where’s the money: dividends from that little candle factory you acquired earlier. Or, if not a factory, then at least an apartment. Income from renting out residential or commercial property is precisely the financial safety cushion that keeps a family from starving during a round-the-world voyage. — Remote work This is how programmers, designers, copywriters, teachers, psychologists, journalists and even doctors earn their living. Work can be organised in various ways: consultations via Skype or email, freelancing, and so on. Praise be to the global Internet! — Seasonal work This is when you “head north to earn some money,” where you can rake in enough from seasonal jobs. — Sponsors This is how they appear: travellers approach some manufacturer of navigation equipment and say, “I’m setting off on a round-the-world voyage, and I wish to paint your logo all over my sails and place it in the place of honour on my website, glorifying your company and equipment. The whole world will hear about you!” In return, you can score some money and receive the equipment itself for permanent (or temporary) use. — Earning money with your own boat Here you can take people on cruises—depending on the region, either intensively during the season or from time to time. Sailors whose boats are designed for cruising with passengers accommodated separately—a catamaran, for example—and who regularly recruit crews make a comfortable living from just that. You could hardly say they don’t work. You can take someone on as crew for an extended period so they can gain sailing experience—the price will be lower, while the crew member must be undemanding and a good fit in terms of personality. Yacht owners who sell places in amateur regattas of various levels are a category unto themselves. Taking part in a small sailing regatta among the islands somewhere in Greece might cost around €500. Prices for 600-mile races such as the Rolex Fastnet Race start at €1,500 and climb ever higher depending on how impressive the boat and skipper are. — Odd jobs in ports The possibilities here can be quite unexpected. Anything from bartender or guide to carpenter or marine mechanic. It all depends on what arrangements you can make—and whether you’re handy. In the azure bays of remote islands, seasoned budget cruisers sell wealthy charter guests exotic shells and handmade jewellery, as well as freshly caught fish. In European towns, they play guitar in the streets. Then they help their wealthy neighbours repair their yachts—the poor do their own repairs. There are plenty of options here: sail repairs (you’ll need a sewing machine), painting, hull cleaning, welding, electronics. Anything you can do on your own boat, you can try selling as a service to your well-off neighbours in the marina or anchorage. — Those with a way with words try to make money from their blogs Where’s the money? Interesting content plus competent SEO—and you’re already clipping coupons (or teeny-tiny coupons) from advertisers. Along the way, you also acquire an army of sympathisers “wishing to support the project.” The website provides payment details for them. From time to time, these willing souls are stirred into action with appeals such as: “Guys, we’re compl-e-etely out of money to keep delighting you with our latest adventures.” That is already fundraising for a round-the-world voyage. I recently came across a “Work for Food” campaign on one travel blog. The authors make dolls and jewellery in the Philippines and offer to exchange parcels: “You send me Russian treats from my list, and I’ll send you a parcel with a souvenir.” Barter, in other words :). You’re probably wondering what we live on 🙂 One of our sources of income is our fairytale house in the Altai Mountains, which, while its owners are away adventuring, has turned into the Gingerbread House® and welcomes guests, wanderers and lodgers all year round. And also renting out our own office and warehouse premises in Novosibirsk . We would be grateful if you would follow the link and share it with your friends 😉 Now that you know “where the money is,” you may also be wondering how much of it you need. How much does life on a yacht cost, and where can you save money— here >> . Friends, share your experiences! And if we’ve missed anything, please let us know in the comments.