I think most of us have had the same dream. Nothing wrong with dreaming,
and I think your plan is worth pursuing.

I don't want to be negative, but I think you should "try it before you
buy it", in several respects. First, you have little sailing
experience, and you have never lived on a boat, so you really don't know
whether you would enjoy it or not. That's not a reason not to do it, but
it does seem reasonable that you take some of the others' advice and
either charter or buy a boat on which you could live for at least six
months or so while working to see whether you really like it. - In our
area, there are lots of used boats in the 30-foot range in reasonably
good condition for under $20K. Obviously, you need to have a survey
(inspection) of the boat before you buy it. You also need to learn how
to sail, for which there are lots of instruction courses, books, etc. -
Again, you really don't know whether you will enjoy sailing or
live-aboarding as much as you think you will.

Secondly, if you are going to depend on the income from your new
business, it would seem reasonable to me that you ought to get it
started and see how it goes (even if expenses are reduced 50%) before
you commit to an entirely new lifestyle. You may be the world's best
photographer, and you may have good contacts, but that doesn't mean your
new business will pay the bills, buy new sails, pay for boat maintenance
and repairs, etc., over an extended period.

Third, let's assume that you learn to sail and you like it; that your
boat purchase or lease works out; your new business does OK; and you are
finally out of the rat race. - The following may sound like negative
parental advice, but have you included in your formula things like
medical insurance, savings, retirement, etc.? Of course, I don't know
anything about your current financial condition, but it's easy to decide
to live for the present and forget about the future, and then find out
that you have dug yourself into a hole that you really don't like.
Maybe you can give it a try for a few years and then try something else,
but if this is a lifestyle to which you are more or less committing
yourself, I think you should at least know what's involved with those
issues before you make a commitment. For example, as boring and
depressing as it may seem now, before you quit your job, check the costs
of full medical coverage for an individual, check on the amount of
savings needed to provide a given level of income later, check on the
amount of Social Security you would get if you start taking it before
reaching 65, and check on the maximum amount you would get with the
contributions you would expect from your photography business. Or, if
you have several millions sitting around, forget everything I said. -
I'm not saying don't do it. I'm just suggesting that you ought have your
eyes open before you "jump in."

Then, get a DVD of "Captain Ron" and watch it while drinking a margarita
or two. - If you get lost you can always come into port and ask
directions.

Jim



Jim K. wrote:
Hello all,

Man is the corporate filled with people lacking integrity, or what? I'm
fed up. After working in the corp world for over a decade, I'm working
on getting out.

I've been dragging my feet, but I started a company name for my
photography, and hope to start making money selling my photos. But I'm
not sure if I'll be able to make what I'm making now.

So question(s) #1:
- Will your overall expenses decrease by livingaboard, especially if
you don't tie up at a dock? Obviously rent/mortgage is decreased
drastically.
- Car, insurance, gas, repair, & inspection costs are gone. I have a
mountain bike and canoe if I need to hit the food market. Is it stupid
to have a small motocycle or scooter?
- Utilities? They should decrease, right? I love camping so luxuries
won't be missed.
- Are there charges for docking up and re-charging battteries and
getting water? How much?
- How many meals do you eat with fish you caught? So do food costs also
decrease?

But new costs - boat maintenance? Others? How much? So the main
questions is if overall expenses do decrease - by how much percentage
wise? By 50% - or even more. If by 50% than in essense my photography
could net me 1/2 what I currently making and I'll still be okay.

My experience: none.

I'll be going to the local sailing club - The Philadelphia Sailing Club
- and will inquire about membership. I know they also instruct. If it
takes 2 years - it takes 2 years. If it takes 4 years - then 4.
Whatever it takes, I'll wait but I feel I need to start now - I've been
thinking about this for a while and and I know myself well enough that
livingaboard would be the life for me. I don't know how many years it
will take to save for a boat and to learn the skills - but if I don't
start now, it will take even longer ot it will never happen.

4-5 years ago I slimmed down my possessions. I feel I need to slim them
down again. But what size boat would be a good size. Any
recommendations? Though I read 25-35 with 30' recommended. Correct?

My sailing needs/uses: I don't care about speed or racing - I'm a "stop
and smell the flowers" kind of guy. I would only need to sail to move
around to see a new place. Do not feel that I would ever need to be far
out to see but can see myself sailing from Florida to the Caribbean. I
would also use it to sail up and down the East Coast for photo
opportunities (fall foliage in Northeast in Sept/Oct., etc.) and to
attend art festivals where I could display my photography in Big
cities: Boston, New York, Philly, Washington DC, Baltimore, etc.

I might also sail around for contract work. I contacted well over 200
magazine publications and found ~ 50 that would be interested in my
photos and some of them hire you for a particular job - e.g. pics of
Sping hikers on the Applachian Trail in Virginia - whatever. That's it
- cruising around for fun and photos.

Any thoughts or advice.

Sorry for the looooong post - I'm normally not that gabby.
Jim