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

"Jim K." wrote in message
ups.com...
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.

Having been in the corporate world for 25+ years, I feel your pain.

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.

I know some photographers who make tons of money. Others are barely getting
by. I can't comment beyond that.


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.

Possibly less.. certainly less if you put your mind to it.

- 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?

Seems reasonable to me.

- Utilities? They should decrease, right? I love camping so luxuries
won't be missed.

Yup.

- Are there charges for docking up and re-charging battteries and
getting water? How much?

Yup. Depends on the marina. Not much typically. Get solar panels, then you
won't have to charge the bats so often.

- How many meals do you eat with fish you caught? So do food costs also
decrease?

I wouldn't bet on it. Much of the expense is all the other stuff besides the
main course.


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.

Yup.. depends on the boat, the issues. Figure $4-10K per year or more or
less in maintenance.

My experience: none.

Time to get some. Get out on the water. Take classes, hitch rides,
volunteer. You need to get experience sailing and on lots of different
boats.

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?

30 seems about right. Of course, there are always people who jam into
something smaller, but why live in a cramped space.

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.

Ask more specific questions, you'll get more specific responses...

Jonathan

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Capt. JG wrote:


I know some photographers who make tons of money. Others are barely getting
by. I can't comment beyond that.

Correct - that's the difference between a job with a boss and being
self-employed. I'm a competent photographer and have been honing my
writing skills for years - travel photog/writing is also a possibility.
And like I said I've already found my target mags that buy my type of
photog.



- Are there charges for docking up and re-charging battteries and
getting water? How much?

Yup. Depends on the marina. Not much typically. Get solar panels, then you
won't have to charge the bats so often.

Definitely though of solar panels. And the idea I had was this: car
batteries are constantly kept cvharged by a belt driven alternator. Why
can't a shaft driven alternator do the same for boat batteries? And
powering the shaft? The wind/breeze via a small windmill type thingie.
Put it on at night. You'd probably have to build it yourself or have an
engineer design and build it - but have a windmill that connects and
thus turns a shaft in the column - the shaft goes down through the boat
to a a gear or belt which runs the alternator(s) - what do you think?


- How many meals do you eat with fish you caught? So do food costs also
decrease?

I wouldn't bet on it. Much of the expense is all the other stuff besides the
main course.


Got it.

But new costs - boat maintenance?

Yup.. depends on the boat, the issues. Figure $4-10K per year or more or
less in maintenance.


Got it.


My experience: none.

Time to get some. Get out on the water. Take classes, hitch rides,
volunteer. You need to get experience sailing and on lots of different
boats.


Already in the works - will join the Philadelphia Sailing Club and they
have a instruction class in 2 weeks in Maryland - and I will spend the
next "X" number of years learning and sailing as well. I am shooting
for a target of at best 4 years from now, but am prepared if it takes
longer - as long as it takes.

Ask more specific questions, you'll get more specific responses...

As I learn more I'll ask more - thanks!
Jim

"Jim K." wrote in message
oups.com...

Capt. JG wrote:
- Are there charges for docking up and re-charging battteries and
getting water? How much?

Yup. Depends on the marina. Not much typically. Get solar panels, then
you
won't have to charge the bats so often.

Definitely though of solar panels. And the idea I had was this: car
batteries are constantly kept cvharged by a belt driven alternator. Why
can't a shaft driven alternator do the same for boat batteries? And
powering the shaft? The wind/breeze via a small windmill type thingie.
Put it on at night. You'd probably have to build it yourself or have an
engineer design and build it - but have a windmill that connects and
thus turns a shaft in the column - the shaft goes down through the boat
to a a gear or belt which runs the alternator(s) - what do you think?

I think you'll not get enough current to do much beyond trickle charging,
but I don't know. Not my area.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Jim K." wrote in message
oups.com..
..


Definitely though of solar panels. And the idea I had was
this: car
batteries are constantly kept cvharged by a belt driven
alternator. Why
can't a shaft driven alternator do the same for boat
batteries? And
powering the shaft? The wind/breeze via a small windmill
type thingie.
Put it on at night. You'd probably have to build it
yourself or have an
engineer design and build it - but have a windmill that
connects and
thus turns a shaft in the column - the shaft goes down
through the boat
to a a gear or belt which runs the alternator(s) - what do
you think?

BRILLIANT! You should patent this wind mill charging
thingie, quick before somebody else makes one.

SV

Scotty wrote:
BRILLIANT! You should patent this wind mill charging
thingie, quick before somebody else makes one.

I already found a forum where a person mentions he uses solar panels, a
genset AND wind generators - I only mentioned that 'cause I didn't know
they were used - that's it - and I know I didn't invent something new -
just a thought on how to easily build your own to charge batteries -
thanks for the kind words scotty.

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.

It depends entirely on you. You can live for almost nothing on a
boat, or you can spend a fortune. Its very easy to say you don't need
much, but have you ever lived really cheap?


- 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?

maybe. I've seen helicopters and cars on boats, but most cruisers get
by with a bicycle.

- 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?
Dock space is 1 to 3 dollars a foot per night for transients. If you
go that route, your expenses will go way up. You should be able to
recharge batteries by running the engine - if you're traveling an hour
or so a day would be more than sufficient. Actually, if you don't
have a fridge, a small solar panel might be enough.

- How many meals do you eat with fish you caught? So do food costs also
decrease?

I've never seen anyone make a serious dent in the food budget that
way, but it varies a lot with locale.


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.

There's no way to say. Can you do engine maintenance? Can you sew sails?



My experience: none.

Then get some experience so you can ask intelligent questions.


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?

Yes, if you're alone. Is that how you plan to spend your life?



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 to be a bit pessimistic or sarcastic - every month or two
someone posts an almost identical post - "I don't know anything about
boats but I plan to learn and then move aboard and cruise the world.
What should I do first?" The truth is that most cruisers have some
experience before they take off, and most of the horror stories we
hear are from those who decided they could learn on the way. Spend a
couple of years learning to sail. Seek out the local live-aboard
marina and try to meet people there.

BTW, my closest sailing friends have lived aboard for 26 years on a
*very* low budget, so it can definitely be done. The real question is
whether you're suited for the life-style.

Jeff wrote:
Its very easy to say you don't need
much, but have you ever lived really cheap?

Besides growing up poor - yes - just out of college - I was working as
a portrait phootographer making $6.50 an hour - I delevered pizza on my
days off - was working 7 days a week for ~ 6 months - ended up quitting
my Monday deliveries for one day off a week - then worked 6 days a week
for the next 6 months - then landed my first job - a QC inspector
making $22K per year - did that for almost 2 years then landed a
Production Planner job - $25K - got a raise to 30K a year later and my
salary has been increasing ever since - that Planner position was over
7 years ago and 2 companies later.

So out of college I lived real cheap for a # of years.

maybe. I've seen helicopters and cars on boats, but most cruisers get
by with a bicycle.

Got one - trek mountain bike.


Dock space is 1 to 3 dollars a foot per night for transients.

That's not cheap - anchor in bays instead?

You should be able to
recharge batteries by running the engine - if you're traveling an hour
or so a day would be more than sufficient.

Got it.

Actually, if you don't
have a fridge, a small solar panel might be enough.

SEe my idea about a wind powered alternator - don't see why that
wouldn't work for batteries and a fridge.


- How many meals do you eat with fish you caught? So do food costs also
decrease?

I've never seen anyone make a serious dent in the food budget that
way, but it varies a lot with locale.


Yeah, already was told that - was just thinking it might help. I also
think that deer hunting would help as well.


There's no way to say. Can you do engine maintenance? Can you sew sails?

Now - no - but I'm a self tuaght photographer, self taught musician and
went to school for a technical biz degree as well as an Industrial
Engineering degree - there is nothing that I can't learn or figure out
- do you think thay are 2 important skills that I should start working
on?


My experience: none.

Then get some experience so you can ask intelligent questions.


Already working on it.

Yes, if you're alone. Is that how you plan to spend your life?

Would like a woman by my side - but I'm alone at the present, so I
guess the answer is yes. That's not so bad.


The truth is that most cruisers have some
experience before they take off, and most of the horror stories we
hear are from those who decided they could learn on the way. Spend a
couple of years learning to sail.

I'm planning on spending 4 years - that wwill give me enough time to
save money for the boat as well and build a photog biz - I'm not an
idiot - I'm not about to jump into something like this - my vision is
at least 4 years out but am prepared to wait longer if need be.

Seek out the local live-aboard
marina and try to meet people there.

Would love to - how do I find them? Wonder if there's one here in
Philly\.

BTW, my closest sailing friends have lived aboard for 26 years on a
*very* low budget, so it can definitely be done. The real question is
whether you're suited for the life-style.

Put it this way - I am so friggin unhappy working in a corporate
environment where ass-kissing and being two-faced is rewarded with
promotions and where not being that kind of person is punished - I want
out - I need out - I have friends but I am a solitary person - I love
photog and playing guitar.

There is no IF about whether or not I can learn to sail or learn to fix
engines or sew sails - I will learn those things. There is no IF about
whether or not the lifestyle is for me or IF I will enjoy it - Come and
work in the ******** I work in and you'll do anythging to get out - and
my last 2 companies were not much different. There is not an issue
about whether or not I'll have enough space - I already have given away
a lot of my possessions and feel the need to do another "cleaning".

There is only one IF - or should I say "CAN" - CAN I make money as a
freelance photographer and if so how much or how little? That is the
only variable that needs to be addressed.

4-10K a year on boat maintenance and costs? A few years back I cut all
unnecessary spending andd recorded every dollar I spent. I cooked all
my own meals and I averaged $200 a month on groceries - that's on
average $2400 per year. So can I make $6400 - $12,400 a year? Even a
bad photographer makes that much. I gaurantee you I'm good enough to
make more than $1000 a month. An art gallery exhibit or an art festival
could make me that much in a few days. And most of my photogs will go
for at least $100 but more often $200 and up. And take mags like
Backpacker t hat pay $400 a day for a minimun of 5 days of backpacking
and photos - I slready contacted them - they just need to see my pics
before they hire me - so it jsut boils down to doing a few hikes a year
for them which will be hard work but so what. And that's just one mag
that does conttract work like that.


Thanks for your help.
Jim

"Jim K." wrote in message
oups.com..
...


Yeah, already was told that - was just thinking it might
help. I also
think that deer hunting would help as well.


Yeah, those salt water deer are real tasty. And since
they're already 'salted', you can store all that meat on the
deck.


There's no way to say. Can you do engine maintenance?
Can you sew sails?

Now - no - but I'm a self tuaght photographer, self taught
musician and
went to school for a technical biz degree as well as an
Industrial
Engineering degree - there is nothing that I can't learn
or figure out



Then why don't you teach yourself to sail?





Would like a woman by my side - but I'm alone at the
present,

No surprise there.




..

Even a
bad photographer makes that much.



Bob is a bad photographer, and he makes zilch. He sponges
off his wife. Maybe you should try that approach.

Scotty wrote:
Yeah, already was told that - was just thinking it might
help. I also
think that deer hunting would help as well.


Yeah, those salt water deer are real tasty. And since
they're already 'salted', you can store all that meat on the
deck.


There are deer all over Assateague Island and they allow hunting -
didn't you know that? Dock in Ocean City and hit the island and hunt.
It's a fairly simple concept. And those critters are friggin
everywhere. A lot of times there are mass hunting to thin their #'s.


Then why don't you teach yourself to sail?

Well that would be stupid and time-consuming - my point was that there
is nothing I can;'t learn.


No surprise there.


Wow - that was uncalled for - did I offend you somehow or do you just
like getting off on your bad side?

Bob is a bad photographer, and he makes zilch. He sponges
off his wife. Maybe you should try that approach.

Go away troll.