YachtMaster: Sailing as a career

delop

I did my Yachtmaster about 2 years ago in an effort to change career, I usually have no trouble finding a job in Ireland and the rest of europe during the summers, although the pay is quite low, but then again, I suppose its a lifestyle not a job :-)

The trouble I have is finding winter work, I would be very interested in hearing from anyone that has successfully found winter work and how they went about it, and would be happy to pass on any information to anyone thats thinking of getting into sailing, or even options to travel the world learning how to sail, a nice alternative to the backpacking Year out thingy people do...

Wez

I'm very eager to be a yachstmaster when I'm older. I read about a course in the uk that you can do and people apply to them looking for captains and engineers etc. They teach both courses, they take something like 6 weeks and cost around £10,000 sterling. I'd love to do it as a long term career, but I never thought about the problems you're having. Where abouts did you do the course?

Captain Moore

delop

Did my course with Flying Fish, www.flyingfishonline.com
There are cheaper more longterm ways of doing it, If at the time I was in my early 20's rather than my late 20's I would have done it the cheaper way.. Its a moot point though as I probably only had the 10 G as I was older....

thalia

delop wrote:

I did my Yachtmaster about 2 years ago in an effort to change career, I usually have no trouble finding a job in Ireland and the rest of europe during the summers, although the pay is quite low, but then again, I suppose its a lifestyle not a job :-)

The trouble I have is finding winter work, I would be very interested in hearing from anyone that has successfully found winter work and how they went about it, and would be happy to pass on any information to anyone thats thinking of getting into sailing, or even options to travel the world learning how to sail, a nice alternative to the backpacking Year out thingy people do...

Why dont you try working as a ski rep during the winter. I know a number of guys who teach yachting during the Summer - in the Med or the Netherlands - and live and work as ski instructors or reps during the winter. Alternately go to the other hemisphere for the winter - where it is warm and there will be plenty of sailing.

delop

Looked into that, Dont think Ill ever have 10g to blow again on another course, I was in OZ last christmass, but its difficult to get proper visa's + the YM ticket is just not enough for them for some reason, you have to do an exam to become a coxwain, and then you find out that thats only in NSW, if you want to work in Queensland, you have too do more bull**** exams, very exausting....

And then Thailand only hires locals, in fact most countries do, Might look into India next winter...

Wez

I know a few guys all over Australia, might be able to ask them any questions you have. I'm seriously thinking of moving over there in a few years. I'm massive into bikes, and with the difference in insurance, in one year, you'd save enough money to pay for flights and a bit of accomodation. Just gotta wrap up everything here and I'm ready to rock and roll. Even their winters aren't all that bad. They showed me what it's like, there was a fair bit of rain (a small flood since the drains aren't mad for much) and there's cracking blue skies! It's a joke! I don't know why I stay here.. Loads of mates moved over there and are delighted with it.

Captain Moore

code 0

delop wrote: »

I did my Yachtmaster about 2 years ago in an effort to change career, I usually have no trouble finding a job in Ireland and the rest of europe during the summers, although the pay is quite low, but then again, I suppose its a lifestyle not a job :-)

The trouble I have is finding winter work, I would be very interested in hearing from anyone that has successfully found winter work and how they went about it, and would be happy to pass on any information to anyone thats thinking of getting into sailing, or even options to travel the world learning how to sail, a nice alternative to the backpacking Year out thingy people do...

Thinking of changing my career ,I take part in a tradtional sailling regatta every summer and enjoy it alot.Where would be a good place to start in your experience?,I had looked into a basic beginners cource in galway,Thanks for your time.

delop

I reckon that your best start would be to do some keel boat training down in west cork, a Place called glenans http://www.gisc.ie/ You can then progress to Offshore boats with them. I would then recommend doing a teaching course with them and get a job with them teaching for a season, believe it or not, but teaching is the best way to build up personal experience, West cork is a challenging but relatively safe area...

Then you will need to start building up some miles for your coastal skipper or Yacht master, there are a few schools in cork and else where that will do mile builders and prepare you for the exams....

The main thing to consider first is how much money and time do you have

Cheeble

Have you tried crewfinders?

Cheeble-eers

Sheeps Head

Or have look at:

http://www.westcorksailing.com

Tabnabs

Also try
http://www.sailingwest.ie/

Aye Bosun

Your a sailor boy, you go where the work is, head south during the winter and north for the summer. I've been doing this for the last 8 years and never have any probs finding work during the winter months. Have you thought about doing you OOW Yacht throught the MCA?