8 stories about how to move to live on a yacht

Internet office work

The story of Cally Duncan (CAN/AUS), accountant, sails on the 38ft Ericson Tala

“As a former accountant, I specialize in cloud-based accounting software. Thanks to (or despite, who knows) COVID, I started my own business as a cloud accounting expert. Now that I live on my yacht, I have a few favorite clients. I also run a YouTube channel!

As I sail alone, any space on board can be distributed as you wish. Therefore, the table and sofa in the salon are my home office. I'm using what I already have (laptop, second monitor, keyboard and mouse) and adding a 12v laptop charger to it. It helps save battery power.

I need to plan my sailings around deadlines like biweekly paydays or tax season. Often you have to sacrifice sleep, social life and tourism.

The biggest problem is probably the noise. At a Zoom meeting on a windy day, the halyards will make noise against the mast. Even worse is when the anchor alarm goes off during the meeting.

My advice: start a side business. See if it suits you and if it will be sustainable. Build a baseline of clients so you feel confident giving up a secure full-time source of income, then go for it!”

Jobs in maritime services

Narrated by Johan Mulder (NED), daggerboard builder, Lagoon 410 S2 Adore

“My family and I started traveling in September 2021. The journey started later than expected due to COVID. Adore is our first yacht. We chose this lifestyle because my wife and I risked burnout on dry land.

In 2020, we opened a small company that manufactures daggerboards for sailing yachts. My wife and I ran companies before we started cruising, so those skills helped us a lot. The biggest hurdle for me was that I was working less than I was used to - after all, what's the point of cruising if I'm working all the time? However, on a yacht, I can concentrate much better, so I am more productive.

Depending on the weather, I work either in the saloon or at the cockpit table. However, I really miss a desk and a comfortable chair. On the yacht, I have an Ultimaker 3D printer and Wacom drawing boards. We use Microsoft Office 365 tools to communicate with employees. So far, we have been using local 3G/4G networks, but now we are waiting for Starlink to start working in order to have worldwide coverage.

Since we are starting a new type of equipment, I have to fly to the Netherlands every five weeks. My biggest problem is that I design and build things without seeing the details. That's why we have a 3D printer on board, we also use video calls and look at a lot of photos of the parts we make.”

Make your yacht your business

The story of Nim Hirschhorn (ISR/USA), owner/skipper of the charter yacht Lagoon 450S Luna

“I am a US Coast Guard certified captain and an experienced PADI divemaster. I have sailed extensively in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. My wife Fabiola grew up sailing. After several years of work that did not satisfy us, we had the idea to use our skills to create a business.

We do all inclusive yacht charter with crew. Our average charter lasts seven nights. We've always loved hosting, traveling and sailing, so we thought, "Why not do it full-time?" We have sold our first yacht, bought a new Lagoon 45 and equipped it with everything we need. Many of our past skills have helped us - such as project management, accounting, information technology, and marketing and sales.

The yacht is our business, so it must be kept in perfect condition. It is also very important to always have a good internet connection. Since we cruise around the islands most of the time, we mainly use cellular for data transmission, but we also have access to satellite when needed. We have a small office on board, including a Network Area Server that keeps our data in sync with the cloud all the time.

Our advice is to do what you like and you will succeed. The main thing is to cast the bait, and there will be a bite!”

“Translation on the go”

History Megan Bott (USA), interpreter and translator, sails on the 62-foot gaff schooner Inanna

“We have a 62-foot gaff-rigged schooner that we are repairing while we live on the 38-foot sloop Morgan. We are currently traveling along Lake Pontchartrain and the Persian Gulf coast. I am a freelance translator and interpreter fluent in Spanish, Russian and French (this is in addition to English, my native language).

I can translate and edit from anywhere. When it comes to interpreting, I sit at the table in the main cabin. Depending on the video call and the client's needs, I can hang a sheet behind me to hide any distracting background.

The biggest problem is communication. I need a reliable connection to support interpreting. Any break in communication can lead to serious problems with incorrect translation. I have to coordinate my interpretation assignments with the time the rest of the crew are away from the ship. By law, I cannot allow anyone to listen while I am translating confidential and personal information.

Clients are located in different time zones - from Europe, Senegal to the United States, so the opening hours are different. Language work is flexible, making it ideal for the cruising lifestyle.”

Copywriting and content management

James Howard (GBR), freelance writer, sails the 27ft Trapper 500 Alcyone

“I have been sailing for a little over two years. I started late, I had no experience when I started to lead this lifestyle. I have been cruising the Solent and the south coast of England, living on river pontoons, anchorages and wharfs, gradually gaining confidence in my abilities.

I work on board as a freelance content writer, email marketer and copywriter. This gives me enough income to support my lifestyle while still cruising on a budget. I find most of my clients through online freelance marketplaces and through my website.

I immediately found that working for myself was much more exciting than working for a company. This has resulted in a higher level of performance for my clients. I love the freedom and flexibility this lifestyle gives me and the fact that I can take my work with me wherever I go. My work does not require a lot of equipment: a laptop, a phone, an Internet connection and everything you need - which is great, given the size of the yacht!

The main problem is electricity, especially during the winter months. Solar power is fantastic, but I only have 320 watts of solar power to power my 240 Ah home bank. This is not always enough to keep the batteries charged, especially if there is no sun for several days in a row. Then you have to go to the city and connect wherever there is an outlet.”

Stock trading

The story of Patrick Schulte (USA), stock trader and mentor, sails the 42ft Grand Banks, 35ft Wildcat catamaran and 43ft Spindrift Bumfuzzle

“I have circled the Panama and Suez Canals on a 35ft catamaran, cruised Mexico on a 43ft monohull and am currently cruising the Caribbean on a 42ft trawler. I have also been a trader (commodities and stocks) for over 20 years, first on real exchanges and then, during the cruise, online. I traded this way for about 10 years. Then I wrote a book, Living on Margin, about travel and trading.

People who read the book wanted to know more. So I organized a group of mentors to teach others. As a result, it grew into a Wanderer Financial project, where I not only teach trading and investing, but also talk about travel and remote work. Our daily chat has become a great place for adventurous solo travelers interested in a more “remote” lifestyle.

My business has allowed me to connect with like-minded people around the world, which makes keyboard trading much more interesting in everyday life. The only thing I need to work is a laptop and an Internet connection, which is usually provided by a local cellular connection through a hotspot.”

Fitness and vlogging

Narrated by Laura College (GBR), online fitness and wellness, sailing yacht Bavaria 42 Holly Blue

“At the beginning of 2019 we sold the yacht and sailed from the UK to the Mead with our two little boys. Since then we have been sailing and documenting our sailing adventures.

We do two business with Holly Blue. One of them is YouTube travel and sailing content. The other is our fitness, nutrition and wellness website BoatFit. On the site, sailors and "shore dwellers" can find educational materials about health and fitness.

In such a lifestyle, a problem-solving mindset is very important. We must be self-motivated and work together to create new ideas for fitness and educational content. Filming our sailing sequences requires us to pick up the camera for every special, exciting or unique moment. My partner Ross spends about 30+ hours a week editing each episode, while I'm in charge of social media management and marketing.

For those who do business on board, it is necessary to be constantly open to the possibility of change and to be happy to “let go” when things are not going as fast or as organized as we would like. Work hard in those moments when life/nature allows, and remember to enjoy what you are here for – enjoy every sunrise and sunset and make sure some moments remain sacred.”

Teach what you love

History of Timothy Geisler (USA) Sailing School CEO, Lagoon 400 S2 Never Say Never

“I learned to sail 21 years ago, have done many charters around the world, and opened a sailing school 12 years ago. Since then, I spend almost half of every year sailing in Mexico, the Caribbean, Tahiti or the Mediterranean, teaching sailing courses on large cruising boats (40-55 feet). Two years ago my wife, kids and I took a six month vacation and cruised the Caribbean on our 40ft catamaran.

When I lost my corporate job and got the chance to reinvent myself, I realized that I wanted to have a job that included sailing and traveling. We created our company to introduce others to this amazing sport.

I wonder how your life experiences can set you up for success later in life. For eight years after university, I worked as an elementary school teacher in Los Angeles, helping to develop educational programs and train new teachers. This experience, combined with five years of work in a non-profit organization, helped prepare me to run a sailing school.

I can work anywhere in the world as long as I have an internet connection. Iridium Go's messaging capability has been a lifesaver for staying connected at sea. However, we have a physical office in Colorado that handles day to day operations.

The most important thing to remember is that life is too short not to pursue your hobbies now! If you can find a way to live on a yacht, whether you work in the sailing industry or have a remote job that pays the bills, then you should give it a try.”

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27.08.2022