liveaboard sailboat?

Hi,
Yep, just like it sounds. My husband and I lived full-time on our 37 foot sailboat for almost 10 years. A lot of people do that here, and that is WHY they are here. The sailing is great, and it's a good home-base for sailing to other islands. While we are part of the US, there aren't as many rules and regulations, at least not enforced, and if there's anything a "yachtie" hates, it's rules! I use yachtie as apposed to yachtsman. That's how some people refer to liveaboard sailor/cruisers. Believe me, yachties and yachtsmen are completely different. We're a lot more fun.

very cool. i did read something about that when i first looked into the islands. but from what i read it sounded like it was almost as expensive as living on land, not to mention you had to own a boat.

while we're on the subject.... how is the boating industry there. specifically STX. do they do much in fishing and/or sailing tours? something i could consider as a possible occupation?

You do have to have a boat, obviously, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Having said that, everything on a boat is expensive! A lot depends on you and the boat. You don't pay rent or utilities....but you do have to live, so you have to generate your electricity and take on water as needed, and that costs money. Plus, you really need to start out with someone who knows what they're doing. If you have an interest in learning more about the liveaboard life, there are books. It's been years since I read them, but the first one that comes to mind is "Home is Where the Boat Is" by Emy Thomas. I THINK she still lives on STX. In that book she and her partner took the frugal lifestyle to the extreme, I thought. Today, yachties are checking the stock market everyday, and buying all the latest nautical toys.

There are jobs to be had crewing on day boats or fishing charters, more on St. Thomas than St. Croix. You can do a little "googling" and get some contact info for charter companies, etc. and see what their qualification requirements are these days.

Where are you ?

i am in southaven, ms. about 2 min south of memphis. i've been planning on moving to STX in september of this year, but think it may be more like may. why do u ask?