Mostly lurking but here goes...

Many of your current questions will be answered and obvious to you after a visit here - Boatyard space is available but limited - I would suggest you pack as much of the materials needed for finishing the boat as you can fit - it will be more expensive to buy here where there is no boatbuilding industry.

It may be harder to start a business practicing his trade here than finding a job doing that kind of work.

Tsunamis are less likely to cause the kind of damage here as they would in the flat islands you mentioned.
$2000 is plenty of money for housing, finding any kind of flat yard where you could tow a boat in and out of will take some effort but can be done but your visit here will certainly clear up any concerns.

You might wish to check rates with Independent Boat Yard on the east end in Benner Bay. They're probably your best bet. They also have yacht and marine related services at the marina.

Hubby can probably find work, especially if he's good at what he does.

How big is boat?

Is your $2000 budget only for housing and boat?
Does it include costs of utilities, transportation, groceries and other supplies? If so, you might have to up the budget. Just remember, it's expensive to live here.

Check Craig's List Virgin Islands to see what rental costs run.
Also Island Trader:

http://virginislandsdailynews.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/iphone/homepage.aspx?#_title825920150827000000000010011/watitle825920150827000000000010011/8259//1/true

Finding a rental with a flat yard whose landlord will allow you to bring and build a boat on his property may not prove to be an easy endeavor.

Good luck.

Thanks both! $2000 housing only. Boat is 26'. Once it's built, we will put it in the water. We know dockage or mooring, insurance (if available?) will be expensive. Any resources for that? We're planning on buying a trailer to get it to where it needs to go initially. Ship it on trailer and possibly fill it with materials. This is our third boat, but first build from plans (other than dinghies). Yes, we were wondering about diy boatyard. Hubby has worked at two major yacht builders, specializing in interiors. Wonder if odd jobs around a yard. We will check that out.

The business hubby has now is a one man thing, pretty low key, and built mostly on awesome reputation for really great work. Really just a website and other cheap advertising. doing this part time and that has worked out well. Most work is kitchen, bath, trim,but also painting, floors, decks,etc.

You can also check with the St. Thomas Yacht Club to see if they have any positions available. East End/Red Hook location has many marinas.: Compass Point, American Yacht Harbor, Sapphire, and many other smaller ones along the Benner Bay lagoon.

Definitely make the rounds at the various boatyards. I know there is a resident woodworking master at Independent Boat Yard. There used to be one at Compass Point/Latitude 18, but don't know what happened when he left. Haulover Marine. Water Island has a community of boaters. Check with Jimmy Loveland about the marine education program he runs- to get local kids involved in marine careers. There used to be a boat building yard in West End, Tortola. Not sure what has happened to it. Also, there is a community in Coral Bay, St John of boat builders/fixers, etc. And then there is Gold Coast Yachts on St Croix...

The music part- lots of venues for a guitarist.

Good luck!

There are many Open Mic nights at various bars and restaurants such as Latitude 18, Tickles, etc. Plenty of opportunity to meet other musicians.

Hers the link for Independent Boat Yard.
http://ibyvi.com/

I was certainly in remiss in not remembering Gold Coast in STX as a fine boat building company -- well worth checking into for a job in that industry.

http://www.goldcoastyachts.com/

Isabeau,

Are you sure you want to be in STT? STX could sure use your husband's skills! Gold Coast Yachts is an awesome company/group, turning out amazing products and STX Marine does refit work and are always looking for skilled labor such as your husbands! Just thought I needed to throw that out there...

Thanks pilatesgal. You are right, I think he would do well there. My potential job offer is in STT, and it does not look like STX is commutable, is it? He might be able to go over a few days at a time. He does out of town work now sometimes. Recently did workfor Saudi Arabia, although he didn't have to do the installation on that one (thank goodness). He is really really talented (I can't help but brag), and has done work on private helicopter for Queen Elizabeth and sultan of Brunai. Although he also built our neighbor a chicken coop. Lol! He has no ego around all that. He has done some pretty fancy hotel work also. You never know!

Take it from me, who "commuted" to and from STT/STX for about a year, every week...it SUCKS! And, it is exceptionally expensive...I made it work, as I had clients in both locations but it was exhausting! Best of luck with your potential move to STT.

You can commute STX to STT if you have your own seaplane.:D
Oh wait, we're supposed to have a new ferry soon. Being built in the Salt River marina. Maybe they need someone to help finish it:-)

$2000.00 for just rent, no problem, if St. Thomas, some of my in laws have 2-3 bedroom apartments for rent for less. Having a boat built, wow, that is great. My question is, where and how will you get it to the Islands? If you like South Florida, you'll love the VI. It's just odd because most transplants come from colder climates. You should have a blast, but don't expect to find a place that will have boat space unless you look at in the sticks.

mike

They said it is a 26' boat on a trailer -- pretty easy to find space for that without going 'in the sticks'

I don't know if Hull Bay Hideaway which has boats stored in parking lot besides the bar/restaurant would allow boat building other than basic min. repairs but it might be worth checking out.

I am so grateful for all of theses suggestions! Husband just corrected me that the boat is 28'. As far as getting it there, it's trailerable for transport and I guess we would try to ship it like a car. Speaking of cars, I read that you cannot transport a car if it's currently financed. Is that true? One of ours is paid for, and one is still financed. Ideas for how to deal with that? Also, is a scooter a good option on St Thomas, or too hilly, muddy, dangerous, or whatever?

If you get a release from your finance company to ship car,
you can do so. Make sure you have multiple originals of release doc. as it seems many of the agencies you must go to to clear and register vehicle won't take a copy. Also there is a customs tax on foreign made cars, road tax to pay prior to registration fees.

Very mountainous terrain with steep hills, sharp corners, no sidewalks, big potholes for a scooter.
Don't recommend driving one here.
If you live and work on East End and just use it in that location which is flatter to get back and forth to boatyard,, it might be okay but living Northside and using to commute isn't recommended. Watch out for our crazy drivers, ditches on roadsides, etc.

Thank you Alana. I watched a utube video of driving on St Thomas and it didn't. Look like a scooter would be a good idea.

Watch a youtube video of india. Plenty of scooters!

.???
Oh sorry. I guess I finally hit the "stupid question". Lol. Ok, back to lurking

Please don't run away from just one snippy answer if you are seriously considering moving - a lot of your questions will have obvious answers once you make your visit ahead of time as planned.

Probably should find out about costs and whether or not your boat can be shipped here and when it arrives whether or not it's subject to custom duty fees, then if a permit is needed from Motor Vehicle Dept. to trailer it from shipper's yard to its final destination.

Is the boat something you can haul yourself with vehicle you're bringing?

Once you do your PMV, you can figure out what that final destination will be. With your budget, finding a rental shouldn't be difficult.

People at Independent Boat Yard should be a good source of information. Jeff Hart, who owns the wood working shop there is a great guy and you may wish to introduce yourself to him.

I don't think I would chance driving a scooter on St. Thomas, but that is me. Once you arrive and ride around awhile, I think you will realize that there is no rhyme or reason with a lot of VI drivers. Traffic signs and signals seem more of a suggestion than a fact and with those blind curves and driveway entrances that seem to appear out of no where, driving any vehicle can be a real experience.

mike