eventual move to st john

Moved to st croix a few months ago from north augusta with my 3 kids and love it. Have you thought about where your kids will go to school?
Good luck!

Lots of boats for sale and almost any business is for sale if you want to pay the price - it will likely be a more successful operation if you know something about the logistics - and for sure you must have a USCG MMD to carry passengers.

You will find more responses and a wider forum at the 'relocation forum' [click on forum list above left]

you'd likely be wise to work for one of the more successful excursion boating companies for a season before trying to buy/run your own. Learn the ropes island style and you can save a lot of mistakes and lost $$ and figure out if you truly want to make that your long-term career. Working within the industry would give you the chance to see if you can spot a niche market that's not being serviced and focus your future business venture in that direction.

To work as crew on a commercially operated vessel, your 19 year old has a chance, but the others aren't yet old enough to qualify for the necessary ratings to be allowed to work on board. Sure, they can go boating with you on private excursions, but not as "crew" when you are on a passenger charter.

Anyone working as crew needs merchant mariners documentation, including current STCW 95 certification. The captain also needs a license, either an OUPV 6-pak license or a Master's license if you want to carry more than 6 passengers at a time. If you don't already have the captain's credentials, working for someone else for a year or two gives you a chance to build up sea time to qualify to take the Captain's course and exam. There are a couple of sea schools on STT, so that part is easy once you have the sea time.

As a newcomer with 3 kids, you aren't likely to find a house sitting gig. Leases are easier to find, but we rarely see an option to purchase situation here. Many properties for sale are also available for lease until they sell, but the sellers don't typically allow any part of the rent to accrue towards a down payment.

I'm both a Realtor on STX and a 100 Ton Master Captain, so my responses are based on direct knowledge of the real estate and boating industries. I do wish you and your family the best of luck with your plans to make a move to the islands.

thank you Alexandra for your help. We are coming to STJ in August and checking out the snorkeling and what will work.
Yes I do have to put in time on the water and USCG approval, etc. and I am looking for a 29 foot Everglades center (pilot) console
for touring and perhaps fishing day excursions. Thank you so much for your time and valued input and take care.
All the best,
Brad