40+ Ways to Make Money While Living on a Sailboat

Yes, you can make money while living on a sailboat, and you don’t have to choose between the cruising life and an income. I’ve funded my own life aboard since 2019 through a blog and monetized Facebook pages, and the cruisers around us earn through remote computer work, hands-on marine trades, and seasonal jobs in sailing destinations. This guide covers 45+ real ways to make money from a sailboat, from laptop work you can do at anchor to gigs that don’t need a computer at all.

Figuring out just how to make money while living on a sailboat is difficult for anyone wanting to start living the boat life. In fact, it’s one of the top questions I get on my site! (Land-based nomads: I keep a sister list of ways to make money on the road, and if you’re curious how my own income works, I break it down in how I afford full-time van life and boat life.)

Luckily, there are many ways to make money from a sailboat, whether you dig computer work or want something a little more hands-on. In this post, we’ll go over all the ways you can make money on the water.

29 Ways to Make Money from a Computer

If you carry a computer around and feel comfortable working online, the world is your oyster when it comes to remote work.

Build a Facebook Page

My biggest income stream today is Facebook. My pages reach millions of people every month, and Facebook pays me through its monetization programs. All I have to do is post consistently.

I also use my Facebook pages to drive traffic to this website, The Wayward Home, which earns additional income through display ads and affiliate marketing.

Like blogging, growing a Facebook page takes time and consistency, but once you build an audience, it can become a significant source of income while cruising — it’s how I fund my life on the water. Interested in getting started? You can download my FREE Facebook Traffic Playbook to get started creating and monetizing Facebook pages.

AI Content Specialist

Many businesses now use AI, but they still need people to create prompts, edit AI-generated content, fact-check articles, repurpose videos into social media posts, and train AI tools for their business. If you’re comfortable using ChatGPT and other AI tools, this is a rapidly growing freelance service.

Offer AI Consulting Services

Businesses everywhere are trying to figure out how to use AI, but many don’t know where to start. If you’re comfortable using tools like ChatGPT, Claude or other AI platforms, you can help businesses save time by creating custom AI workflows, writing effective prompts, or training their teams.

You don’t need to be a programmer to get started. Many small businesses simply want someone to show them how to use AI for tasks like writing emails, creating social media content, brainstorming ideas, or improving customer service. As more businesses adopt AI, this is becoming a valuable service you can offer from anywhere with a laptop and an internet connection.

Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is still a great way to make money online, but the industry has changed a lot with the rise of AI. Generic content is much harder to sell than it used to be, while writers who can interview experts, tell original stories, and create high-quality content are still in demand.

Aside from writing blog posts, you can pitch to magazines, newspapers and online media outlets. You can also ghostwrite, write technical articles or white papers, create case studies, or write copy for websites, email newsletters and sales pages.

Start a Profitable Blog

I’ve been making over six figures every year blogging since 2019. My blog focuses on travel and alternative living, including cruising, RVing, tiny homes and off-grid lifestyles.

Blogging is not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s still a legitimate way to make money from anywhere. These days, the most successful blogs offer original experiences and genuinely helpful content that AI can’t easily replicate. You’ll need to learn how to choose a niche, do keyword research and create content people actually want to read.

Once your blog is established, it can become a fantastic source of mostly passive income through display ads, affiliate marketing and your own products. I earn money whether I’m working or out sailing, which is exactly why it’s such a good fit for the cruising lifestyle. If you’re curious about blogging, you can download my FREE 9 Ways to Make Money Blogging here.

Build a Personal Brand

One of the best ways to make money online is by building an audience around something you’re passionate about. Whether it’s sailing, travel, DIY, cooking or another hobby, you can share your knowledge through platforms like Facebook, YouTube and an email newsletter.

As your audience grows, you can earn money in lots of different ways, including creator monetization, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, digital products and your own services.

Bookkeeping

If you’re into crunching numbers, you may want to think about starting your own bookkeeping business. There is still strong demand for skilled bookkeepers, especially among small businesses. Thanks to cloud accounting software, you can work virtually from your computer on your sailboat.

This business is for a very specific type of person — to find out if you fit the criteria, watch this free video webinar presented by the founder of Bookkeeper Launch, Ben Robinson.

Social Media Management

The number of creators and businesses building an online presence continues to grow, and many need help managing it all. As a social media manager, you could create content, schedule posts, reply to comments, track analytics, and help grow accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Whether you work with content creators, small businesses or larger companies, this is a flexible business you can run from anywhere with a laptop and a reliable internet connection.

Graphic Design

Becoming a graphic designer is a great way to make money while cruising. While AI can now generate simple graphics, businesses still need talented designers who understand branding, layout and visual storytelling.

I regularly hire designers to create social media graphics, YouTube thumbnails, charts, blog images, templates and PDFs for The Wayward Home. If you have an eye for design and know your way around tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite, this could be a fantastic business you can run from anywhere with an internet connection.

Proofreader

Are you really good with grammar with an eye for detail? Being a proofreader might be right up your alley. There are plenty of writers out there who need someone to go over their work with a fine-toothed comb.

If you’re not sure about proofreading, proofreader Caitlin Pyle offers a free webinar for people interested in the field.

Transcriptionist

If you don’t mind listening and typing away on your computer, transcription might be just the gig for you. You could transcribe from your boat to make extra money — parts of the work don’t even need an internet connection!

Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant helps business owners and content creators with the day-to-day tasks that keep everything running smoothly. I have virtual assistants who help with my website and take care of many of the jobs that free me up to focus on growing the business.

Today’s virtual assistants often use AI to work more efficiently and offer a wider range of services. Depending on your skills, you could help with: AI workflows and prompt creation, email marketing, podcast uploads and publishing, project management, content repurposing, and making short-form videos.

Podcast Producer

Podcasting continues to grow, and many creators and businesses are looking for help producing professional shows. As a podcast producer, you could edit audio and video, upload episodes to podcast hosts and YouTube, write show notes, create social media content, and repurpose episodes into short-form videos.

AI tools can speed up tasks like transcription and drafting show notes, but creators still need someone to oversee the process, polish the content and make sure everything gets published correctly.

I’ve seen podcast producers who charge around $1,500 PER PODCAST for four episodes per month. As you can see, the money can rack up if you start this sort of business.

Video Editor

If you love editing video, there are plenty of companies, creators and YouTubers who need help turning raw footage into polished content. Video editors now work on everything from long-form YouTube videos and podcasts to Reels, Shorts and TikToks.

AI tools can speed up captions, transcription and rough cuts, but businesses still need skilled editors who understand pacing, storytelling and what keeps viewers watching. You’ll need video editing skills, a computer and the right software, but this can be a great way to make money from your sailboat.

Paid Ads Specialist

Businesses are always looking for people who can help them reach more customers through online advertising. As a paid ads specialist, you could manage campaigns on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google or TikTok, helping businesses generate leads and sales.

If you enjoy analytics, copywriting and testing what works, this can be a rewarding business to run from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Once you’ve gained some experience, you can work with multiple clients at the same time, making it a great fit for the cruising lifestyle.

Online Coaching or Consulting

Online coaching is still a fantastic way to make money from anywhere if you have expertise that can genuinely help other people. Whether you’re a climbing coach, business mentor, nutrition coach or sailing instructor, people are willing to pay for personalized guidance they can’t get from Google or AI.

I know all types of coaches, from life coaching and business mentorship to parenting, sleep coaching, real estate and cryptocurrency. If you enjoy helping people achieve their goals, coaching can become a rewarding and flexible business that’s perfect for the cruising lifestyle.

Course Creation

If you’ve built expertise in a particular area, an online course can be a great way to turn that knowledge into a scalable business. AI can help you create course materials faster, but people still pay for a well-structured course built around real-world experience and proven results.

The most successful creators usually build an audience first through Facebook, YouTube, an email newsletter or a blog before launching a course. Once your course is created, it can become another income stream that supports your cruising lifestyle.

Online Business Manager

An online business manager (OBM) helps an online business with strategy, marketing, operations and systems: business strategy, operations management, team management, financial management, systems and AI workflow management, marketing and communications, business analysis and reporting, and project management.

Write Romance Novels

You might think I’m kidding, but the romance market is HUGE in the United States. Readers are hungry for the genre.

AI can help with brainstorming and editing, but readers are still looking for original stories, memorable characters and authentic voices. Heck, you could even write a romance set in the cruising world — I’d certainly read it!

Create Printables and Sell Them on Etsy

If you’re creative and enjoy making digital products, selling printables on Etsy could be a great way to make money while cruising. Once you’ve created a printable, you can sell it again and again without making it from scratch each time. People buy everything from planners and budget trackers to wall art, checklists and travel journals. Here’s how to get started with printables: https://www.thewaywardhome.com/etsy-free-printables-workshop/

Website Designer

A web designer creates websites for businesses, bloggers and sole proprietors — deciding on the layout, colors, fonts, images and overall look of each page, while making sure the site is easy to use on desktop and mobile.

AI and no-code platforms like WordPress, Webflow, Squarespace and Shopify have made it easier to build a basic website, but businesses still pay good money for custom design, branding and strategy. In fact, I hired someone to design The Wayward Home, and it cost around $4,000. Some experienced web designers charge $15,000–$20,000!

Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is a broad field with plenty of opportunities to specialize. You could offer services such as search engine optimization (SEO), paid advertising (PPC), email marketing, content marketing or conversion optimization to help businesses attract more customers and grow their sales.

AI has changed the way marketers work, but it hasn’t replaced the need for strategy. Businesses still need people who can plan campaigns, interpret data, understand their audience and decide what will actually get results. If you enjoy a mix of creativity and analytics, digital marketing can be an excellent business to run from your sailboat.

Become an Amazon Influencer

Yes, people actually GET PAID to review Amazon products — you make videos reviewing products you own. The program is much more competitive than it used to be, so you’ll have the best chance of success if you produce honest, high-quality reviews and build an audience that trusts your recommendations. If you already create content online, it can be a nice additional income stream while cruising. Here’s how to get started: https://www.thewaywardhome.com/free-amazon-influencer-ebook-the-selling-family/

Become a Tax Preparer

Everyone needs their taxes done, right? As a tax preparer, you can work from anywhere as long as you have a computer and an internet connection. You can learn to prepare both individual and business tax returns, and business will be booming every spring.

Sell Your Services on Gig Platforms

If you’re a jack of all trades — short-form video, graphic design, freelance writing, video editing, Facebook ads — you might want to get on a gig economy platform like Fiverr or Upwork.

Competition has increased in recent years, so it’s important to specialize, build a strong portfolio and collect great reviews. Once you’ve established yourself, these platforms can provide a steady stream of work while you’re cruising.

Data Entry

Data entry is a popular way for cruisers to make money as it allows flexibility in working hours and location. You’d be responsible for accurately inputting and managing data into digital systems, spreadsheets, or databases — data validation, cleansing, analysis, or migration. It’s detail-oriented work that suits cruisers who can work independently with a reliable internet connection.

Find a Remote Job

Many companies offer remote positions throughout the U.S. You can browse job boards for part-time and full-time work in your area of expertise. If you want to go deeper, you can join Camille Attell’s FREE Remote Work Masterclass.

Take Your Current Job Remote

A lot of people forget that you might just be able to ask your employer to work remotely. Your boss might be more amenable than you think! I’ve met multiple cruisers who started by taking their current jobs remote while they figured out how to create their own income streams.

Hands-On and Gig Work for Sailors

Deliver Boats

Once you’ve built enough sailing experience, you may be able to find paid work helping deliver boats between marinas or even across longer passages. Delivery work isn’t something to jump into as a beginner, but experienced sailors are often in demand, and it can be a great way to earn money while spending more time on the water.

Work as Charter Crew

Charter companies and private owners in cruising hotspots regularly hire crew — first mates, deckhands, cooks, and hosts — especially in high season. It’s demanding hospitality work, but you’re paid to sail beautiful waters, you’ll build sea miles fast, and the tips in busy charter regions can be substantial.

Become a Sailing Instructor

If you’re an experienced sailor, certification through organizations like ASA or US Sailing lets you teach at sailing schools and clubs almost anywhere there’s water. Schools in cruising destinations often need seasonal instructors, and private lessons pay well — you already have the classroom tied up at the dock.

Write or Shoot for Sailing Media

Sailing magazines and websites pay for first-person cruising stories, how-to pieces, and good photography of real boat life. If you’re living it, you have material staff writers can’t fake — pitch the story only you can tell.

Clean and Detail Boats

Boat owners are always looking for help washing hulls, polishing stainless steel, waxing topsides, cleaning interiors, or getting boats ready for the season. It’s hard work, but it requires very little equipment and can pay well, especially in busy marinas where there’s no shortage of boats needing attention.

Offer Boat Bottom Cleaning

Many sailors prefer not to dive under their own boats to scrub the hull or replace zincs. If you’re a confident diver, offering hull cleaning services can be a great way to make money in busy cruising destinations. All you need is the right equipment, the necessary skills, and a bit of word-of-mouth in the local cruising community.

Become a Sailmaker or Canvas Repairer

If you know how to sew, sail and canvas repair can be a valuable niche. Cruisers regularly need sail repairs, dodgers, biminis, sail covers and cushions fixed or altered, and there often aren’t enough people offering these services in popular cruising areas.

Get a Workamping or Marina Job

Campgrounds and resorts hire for everything from managing a gift shop to answering phones — and the marine world has its own version: marinas and yacht clubs hire dockhands, office staff, and seasonal help, sometimes with a slip included.

Scour Craigslist

One time in college, I looked for odd jobs on Craigslist — over a few days, I helped a woman sort through boxes and organize her house! If you’re docked near a city, check that city’s Craigslist gigs section: helping someone move, packing boxes, organizing paperwork, even participating in a random video shoot.

Rent Out Your Sailboat

I know it’s hard to part with your beloved boat, but there are ways to rent it out for a few days and make extra money on Click&Boat or Boatsetter. Amazingly, some people have turned this into a full-time business! You can do it while staying with family, for example, if you just want a short-term gig.

Offer Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

Many cruisers travel with pets and occasionally need someone to look after them while they take a day trip inland, tackle a long passage, or deal with boat maintenance. You could offer pet sitting to fellow cruisers — or, if you’re docked near a city, use a service like Rover, where your profile is shown to pet owners in the area.

Find Seasonal Work

Back in college, I worked at Gap over winter break — one easy month of stocking shelves and folding clothes. Tons of stores hire seasonal retail workers over the holidays, and if you’d rather be outside, ski resorts hire seasonally too. For sailors, the equivalent rhythm works beautifully: hurricane-season haul-out is a natural window for a land job.

Manage Airbnb Properties

A lot of busy homeowners don’t want to deal with managing their Airbnb properties. That’s exactly what Elin Rose does — a sailing woman who does a variety of odd jobs to fund her travels. She coordinates the handymen, house cleaners, and renters to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Sell Plasma

Not one for the squeamish, but you can make extra money selling plasma — roughly $20–$50 per donation, and I’ve seen people in nomad groups report $200–$300 per month. The blood is drawn, the plasma separated, and the blood returned — time-consuming and not fun, which is exactly why you get paid.

Offer Tutoring Services

If you’re staying near a city for a while, offer tutoring — especially if you’re good at math, science, a foreign language, or writing. While AI can answer questions, many students still benefit from personalized teaching, exam prep and one-on-one support. Advertise locally, contact nearby schools, or tutor online. I know at least two people who make $100 per hour tutoring.

Work as a Bartender

If you’re spending a few months in one cruising destination, bartending can be a great way to earn. Many popular sailing towns have busy bars and restaurants looking for seasonal staff, especially during peak season. It’s also a fun way to meet locals and fellow cruisers before setting sail again.

Become a Mobile Marine Mechanic

If you’re living on a sailboat, you’ll constantly meet cruisers who need help with repairs — engine servicing, electrical troubleshooting, or more advanced fixes. With the right skills, this is a great business to run while cruising. Set up a simple website or just network in marinas and cruising Facebook groups.

Offer Your Trade to Fellow Travelers

Are you an electrician, a woodworker, or a metalworker? Think of ways to use those skills while you cruise. Word travels fast in an anchorage — good hands never go hungry.

Work at a Restaurant

If you’re planning to spend a few weeks or months in one destination, you may be able to pick up work at a local restaurant or café — hosting, washing dishes, bussing tables or serving. It all depends on how long you’re staying, but it’s a reliable way to bring in extra cash before casting off again.

FAQ’s about Finding Jobs to do From Your Sailboat