Looking for work in marine communications and RE.

[la7qz]

Hi

My girlfriend (from Michigan) and I are looking to relocate to somewhere warm in the US that has a marine industry. Donna is an electronics engineer with a background in the automotive industry with (by the time we move) an MBA in engineering management. I've been a liveaboard and long distance cruiser for 16 years and make my living fixing stuff on boats, preferably electric and electronic stuff. I presently work for Electec in St Maarten. My preference (and special skills) are in radio communications (ham and marine SSB) and renewable energy (solar panels and wind turbines).

We are looking for suggestions of places in the US, preferably Atlantic or Mexican gulf side that would provide jobs for both of us, a warm climate, reasonable living costs and a secure and reasonably priced berth for our 36 foot Cheoy Lee ketch. A nice friendly yacht club to join with a cruising- rather than racing crowd would be the icing on the cake.

Any ideas?

PS. Posting this on the communications forum because people here know me.  

Regards,

Owen Morgan

[clflyguy]

Owen, you guys sound like a good fit for the space coast area of Fla. Lots of small

high-tech manufacturing and LOTS of boats.  -Gus

[artworks]

Take a look at Tampa Bay.

I think it has everything your looking for.

Art

[FishbonzWV]

Owen, I don't know how long it's been since you've been in the states, but if you have lived in the islands for 16 years you are going to have a bad case of culture shock when you get here.

I've sailed with a friend several times and have been to Puerto Rico, D.R., seen a lot of the Bahamas, and from the Tortugas to Charleston S.C. on the east coast.

Slips in Fla are expensive no matter where you go and if you get one on the Atlantic side it will be on the ICW. There is little maintenance going on with it since 9-11 as the funds got shifted to homeland security. If you have 8' draft, be careful.

Anything below Daytona Beach =$$$$$.

Daytona to Jacksonville =$$$.

Charleston,S.C. is nice but gets cool in winter. Most liveaboards head for the Keys in late Nov. after hurricane season winds down. But you won't like the 'brown' water.

I don't care much for the Gulf side but never sailed there (was supposed to do a trip from Lake Ponchetrain to Key West but couldn't make it).

I agree that the Daytona/ Cape Canavaral area would be the most likely for the MBA job. You can get work at any Marina. :-)

Are you planning a crossing soon? Won't be long till the cat starts swishing her tail.

Sorry I couldn't be more specific.

Fishbonz

[elvin1949]

Owen

 St Augustine might have what you are looking for.

I know it has a marina you would like.My brother-in-law kept his 30 ft Catalina there till he died.

 It is the  Fish Island Marina, nice folks.Not far from Daytona sp? and Northrup Grumman is close.

 Hope this is a little help.

later

Elvin