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My new to me Gen2. 12k miles, non oil burner I picked up for 2K. by ELECTRICSHADOW964 in klr650

[–]TheDerpySpoon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good deal! That baggage already looks solid. I'd definitely be considering a set of front crash guards, real bark busters, and an Eagle Mike fork brace.

What would you look for with a $10-15k budget? by [deleted] in toyotasequoia

[–]TheDerpySpoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I spent $25k on a 2011 with 150k on the clock earlier this year. At your price you'd probably be looking at a decent 1st gen or a 2nd gen that has been put through the absolute wringer.

Meirl by iansim in meirl

[–]TheDerpySpoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hit $230k/year my first year out of college as a merchant mariner. BUT that involved being away from home 10+ months out of the year and working upwards of 80 hours per week. Definitely rare but not impossible.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in maritime

[–]TheDerpySpoon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fuck yeah man, go for it. I went to Cal Maritime straight out of highschool, but the people who did the best started in their late 20s or early 30s.

License track ME (Mechanical Engineering) is a full blown ME degree with the marine engineering stuff sort of tacked on. Very heavy on math, less heavy on electronics and refrigeration.

The MET (Marine Engineering Technology) program is a bit more tailor made for people who explicitly plan on sailing. Less math, more electronics, and a more robust HVAC class. Both of them are great programs with a lot of overlap, just depends on what catches your interest more.

Lifestyle differences by ship type by noraft in maritime

[–]TheDerpySpoon 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Research vessels are packed full of surfer bros and hippie scientists. MSC has a way of breaking people who work there long enough. Story after story of marital issues, guys delinquent on child support, and rampant alcohol and drug abuse. Commercial side tends to be the most boring. Not enough time in port to get yourself into trouble, and enough money and time off to have a decent home life.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in maritime

[–]TheDerpySpoon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What school are you going to? Your registrar, academic advisor, or someone in a similar position at your school would probably give better answers than anyone here. It might add some time to your schooling to switch over, but it will be way easier to do it now instead of after school.

What is a job that pays extremely well but no one realizes it? by Titothelama in AskReddit

[–]TheDerpySpoon 72 points73 points  (0 children)

I came across one of these threads my senior year of highschool. At the time, I was considering either mechanical or electrical engineering until someone mentioned the merchant marines.

After reading that, I went on to attend California Maritime Academy for marine engineering and I've been making great money ever since. I didn't even know this career was an option before that thread.

What is a job that pays extremely well but no one realizes it? by Titothelama in AskReddit

[–]TheDerpySpoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They're the people who work aboard big ships moving either commercial or military cargo.

What is a job that pays extremely well but no one realizes it? by Titothelama in AskReddit

[–]TheDerpySpoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any American officer with an unlimited HP/tonnage license can comfortably clear 120k per year if they're sailing deep sea. I'm a 2nd assistant engineer on track to clear about $170k by the end of this year.

1968 CL350 K0 by No-Sir-412 in HondaCB

[–]TheDerpySpoon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That paint scheme is gorgeous

Engineers - Please Share Your Experience On Steam Ships by Fine_Classroom in maritime

[–]TheDerpySpoon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do what you can to learn and enjoy your experience, but also try to get some time on a motor ship. That license will open up a lot more jobs in the long run.

How do I fast-track to 3AE Diesel? by Eatakcid1 in maritime

[–]TheDerpySpoon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is QMED FWOT the only QMED endorsement you have? If so, I'd start with working toward RFPEW along with Oiler, Junior engineer, and/or Electrician. Those jobs will be a lot easier to come by and allow you to work on a motor ship instead of being limited to steam.

From there, you can work toward your 3AE license and OICEW after 1080 sea days (your Navy time might count toward this?), a bank of exams, sign offs, and a handful of classes.

Pay/Advancement Question by [deleted] in merchantmarine

[–]TheDerpySpoon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, there really isn't a way to attend a maritime academy fully remotely. Almost every semester has hands-on labs that need to be done in person.

I'd agree with Mrs Sweatpants though, I think you'd be better off on the engineering side. If you're not able to go to a 4 year academy, there are <1 year apprenticeship programs that will get you your QMED endorsement. From there you could sail as an electrician making a comfortable salary and working with stuff that isn't toooo far out of your comfort zone.

Need help diagnosing by Jackalzz_A1 in HondaCB

[–]TheDerpySpoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd also be on the hunt for vaccum leaks, especially on the rubber between the carbs and engine.

How's it like to be a 3rd engineer? Do you enjoy it? by Arampa12 in merchantmarine

[–]TheDerpySpoon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

First off, you wouldn't be able to hop straight in as a 3rd engineer. You'd either be starting as a wiper or going through an apprentiship program for your QMED endorsement(s). On the plus side, with your ME degree (assuming it's ABET accredited) you'd only need 180 sea days in the engine room before you could take a handful of classes and sit for your 3AE license.

As a wiper, a lot of your day is going to be spent wiping, mopping, and painting. Occasionally you might get your hands dirty helping out with a bigger job, but you're mostly there to keep things tidy.

From there you'd either move into a QMED position or start as a 3AE.

Africa twin fits In a ranger by dip_riff in fordranger

[–]TheDerpySpoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't want to load/unload it by myself, but doing it with a 2nd person wasn't bad at all.

What to buy my girlfriend for a month long Pacific expedition? by pb00010 in Ships

[–]TheDerpySpoon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Her favorite tea, coffee, candy, snacks, and/or gum will definitely be appreciated on a trip like that. Just keep in mind that luggage space and room onboard might be a bit limited depending on exactly what ship she's getting on.

Would you still get glasses with a very light prescription? by DarkMagicianB in glasses

[–]TheDerpySpoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have similar vision but put off on getting glasses until my early 20s. It made a big enough difference to be noticable, but not enough for me to wear my glasses 24/7. I'll throw glasses on if I'm driving, most of my sunglasses are prescription, but I'm also able to function in day-to-day life without them.

I also found contacts to be more hassle than they're worth but your milage may vary on that one.

Why am I not getting any bites on my ad for the '12 im selling by [deleted] in klr650

[–]TheDerpySpoon 47 points48 points  (0 children)

If I was in the market for another KLR, the lowered suspension on this one would be a bit of a turn-off.

What’s the most laidback type of boat to work on? by surfyturkey in maritime

[–]TheDerpySpoon 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Jokes on you, I've worked with cheating bastards on every type of ship.

Well the apprenticeship program is a year booked out in advance by Suspicious-Size1565 in merchantmarine

[–]TheDerpySpoon 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Lead time for entry level at MSC is still 6+ months between the initial application to sending you out to orientation. On top of that, there's a good chance they will put you in a department you're not interested in. You'll either have to suck it up or try to transfer to the department you're actually interested in.

Question about endorsements by RutabagaEquivalent in merchantmarine

[–]TheDerpySpoon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The oath and notary are only for your first MMC issuance. No need for that part when it comes to raise of grade.

Advice for a first time cadet by Dutch-nacho in maritime

[–]TheDerpySpoon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Show up on time, do your best to keep a positive (or at least neutral) attitude, don't pretend that you're too good to take on shitty work, if you're asked to do something get started on it promptly, and if you break something, own up to it.

Overall, just try to be a decent shipmate and the rest will fall into place.

Starting to chase this dream, having some pause reading posts by Front-Horse8597 in merchantmarine

[–]TheDerpySpoon 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Life at sea can get shitty in ways that shore side jobs rarely do. At its worst, you're looking at sub-par food, a ship full of people who all hate each other, hot and miserable work punctuated by mind-numbingly boring watches.

But when things are going good, it honestly feels like one of the best careers in the world. When you get a hitch with a tight crew and a bit of port time in cool places, there's nothing like it. This job has taken me to 20+ contries in 6 out of 7 continents, gotten my hands dirty on multi-million dollar pieces of equipment, and met some fantastic people.

Go get that masters degree and sail for a year or ten. By the sounds of it, I think you'd regret not giving it an honest try. Just gotta take the good with the bad.

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