Top 5 Myths About Remote Work from a Boat
When we started cruising full-time, the questions rolled in.
“How do you get internet?”
“What do you do for work?”
“Is it even possible to hold a job from a boat?”
The short answer? Yes—remote work afloat is absolutely possible. But there are a lot of misconceptions floating around out there (pun totally intended). Whether you’re dreaming of taking your career on the water or wondering how other people make it work, here are a few myths worth busting.
Myth #1: You need perfect Wi-Fi to work from a boat.
Let’s get this one out of the way: if you’re expecting fiber-fast, always-on internet in every anchorage, you’ll be disappointed.
But do you need perfect internet? Nope.
You need reliable-enough internet, and a plan for when it goes sideways. Most cruising workers use a combination of Starlink, cellular data, and Wi-Fi boosters, plus tools for offline work and automated backups. You learn to plan video calls around your anchorage, and yes, sometimes you move for better service. It’s just another layer of logistics.
Myth #2: You have to be in tech.
The remote work world is a lot broader than people realize. Sure, there are plenty of software engineers, web developers, and UX designers cruising full-time—but they’re far from the only ones.
You’ll also find boaters working as:
Virtual assistants
Online teachers and tutors
Writers and editors
Marketing strategists
Customer support reps
Bookkeepers
Consultants
Coaches and course creators
If you can do it with a laptop and an internet connection, someone out there is doing it from a boat.
Myth #3: You need to work full-time.
Not true.
Some people cruise while running full-time businesses. Others freelance a few hours a week to cover expenses. Some work in seasons, hustling during hurricane season and taking breaks in the Bahamas.
Boat life has a way of pushing you toward flexibility. That can be scary if you’re used to a traditional job, but it also opens the door to creative income streams that fit the lifestyle you want.
Myth #4: It’s too stressful to manage work and cruising.
It can be stressful, especially if you’re juggling weather, boat projects, and Zoom meetings on a tight deadline. But with some good habits and expectation-setting, it’s totally doable.
A few things that help:
Planning anchorage locations around internet needs
Communicating availability with clients or teams
Setting boundaries (even if the view out your “office” is distracting)
Building in buffer time for boat repairs or weather delays
There’s no shame in saying “I’ll be offline this afternoon to go through a lock.” That’s the beauty of this lifestyle.
Myth #5: You can’t work and enjoy the cruising life.
You absolutely can, but it requires balance.
You probably won’t be sightseeing every day. You may need to skip a beach trip to finish a project. But we’ve found that working afloat gives us the freedom to stay longer, travel slower, and live in a way that aligns with our values.
It’s not about making every moment picture-perfect. It’s about creating a life that blends meaningful work and meaningful adventure.
Ready to Make It Happen?
Whether you’re a freelancer, business owner, remote employee, or just exploring your options, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
My book, Remote Work Afloat, is packed with tools, examples, and practical advice for building a flexible income stream from your boat. It includes:
Real-world remote work ideas (not just tech jobs!)
Tips for internet, schedules, and working around boat life
Encouragement from a fellow cruiser who’s lived it
📘 Now available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook.
