Hourly Profit Rate

[Overkill Overkill]

Hello all,

I've done some metal detecting on Florida beaches as I grew up there. But now I live in Missouri.
Anyway, my best thinking is telling me to find cheap air fare to Florida a couple of times per year for a few days at a time to treasure hunt the Clearwater Beach area on the West Coast. My question: can anyone share any statistics they've generated or come across regarding hours logged vs. profit. For example, someone may say that for every 100 hours hunting, they make an average of $1400 gross.
Any answers would be great! Thanks.

 

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[Buried Crap NJ]

Speaking for myself I don't hunt for profit. Sure I like gold in my scoop, I take home all the change I find, but the reason why I do this is for the thrill of seeing whats next in my scoop! Others my have there own reasons. That to me is what makes this hobby so fun. If I needed the money, I shouldn't have bought the 10th detector costing 1200 bucks in the first place? steve

 

[ghiotom]

Speaking for myself I don't hunt for profit. Sure I like gold in my scoop, I take home all the change I find, but the reason why I do this is for the thrill of seeing whats next in my scoop! Others my have there own reasons. That to me is what makes this hobby so fun. If I needed the money, I shouldn't have bought the 10th detector costing 1200 bucks in the first place? steve

My sentiments exactly, except I'm only on detector #2.

 

[godisnum1]

I was born & raised in St Pete, FL... moved to Springfield, Missouri (Misery? sp?) for college for 6 years... now I've moved back to St Pete again. If you're in it purely for the profit, I doubt you'll ever be satisfied. Of course, the more time you put into the hobby, the more good items you'll likely find. Because of my job & life, I personally don't have the time many seem to have to dedicate to hunting. I'm sure those who spend all day, every day, doing what they do best come home with many great trinkets... it's just fun when I actually have time to get outside. What I find is just the bonus to a relaxing day doing what I love.

Bran <><

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Clearwater beach is one of the most heavly hunted beaches....

100 hours is hunting 12 hours a day for 8.15 days straight.....Your dreaming if you think your going to find that much gold consistently......You may not find a gold ring in 100 hours, or you may find 1 ring worth 4 times that in a day, you just can't really tell or count on a ratio like that. Now maybe if your hunting the French Riveria, or you find a really popular beach where no one ever hunts,.... then maybe..........

 

[fathead]

Let's say you could hunt 8 hrs a day without being sunburned, bug-bit, dog-bit, cut by glass or scrap, or run of by looky-loos. That's 12.5 days to make 100 hrs. That is doable.

Expenses:

cheap food for one grown man (2 meals in a beach town)- $20 per day X 12.5= $250

sunscreen - $8 for something effective

batteries - two 9 volts X 3 reloads (based on 33.3 hrs per set) -6 total X $4= $24

gas to and from the beach say 2 gal if your friend is close- 2X13=26 X $2.50 = $65

extra cheap airfair- $200

extra cheap detector that won't work well in wet sand- $250

So let's say $797 dollars out of pocket if you don't do anything else at all on your warm weather vacation.
That's $7.97 an hour you must make and save to break even. I average (I'm not that good) $0.37 an hour.

 

[Diver_Down]

I average (I'm not that good) $0.37 an hour.

Crap! I earned $0.11 in a half hour hunt, today. Yesterday (half hour also), I pulled 5 zincolns from the sand.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

What Pockets didn't tell you is that I was in same water, just as deep about 30 feet behind him moving the same direction as he was ........Grrrr $#@#$&**%##..........LOL

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

First come !!! First Served !!!

That's what he says---------->

 

[Sandman]

What Pockets didn't tell you is that I was in same water, just as deep about 30 feet behind him moving the same direction as he was ........Grrrr $#@#$&**%##..........LOL

In other words, Pockets stole it out of your scoop. My brother in law always accuses me of this.

As for making a profit from detecting it is possible for a short amout of time. However you would average more "profit" working at a fast food joint. Most of us hunt for the thrill of finding something an the excitement of getting some gold in the scoop. After you figure in your time, cost of equipment, gas and extras, it comes down to having fun or are you working?

 

[gold-digger]

If you were to vacation this past winter, you would most likely be in the negative $$$. This has probably been the deadest winter season I've seen in years.

 

[GuerillaBill]

If you live in Missouri, start detecting in Missouri.

Some of my most interesting finds have been in and around small swimming holes in Northwest Arkansas and southern Missouri.

Not many people detect these areas, and they can be filled with treasures.

Especially during the winter when the lakes are drawn down.

Check the public beaches in the state parks, corp of engineer parks, boat ramps, popular canoe launches and landings, under old iron bridges, and the blue water swimming holes (look for tire swings).

These places will be a lot closer than Florida, and will be less hunted, and likely you'll find more.

Bill

 

[Gator-Flea]

I go to Florida's west coast twice a year to metal detect. I call it a vacation

 

[scrounger d detector collector]

why does everyone want to turn this into a job. it obviously dont pay on a regular basis or everyone would be doing it. to do it u need the right rather
expensive equipment. and quick access. for every hour i spend at beach
at least 2 or 3 gettin there n parking details n gettin back.

check out fatheads post.. and i think he was on the low side

the idea is GO HAVE FUN and IF u find anythingreat iz a bonus

 

[Tank69]

this is a Hobby I enjoy , ofcourse if you ask the Red Head she will tell you I'm addicted , but to me it's all fun an the day I have to worry about making a profit I will stop because the fun will be gone .