[NYCAP123]

GalvBayTex,
For me it came 20 years ago at age 38. What I can tell you is that it's gotten harder. Sorry. The key is to be flexible and pay your dues. Everyone's path is different. Mine took me through working in a boatyard under some oldtime masters, followed by cleaning oilspills, dinneryachts, launch work, sport fishing, owning a tour boat, managing (2) marinas, doing deliveries, teaching, p/t captain, yacht management, etc., etc. That's after a lifetime of recreational boating. The fact is that even back then doors weren't open to "an old guy". I had to kick down every one.
Let me give you a lesson on what not to do. A few years back I had a new 50GT as my deckhand on a Florida run. At our first stop I showed him how I like a boat secured and told him that by the time we reach Florida he'll be a good deckhand. He told me "I don't have to learn how to be a deckhand, I'm a captain". I think he now sells shoes. Learn to be a good deckhand.