New deckhand, crew position, large yacht

1) Get an education
2) Work in a marina during summer break
3) Spend as much time as possible on and around boats
4) get more education
5) get more education

To be honest, I doubt you'll find a job on a yacht. If there are any tour/dinner type boats around you, go talk to them an volunteer for the time being. If you're a hard worker, they will hire you.
The yacht industry isn't really seasonal and most captains are looking for someone who will commit for at least a year. Your age would also be a factor.

Nelson,
Just reread your orig. post and noted the multi references to sailing. It should be noted that most sailboats don't pay their crews (or don't pay real well) until you get into the very serious yachts. What you might be looking at are volunteers. If this is what you are looking at it's great experience in boathandling that will serve you well. You'll also make some good connections. Even if your family isn't a member of a local yacht club drop by. Speak with a few people and maybe the commodore. Ask if there is anything you can do around there as a volunteer. You'll end up on some boats, probably end up making some money and having a great summer.

That sound like a pretty good plan. The last question is too easy a straight line for a motorhead, so I'll leave it alone.

"can you explain why sailing yacht crews don't get paid well ."

Probably because he was referring to little owner operated sailboats that only crew for races on weekends and such or look for volunteer crew for repositioning.

Sailing yachts in the size and type of operation that require professional crew pay very well, just like their motoryacht equivalents. They also require professional sailing skills for the deck crew and generally require a higher standard of training and knowledge in controls and hydraulics on the part of the engineer.

Very well put Marmot. Where a kid may be able to crew (handle lines, keeping things neat, etc.) on a 40' to 65' motoryacht (mainly for a family friend) a sailboat will require a lot more experience before you're worth anything and there's a lot more opportunity to get hurt so you volunteer to get that experience.

At your age I would suggest putting your name on the lists of volunteer crew at local yacht clubs or marinas, take the STCW if you like but right now it will make little difference other than personal development. Right ow I would save that money for tuition at a maritime school which will provide STCW training as part of the curriculum.

Sailing as volunteer crew on a sailboat will be a perfect introduction to working as part of a crew as well as give you the vocabulary and some exposure to the basics of seamanship.

If you really want to pursue a maritime career, contact Great Lakes Maritime Academy and ask them a million questions. Finish high school, have fun in the meantime and look at getting formal training. Even if you decide you don't want to go to sea (it ain't for everyone), it will be a great exercise in "character building."

Nelson,
You might notice a common theme forming here. The is no more running away to join the merchant marine. Without an education you're no good to anybody. Some other schools to look into are the Kings Point Merchant Marine Acadamy and Ft. Skylar MMA in NY. If you are less geared toward formal education or finances are an issue there is also the US Navy where you'll get great training, but get that HS diploma first.

May I suggest taking a 'learn to sail' course in your state to start sailing right away? There are US Sailing/ASA affiliated schools that offer beginner courses; for both theory and on-the-water practice. There should be community boating centers in Ohio that are not costly. NYCap123 and Marmot offered good advice; I would like to add a few of my suggestions.

I would recommend you to learn to sail with a small keelboat first. A Laser or a daysailer sloop would be perfect to get the 'feel' of it. A smaller boat would be less forgiving in the case of sail trim and steering mistakes. If you have time to spare during the summer, why not go for a weekly course or two. Afterwards, you might find it easier to get into the commercial side with this past experience.

Lastly, being a book freak, I know the ASA book you mentioned. It is written in concordance with the ASA course syllabus so it lacks the 'practical' explanations you might need to remember. I would recommend 'Sailing the Basics' by Dave Franzel if you want to read a better one.

Since we haven't met you in person, it's hard to give a guarantee, but there are plenty of people who do just that.