Charter operator links?

[cupper3]

Greetings:

Although this is not an original idea, I know, we want to buy a boat and then charter it ourselves (we being the operators).

I am having trouble finding links or particularly forums where others who are operating their boat for charter may exchange ideas.

Can anyone help? Particularly I am looking for forums that discuss issues specific to charter operations - marketing, client issues, cost vs. income etc.

Any assistance is very much appreciate

 

[Terry411]

I looked into awhile back insurance was high, need to be a captain 6 pack min or have a captain to checkout customers. Alot of work for one boat and your stuff will get torn up.

 

[Ross]

You want to establish a business that features short term rentals of a sailboat.
You need to write a business plan.
You need to learn the requirements for licensing for such an operation.
You need to set a goal for the business.
and finally you need to establish an end plan for when you quit the business.

 

[capejt]

Let's put it this way....

Speaking as someone who worked in the industry for several years, let me ask you this...
Would you rent your new car out to complete strangers? People who have no concern about the welfare of YOUR car?
The wear and tear on a charter boat is about ten times that of a privately owned and used boat. A "new" boat becomes a very "used" boat in a very short time.
And of course there are other matters such as insurance and other costs to be considered as mentioned in earlier posts.​

 

[cupper3]

You want to establish a business that features short term rentals of a sailboat.
You need to write a business plan.
You need to learn the requirements for licensing for such an operation.
You need to set a goal for the business.
and finally you need to establish an end plan for when you quit the business.

I sit on the board of a business incubator that has over 100 clients, so I know business plans well, having guided many startups through them

Licensing is different in each jurisdiction, and that information I am obtaining as we speak.

What I am looking to do is discuss issues with existing crewed charter operators... what works for them, what would they do differently, and what things to run away from.

 

[cupper3]

Speaking as someone who worked in the industry for several years, let me ask you this...
Would you rent your new car out to complete strangers? People who have no concern about the welfare of YOUR car?
The wear and tear on a charter boat is about ten times that of a privately owned and used boat. A "new" boat becomes a very "used" boat in a very short time.
And of course there are other matters such as insurance and other costs to be considered as mentioned in earlier posts.​

I should have indicated more strongly that these will be crewed charters as opposed to bare boat.