Archive for September, 2009
I am thinking of investing on a yacht. The plan is to rent it for private vacations. Is the demand there for this type of business or is the competition high?……. IS THIS WORTH IT?
The biggest single "secret" in business is not to be better, but to be different. You won’t out-compete Coca-Cola Amatil – so you create something they cannot or will not sell and develop your own market.
Same with a charter business, first work out clearly what it is that will distinguish you from all the competition. If there is not a clear difference to you – how will your target market see any reason to pick you over the rest out there? Really hard to get high in the listings if you choose a business name like Zapruders Charters!
A common thing I note with Australian charter operators is for a charter operator to have vessels in their fleet owned by private individuals. The charter company operates the boat and maintains it – the owner pays for the boat and of course gets several weeks in season for their own use (or the use of nominated groups such as employees or charity groups for fund-raising). much of this is bare-boat charter, but the company has qualified skippers for those who really just want to party and drift along with zero brain activity (a perfectly valid desire for a holiday I think!) The manufacturers of some 40 foot catamarans actually feature this as a sales point in their brochures. The idea works well for those o.k. with owning a boat that is used by a lot of strangers, and those who can justify owning a boat as a business expense, but not as a personal liability. The general set-up means the income from the commercial charter business covers all loan and other costs, gives the charter group a profit and means you have a boat to use for ‘free’ a few weeks a year. Eventually the vessel is fully paid for and you either continue with the scheme and take a profit (although after a few years of charter work you are going to be refitting and upgrading quite extensively, which also minimises tax legally – profit should always be after all possible expenses are paid) or take her home and use her full time. Or you can just sell her.
To start the whole business from scratch is very much a lifestyle decision, and you have a lot of costs in this type of venture, licensing, insurance, survey, qualifications, maintenance, finance, personal, advertising and so on. There is a large amount of cash required just to start, and without careful management you can easily go backwards. An existing charter business might be worthwhile looking into – but in the end this is a decision that must be made coldly and logically – there is a large amount of money required and the returns for that level of investment must be actual and achievable.
"Investing" in a yacht is an oxymoron. Any vessel is a liability, and must be treated as such unless you want to be bitterly disappointed. Unless you are very comfortable with strangers, and more to the point they are comfortable with you the experience may become very confronting. Unlike the taking of friends out for a weekend this type of business requires you to be able to deal with people you might never otherwise have a thing to do with socially, and they are paying you for a positive, memorable experience. If you get it right you will get return business for years to come, if not it will be very hard.
You should research this very carefully so you do not go in assuming anything – including going on a charter or two yourself of different sorts so you get a view from the consumers side.
Luxury Day Charters in the Virgin Islands
Chillaxin’ means simply… Chillin’ and Relaxin’!
It’s no secret… the U.S. and British Virgin Islands are one of the most spectacular vacation destinations in the world. There’s plenty to do in the “V.I.” on both land and sea. However, no trip would be complete without an adventure on the water!
For the discerning adventurer, we would like to offer a day… an exceptional day… like no other you have experienced. A day of Chillaxin’ in luxury and style in the Caribbean!
Imagine yourself on your own powerful Sea Ray motor yacht skimming atop the crystal blue tropical water to an amazing snorkeling spot, a rowdy beach bar, or a private secluded white sand beach… you decide!
Duration : 0:8:52
Uncompromising. World-class. State-of-the-Art. These are the terms that define FLORIDIAN. Every conceivable effort was made during her exacting design and construction to ure the highest possible standards of safety, comfort, privacy, security, communication and amenities.
Duration : 0:6:30
Power Boating, Trailering Your Boat
Let Us Show You How
IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN
• Number one reason boats sink at the ramp
• Roller trailers vs. Bunk trailers
• Four main hitch and trailer components
• Tongue weight defined
• Motor position when trailering
• The proper way to attach safety chains
• How to secure you boat on the trailer
• The easy way to back up your trailer
• How close your vehicle should get to the water
• What to disconnect before entering the water
• How to launch and retrieve safely • How to stay legal on the road
• Useful maintenance tips
Your Host: Taylor Lawson
Taylor Lawson has been working as a professional captain since 1997 when he obtained his first United States Coast Guard license in San Francisco, California. Currently, he makes a living running and delivering motor yachts around the world and training individuals on how to operate their private boats.
A native of Annapolis, MD, he spent his childhood boating with his family from the age of seven. During the summers, he attended sailing school where he gained great insight to the art of close-quarters boat handling. While attending St. Mary’s College of Maryland he raced dinghies on their nationally ranked sailing team and continued in competitive racing circuits after college. While living in Monterey California he was encouraged by an entrepreneur to get a captain’s license and thereafter, run a local sailing charter boat. After California, he moved to the Caribbean where he ran a very busy charter boat. In order to start running motor yachts, he upgraded his engineering skills and safety credentials in Fort Lauderdale. Since then, his career as a motor yacht captain has taken him around the world.
For the complete video visit www.showmehowvideos.com
Duration : 0:2:14