Boat Valet

JamesCampbell

JamesCampbell

New Member
Joined
6 Jul 2006
Messages
15
Location
Bideford North Devon
www.pileprofile.co.uk
Hi Guy's

Im a newby so thought id introduce my self first, im James Campbell 26 and live in Bideford North Devon, I currently own and run a sucesfull carpet and upholstery cleaning business called Pile Profile web page and here is my question, my real passion is boats small or large but mainly with sails, although I do not own a boat I have a fair knowledge but mainly of the larger style like RFA, RN, cruise ship's etc but I want to expand into the valet of boats and am after any advice on what solutions I should be using for this service, im currently looking at using A Glaze Marine but would welcome any other advice mainly for the interior and links if you have them

Thanks in advance
James
 
Good luck, and I don't want to put you off but I've never heard of anyone doing this before. Even people who set up hull scrubbing enterprises seem to struggle. If you want some good catchphrases to lure the uncertain, think along the lines of "bilge oil removal and scrubbing", "holding tank pumpout", "seagull poo removal" and "toilet unblocking".

The word "valeting" doesn't really fit into my image of what sailing a boat is all about. Cleaning a whole, old boat like mine would require a strong stomach and a full set of immunisations, but I can envisage times when getting somoene else to get all the bird poo removed the Friday before a holiday, or unblock the loo on a charter boat on a Sunday morning would be attractive.
 
You need to position yourself near a large and expensive marina with lots of new boats (gin palaces preferably) and get in with local brokers/agents. There are at least 3 or 4 companies working in my part of the world on a full time basis who seem to earn a decent living. What products they use is a fiercely guarded secret though.
 
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check out these links, this is the sort of thing im hopeing to offer, as we live on the border of devon / cornwall the potential is huge I would of thought as Falmouth is only just over an hour away, I want to offer a little more than just anti fowling with a proffesional service, but yes point taken maybee not the word valet, people want there boat restored not just polished and vacumed

come on JKent you could be my first custy /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

James
 
Buy a huge dehumidifier and a big can of stink killer...... or is it only my boat that smell like tramps trousers with pockets filled with diesel??????
 
No, you were right first time. Many boat owners like getting their pride and joy valeted; it's usually peeps with new or newish boats which are parked up in marinas. Restoration is a completely different kettle of fish and, from what you have said, is probably not the kind of thing you are really set up for.

Just bear in mind that marina operators may well view you as being an outside contractor and would want a cut from any work you do.

To be frank it's not the kind of service that I would ever contemplate using but there are many who would and, if you do a good job, they will be happy to pay for it.
 
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maybee not the word valet, people want there boat restored not just polished and vacumed

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Valet sounds OK to me. Sometimes I might like a thorough clean and polish, inside and out... maybe once a year or so.

Restoration is a different job.

If you want to offer cleaning and polishing, and restoration, there is no reason why not.

"From Valeting to restoration - No job too large, no job too small"
 
One thing you probably want to do is check out what is currently on offer locally, recommened by local marinas etc. Guarantee there already are a few. Find out if the local users of the services and the boatyards and marinas are happy with the services, and what the niggles are.

Then price and more importantly provide value adds that make your service better than others, you don't need to undercut on price, just provide a better service.

'Valet' is OK to use, it's one of first things that people will look for as they know what the term means. Restoration is something completely different in most peoples mind.
 
Thanks for the repsonse Guy's
im glad you all like the term valet as it was the preffered term I would use, the word restoration comes from my main line of work as we offer restoration cleaning not maintainance cleaning but I can see when it comes to boats this could be missleading

Dave and Will thanks v, much for the offer of advice I would very much like to pick your brains

could anyone list a selection of services that I could also offer, you know the ones that need doing but always get put back

also just to push the boat out forgive me for the pun but nobody has sugested yet what they use on there own boats maybee if not product maybee a supplier I would be much appreciated

Thanks again
James
 
In terms of products that really work on grp hulls and metal work. 3M. 3M will be more than happy to give you plenty of advice on which products to use and how to apply them. Somewhere on the forums is the mobile number of one of their guys who is exceptionally helpful

Teak, wessex chemicals 2 part cleaner. Ask tcm for advice.

Tenders and general cleaning - hlb's magic boat removal elixir (yeah , honestly!)
 
i originally was a car valet but when i moved to southend on sea a few months ago i branched out into boats. ive done lots of interiors which are the same chemicals as for cars. ive done hull polishing out of the water and in the water , for which i use a 12ft boat with a petrol generator to power the tools. i love doing boats as the customers always seem more pleasant and when i get a chance to chat with them i can learn stuff for future use when i can afford a good boat of my own

regards nick
 
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