Chartering my day boat

[tsf]

I fish maybe 2 weeks a year around the Kyles of Bute, Scotland. My current 30-year-old day boat has recently become "non-viable". I am trying and failing to rent a boat around the area, so I'm considering purchasing a brand new boat (18-20ft open boat, 80hp).

As I am a very infrequent user, do you think there is any scope for storing the boat in a local boat yard and renting/chartering it to tourists such as myself?

What are the practical/financial/legal considerations for such a venture?

thanks

 

[Sailorsam101]

You might have to get it coded by the cost guard..liferaft, lifejackets, flares....on and on it goes...gets expensive.

That's where I would start looking.

 

[alt]

I coded my 39ft twin inboard boat, in Ireland.

I think the UK is 'easier', but in Ireland it was a LOT of work.

Also, I cannot do bareboat charter, I mul of the st be in control of the vessel at all times.

If you were to do bareboat, best to check with your insurance first.

 

[jfm]

What are the practical/financial/legal considerations for such a venture?

thanks

They are considerable. Boat needs to be coded, which costs money in equipment, surveyor fees and annuals. You are bound to get damage. Insurance premium will be higher. It might not be kept as nice and clean as you would like, unless you pay the boatyard to do all that, which takes plenty out of your profit. The resale value will be less due to the charter history. And punters will haggle with you asking if the £120 charter fee can be cut to £100, or whatever. Sorry to sound negative.

 

[Tranona]

Your difficulty in finding one to charter says it all. It is simply not economical or practical to run a bareboat charter of this type.