Setting up a boating business

[Nick_H]

I would have doubts as to their unbreakability, and would therefore buy the ones on the right as they have thicker stems. We use the same glasses for red, white, rose, and fizz on the boat to avoid having to store more than one set.

 

[A&K]

If you can get the glasses past the jfm unbreakability challenge you're onto a winner.

 

[jfm]

If you can get the glasses past the jfm unbreakability challenge you're onto a winner.

Got it down to fine art now A+K. Mr+mrs jrudge were aboard weekend before last and we did some decent glass collisioning and managed not to create much wincing but not smash anything at all. I'll demonstrate next time we're at anchor. On your boat.

 

[petem]

We use the same glasses for red, white, rose, and fizz on the boat to avoid having to store more than one set.

Steady on Nick, Fizz in a wine glass, I think that's one compromise too many !

 

[benjenbav]

Steady on Nick, Fizz in a wine glass, I think that's one compromise too many !

I think that's just about ok, so long as you open the bottle like this:

 

[jfm]

Haha! Well if I can indulge in some sabrage badassery on mr + mrs jrudge's behalf, when they were on board my tub in Antibes 10 days ago they took us instructively* right through the champagne bottle opening with sword thing. They had a top tip which is to run the sharp knife/saw blade around the circumference of the bottle right under the lip, scoring the glass. Scoring the glass makes it break more badassly

(*The lesson involves overheads of about £1400 if done well.)

 

[benjenbav]

Haha! Well if I can indulge in some sabrage badassery on mr + mrs jrudge's behalf, when they were on board my tub in Antibes 10 days ago they took us instructively* right through the champagne bottle opening with sword thing. They had a top tip which is to run the sharp knife/saw blade around the circumference of the bottle right under the lip, scoring the glass. Scoring the glass makes it break more badassly

(*The lesson involves overheads of about £1400 if done well.)

I have a chum, who honed his sabrage skills on taxpayer-subsidised vintage champagne whilst tobogganing at St Moritz in defence of the realm, who was a bit apoplectic to see that that little video was filmed in the Cavalry and Guards Club in Piccadilly.

Surely scoring the rim is a bit like shooting a sitting bird: not quite done?

 

[petem]

I have a chum, who honed his sabrage skills on taxpayer-subsidised vintage champagne whilst tobogganing at St Moritz in defence of the realm, who was a bit apoplectic to see that that little video was filmed in the Cavalry and Guards Club in Piccadilly.

Surely scoring the rim is a bit like shooting a sitting bird: not quite done?

Sorry but I can't sanction any opening technique that results in so much wasted booze !

 

[jfm]

Surely scoring the rim is a bit like shooting a sitting bird: not quite done?

Yup, might well be. It might not have any effect other than as a placebo in the mind of the sabrage-iste, which would be a good thing for a novice and superfluous for others. I'll have to ask my teacher. JRudge?

On a very slightly related matter, the opening of beer bottles, I wear a pair of those Reef Philippe Fallops with bottle openers in the soles. Very handy if you don't happen to have your sabre with you. Just saying.

 

[benjenbav]

Yup, might well be. It might not have any effect other than as a placebo in the mind of the sabrage-iste, which would be a good thing for a novice and superfluous for others. I'll have to ask my teacher. JRudge?

On a very slightly related matter, the opening of beer bottles, I wear a pair of those Reef Philippe Fallops with bottle openers in the soles. Very handy if you don't happen to have your sabre with you. Just saying.

I just feel that I need much more practice in the arts of opening interesting bottles...

 

[petem]

I thought it was time to update this thread. My website / business is up and running now. I've gone live with custom flat cut stainless steel letters, Rollneck (universal) fender socks and custom fender socks sourced from Germany. The Rollneck socks are selling steadily and I've taken four stainless orders.

I've learned a lot on the stainless front, in particular what you need to order and what the end product should look like. Surprisingly, sourcing suppliers has taken a load of effort. Of the two suppliers I've used, one has turned out to be good, the other I'm in disupute with over their failure to deliver. I've also found a very cheap graphic designer who is able to modify artwork to make it suitable for cutting.

In summary, I'm confident that I can deliver a great product at a competitive price.

Having spent time on board with Deleted User, the items that I'm considering adding to my range are:

1) Welcome / door mats

My intention is to offer some really practical and good value nautical styled mats (I think you can overdo the nautical theming but these are OK). In addition, I have sourced some pricier but very stylish braided rope mats. I'm not sure about rubber backed customised mats but can source these if there's a demand for them.

2) Shatter proof drinking glasses and crockery

I'm still tempted to add a limited range of these glasses if I can get them at a low enough price to give me a decent margin. There's no point in doing this if they can be bought cheaper on Amazon. I also have a reliable local engraver who can sand-blast glasses to include boat names or logos if required (makes a nice present ).

I'm not a big fan of nautical themed crockery but to match the glasses I could stock plain white or subtle blue bordered Corelle tableware. This is also reputed to be shatter proof.

3) Shoe baskets

I think there's a demand for top quality rattan shoe and towel baskets. I've found a supplier who can make these to my specification and I've a few neat features that I want to include. Retail will be around £200 (inc VAT and delivery) for a large basket. If anyone fancies one and wants to feed into the design process then please let me know (due to it being a prototype I'll do it at cost). In addition to the rattan basket I'll offer a top end teak and rope Italian made version.

On the marketing side I've managed to re-acquaint myself with Adwords which is generating some sales. I'm not a great fan of social media but will Tweet of FB photos of completed stainless boat names and new products for a bit of interest.

Thanks to everyone for their input and in particular those brave souls who have placed orders with me (Jurgen in particular for his patience).

Pete

 

[petem]

Forgot to say, I'm quite enjoying being product designer, buyer, webmaster, programmer, graphic designer, salesman, SEO expert, fulfilment operative, copy writer, manufacturer, quality controller and book keeper! And of course, being able to do all of this myself, has kept my set-up costs tiny and means that I can work on tight margins.

 

[Croftie]

Forgot to say, I'm quite enjoying being product designer, buyer, webmaster, programmer, graphic designer, salesman, SEO expert, fulfilment operative, copy writer, manufacturer, quality controller and book keeper!

So does that mean you are keeping to your original idea/statement of

I could probably devote one working day a week to the venture

 

[petem]

So does that mean you are keeping to your original idea/statement of

Absolutely! In fact, its just evenings and weekend at the moment (a weird hobby I know and I have an understanding wife)!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I thought it was time to update this thread. My website / business is up and running now.

Pete how about putting the website address up here

 

[petem]

Pete how about putting the website address up here

Mike, I'm just conscious of the forum rules and in particular how I've already pushed my luck a bit with this thread.

Pete

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Mike, I'm just conscious of the forum rules and in particular how I've already pushed my luck a bit with this thread.

Pete as a forum veteran, I'm sure the mods would cut you some slack on this. In any case, there are quite a few other forumites who do advertise their marine related businesses in their tag lines. Anyway PM me if you still feel reluctant

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Pete as a forum veteran, I'm sure the mods would cut you some slack on this. In any case, there are quite a few other forumites who do advertise their marine related businesses in their tag lines. Anyway PM me if you still feel reluctant

Agreed. Please do post the link, as one of your guinea pigs I'd be interested to have a look at your website. Plus, isn't there a forum rule that allows a signature link provided you have a reciprocal home page link back to YBW?

 

[lisilou]

I'd like to see a link here too Pete.
L

 

[petem]

Ok point taken. There's some updates that I want to make over the weekend but once I've made those I'll put the link in my signature.

In the mean time, can I interest anyone is a beautiful shoe basket? I can send a sample pic if anyone is.

Pete