Some Advice Needed - Chartering

[KellysEye]

Re: raising funds

That's interesting in a technical sense but I do think that in general business models are what holds business back. The business model for travel was horses and when Britain was covered in horse manure there was little point in investing in horses, it was a buyers market. But then along came trains, cars, planes, etc.

Business models are almost like accepted rules and you don't get rich playing by somebody else's rules. If I were 06 I'd look closely at the model and do something better (for which read what do charterers and owners need in the future and bear in mind they may not know because it's not on offer yet). The alternative is a service/price war.

 

[Sailfree]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey

I have chartered a few boats but am consious that i havn't chartered as many of some you in this forum.

I agree with you all that there are unscrupulous charter companies out there and that it is largely still fairly unacessable to some.


I hope it all works! Of course raising funds to start is the biggest challenge!

What do you all think?

(P.S. Thanks for the info so far!)

Matt

[/ QUOTE ]

Where did you see the advert to charter those boats or did you book at a boat show?

Find out the cost of that advert and the price of a stand at the boat show, do you intend to have premises where the boats (people want to step on a boat not row out to it) are plus marina costs or are you going to stand in the rain for a few hours waiting for charters to turn up or return. Got all the sizes of wet weather gear for thje charterers have you. Factor these costs over 2 boats, West country holiday season 12-16 weeks max (8 weeks fully booked if you are lucky) , Solent same plus weekends in Winter.

You are going to own 1 or 2 boats and want others to place their boats with you now I wonder which boat will get booked first with you answering the phone!

If the bank is interested in your business plan I am sure they want to secure the loan against the house?

Now let me be serious can you post details of your house so I can see if we would be interested when it comes on the market please!

If you have an HND in business studies learn the 1st lesson - if others are going broke what are they doing wrong or are they idiots. Unless you have a different business model to every else be warned.

There are lots of business opportunities but I don't think settting up a charter business in an oversubscribed market (most sailing schools do bare boat charters as well to increase their income!) is one of the better prospects!