Boat business idea - feedback please

[fotta]

Hello everyone. I am planning to start a business in Toronto and am exploring its viability. I would like to get some feedback from you. My business concept it to provide a mobile power washing service to boat owners that don't have the time or inclination to perform this time consuming chore themselves. My question is what would be a reasonable rate to charge for this service? Also am considering a service that would visit client boats once a week and make sure that the boat is okay - adjust lines, sail covers, fenders, etc. then provide a detailed report of the boat's condition. Again - what do you think would be a reasonable amount to charge for this service ? Any feedback is much appreciated.

 

[stevens]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

You mean steamwashing the boat on the outside, or cleaning the hull below the waterline (like this link )? A steamwash would be worth the same as a carwash to me, maybe a bit more since it is not so commonly offered. Under water scrubbing, USD 50 maybe?<br /><br />The "looking after your boat"- service is worthless to me, but maybe valuable to someone who didn't live near his boat?

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

I am not sure how much I would pay. Probably no more than $15 for my 18 footer, and I would only want the service 1-2 times a year. It does not take me long to take care of my boat, and I enjoy the work. I suspect a lot of boat owners have the same love affair and would prefer to take care of their boat themselves. <br /><br />As a starting point you may want to first determine how much it will cost you to offer the services, and then you can solicit to see what price over your cost is reasonable. If you can keep your costs down, then you have a reasonable chance at offering the services at a price some boaters are willing to pay for.<br /><br />Good luck with your business venture.

 

[fotta]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

Thx for the responses. By power washing I was referring to topside washing while the boat is docked - not a hull wash and haul-out. Essentially an inexpensive service to keep the boat clean so that it *is* clean whenever the owner decides to use it. I am guessing that this would be more valuable to owners with larger boats than smaller runabout style boats because of the amount of time required to perform this task on a larger boat.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

Thought I would add my spin on your idea. Have an awful lot of boats around here and have never seen a service that you suggest. It might exist around the big boats but i am with the small guys. First, would the marina allow you to operate out of there location? Next, power washers can do some damage. You could expect some customers to insist you did some harm to there equipment, real or imagined. How would you handel that? Would you need a license and insurance? <br /> A washer is not a big investment so give it a shot. Dont go buying a new truck expecting to pay for it with your profits. One more thing I have observed, A few big boat owners are out in left field and there boat is an extension of there egoes. They can be overly demanding and expect you to give them the world for free. Lots are slow in paying or wont because you missed something. Ever notice the better tippers in a tavern or resturant are the little people? Hope I did not step on any toes! regards fred

 

[Jeff Quigley]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

Fotta,<br /><br />That does sound interesting and the rest of the responses are all valid ones. I'm out in Whitby and have my boat docked at Port Whitby and up in Scugog - in uncovered and covered slips. The covered slip caused me the most problems with bird dropping and insects. It was a battle to keep it clean.<br /><br />If I were you I'd think about how you market your service. Firstly, you must get in with all the local marinas so that you can legally gain access to the docks. Once you get their OK you're going to have to do what Fred says and check into insurance. To ensure payments, try doing what area snow plow guys do, offer packages up front - weekly, bi weekly, monthly and once a season deals. If I were doing this, my spin would be to sell the benefit of coming down to an already clean boat for the client. "Don't start your boating weekend by working and cleaning". Buy in for larger boat owners would probably be easiest actually. They might look at it more as a maid service and then they all might start Jones-ing it. <br /><br />I know a lot of the area boaters around here, like myself, take many fridays off so wee can get on the boat and out on the water ASAP in the summer. Most of the time I go up early, clean, and then go back and bring up the family. Eliminating this would be a good thing for me. So, if you were to plan your work week, first off I would see you busy on Thursdays and early Fridays. As you get more contract, it'll be a daily thing. <br /><br />You might also want to approach marinas and have them contract you. Your services might only be worth 10 - 20 dollars per boat, but if a marina calls you to do a pier with 100 boats on it and you can do it in a day (simple spray downs) you're doing ok. Back breaking work - yes! But, you'll be busy during the summer month and local students can help you as well. You walk with the pwer sprayer, and then the use some scrub brushes, then you spray again.<br /><br />Keep me posted - When my boat is back in the water next year, maybe I'll be a client. <br /><br />Jeff Q

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

The idea sounds good on paper but many new small businesses fail because they are under capitalized, they underestimate their initial startup costs (equipment, supplies, marketing, fuel, insurance, personal living expense needs while no income coming in, etc.) and they over estimate the real customer demand and revenue. After a few months of lots of money going out and little coming in they throw in the towel before they go broke. <br /><br />There are hundred of good questions you should have answers to before beginning this venture so let's help him out Iboat forum and start asking...<br /> <br />+1 Will this be your primary source of family income? (If yes, then you are at extra risk for early failure due to continuing personal cash flow needs).<br /><br />+2 How much "aftertax monthly cashflow" do you need to survive (home and business expenses) and how much savings do you have?<br /><br />+3 How many total boats are in your service area and how many realistically would even be interested in using your service (even if cheap)? <br /><br />+4 How often would the average willing customer use your service?<br /><br />and so on, and so on, you get my drift, your trying to find out what is reality ...<br /><br />Let's ask him so more key questions everyone...

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

I like the idea.... you gonna carry along a battery and bilge pump too? Just dont quit your day job untill you have a couple of years and some loyal customers and too much work to make your day job worthwhile anymore. Trust me <br /><br />I agree with JeffQ " They might look at it more as a maid service and then they all might start Jones-ing it."<br /><br />Marketing is everything.

 

[Jeff Quigley]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

oh - one more thing as well. More than likely many of the boats you service will be in the water. You should make sure you look into eco friendly green products and make sure you stress that in adverising or your pitch. Check out the Ontario Marine Operators Association's website (http://www.omoa.com). This website is also great for locating all area marinas in and around the GTA.<br /><br />It's important to many Ontario Marines to have an Eco-Friendly rating and, if you're touting the use of green products and safe cleansers that won't hurt the environment, then you'll have an easier time swaying them towards your service. Of course, many marinas will want a cut of your sales so price accordingly.<br /><br />JeffQ<br /><br />PS. Wimperdink is 100% bang on... Marketing is everything. As long as you're in the forums here - my advice is free!

 

[Davenc]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

I just spent about three hours cleaning one of my boats, its a beautiful day here and would much rather have been on the water in my other boat. I havent seen any one in my area who dolls up boats. Plenty of car guys but no boat guys.<br />I would gladly use a service that cleaned my boat probably twice a month. I have my truck done about every other month at $80.00 per.<br />I guess I would spend about $50.00 per time for my boat.<br />You are getting good advice here, use it. I am self employed going on 17 years. The biggest hurdle is having the capital to stay alive for at least a year. If you dont have that then save until you do. Your work will be seasonal, you have to charge enough to make it during the slow season without starving.<br />Insurance and capital are going to be your best friends. Good luck.<br /><br />Dave

 

[Solittle]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

I doubt that many marinas will allow you to offer this service on their property due to liability. They might be willing if you offer to serve as a concessionaire to them under a legally binding agreement which gives them liability protection. That would mean, of course, that you would have to pay them a percentage of your fees plus you would have to have suitable insurance to protect yourself.<br /><br />Don't quit your day job - - - how are you going to provide the service working at night??.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

Not quite the same business model as yours, but here's a classified ad from my local fishing forum...complete detail...wax, buff, carpet shampoo, $200.

 

[jollymon]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

I do not think it is a bad idea, but an you make a living at it. You might have to expand your offerings. You could use the quick wash down before/after the weekend to keep money coming in, but to mak money I think you will to offer full detailing service. <br /><br />Check this guys web site out http://www.precision-online.com <br />he Does good work, but the web site is very weak. I know he says he starts at $10.00 per foot, but I think in reality it is closer to $15.00 <br /><br />He was doing work at our yacht club, but our by-laws changed and he had to show proof of insurane, now I do not think he can afford to do irt anymore.<br /><br />best of luck.

 

[BillP]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

I think you should do cars instead. Boat people are too cheap.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

Originally posted by BillP:<br /> I think you should do cars instead. Boat people are too cheap.

not convinced...maybe it's just iboat people that are cheap...we're a bunch of doityourselfers.<br /><br />All the lakes of any size have huge yachts in the slips...some of which have got to be owned by fotta's future customers. If he gets the model just right, be the first in a new industry...could work. If you've got more time than you have money this is the kind of thing that could work. One or two customers & get the word of mouth thing going...

 

[Smedley]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

Here's my $.02....After talking with the marinas, why not have them ask their boat owners if such a service would be valuable to them. If a marina has 200 boats and 50 percent of them say they could use such a service then you potentially have 100 clients. I think that fishing and tour guides would be your best customers since their boats get repeated use. The only thing with the fishing guides is that they usually have deckhands to do this type of work for them. Guides' boats can get pretty nasty after a day of bait cutting and fish gaffing so plan your pricing strategy accordingly. Would you charge the same amount to someone who just has some bird droppings in their boat as the guide who has fish guts and chumm all over the deck? <br /><br />The guy who just uses his boat one weekend a month probably will be a do-it-yourselfer. But then again, some people just don't want to waste their time spent on the water. <br /><br />I would have a pricing schedule for weekly/bi-weekly, monthly/bi-monthly, or every-once-in-a while jobs.<br /><br />I think this would be a great service and potentially a great business. After all, there are guys that make a pretty good living steam cleaning parking lots. Just do as the others here have suggested and make sure you have enough money to live on and run a business for at least a year before jumping in and sinking. Good Luck.

 

[kurb]

Re: Boat business idea - feedback please

On the west coast they charge $2.00/ft. Be warned there are now regulations regarding bottom paint and power washing from the Feds, pk.