Wakeboard Boat Summer Rental

[MurphysWake22]

Hey guys I wanted to get a little wakeboarding discussion going. I have noticed a huge gap in the market, but it could be because there are not enough boats out there. With so many people wanting to get into wakeboarding or upgrade to a better wakeboarding boat, but the prices so high many people just can't. Why aren't marinas, boat owners, etc doing monthly rentals at quality rates? The best I have seen is $1300 a day for 7-21 days. That's ridiculous. Anyways- why don't you think they are renting like apartments- a deposit, and a competitive monthly rate - depending on boat year and features?

Anyone have any ideas on how to get a business like this going or is it completely naive?

[HS]

I just checked online for rentals at Lake Chelan and found rates as low as $250/day for a 17.5' Bayliner to $750/ft fot MCs.

As far as long term rentals, I have seen "Yacht Lease" programs which is basically a time share where the company rounds up owners that want to defray the cost of ownership by renting out their boat for about 70% of the year. . .the comapny provides moorage, maintenace, handles bookings and registration of folks that enter the program to lease boats. But those are boats that generally aren't trailerable and are moored at marinas.

Used to be pretty commonplace to find day rental boats but they were low power and low thrills. Also, I think most insurance is for owner's usage and not for commercial rentals, so there is a cost to adress on the liability side.

[s_kelley2000]

I can't think of the name but there used to be a company that advertised in Boating magazine that had a time share type thing like HS mentioned but this was for smaller runabouts, fishing boats and I think they offered some inboards too. You got a certain amount of hours to use the boat each month and it would be coordinated with the other time share owners.

I think insurance and keeping the boat in good condition are probably the biggest hurdles for rental companies. A lot of renters likely wouldn't have much previous boating experience so wear and tear will be increased, especially once you factor in "rental car syndrome". With long term boat loans you can get your monthly payment pretty low if you don't mind paying a ton of interest over the years. You could probably spend the same for a week long rental as you would for half a years boat payments.

I think cable parks are really lowering the barriers to enter the sport of wakboarding but nothing can compare to being out on the boat with family and friends.

[axeman]

We have something like that here in Dallas:

http://www.bigdboatclub.com/

(I am in not affiliated with them, just sharing info)

[1sicknautique]

We have something like that here in Dallas:

http://www.bigdboatclub.com/

(I am in not affiliated with them, just sharing info)

thats a pretty sweet deal, if i had about a million liquid to play with i'd start up the same thing. just buy about 5-7 used 210's, used 5-7 230's and a couple nautique ski boats.

[MikeC]

When the economy was booming the boat clubs were popping up everywhere, mostly with runabouts, pontoons and cruisers - depending on your location.

There happens to be a company in north Georgia that does exactly what you talking about though - they rent everything from jetskis to Malibu Wakesetters, plus they'll deliver the boat to your location (I don't know what their limit is but I know they deliver over 100 miles on occasion). Young Harris Watersports on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, GA.

[1sicknautique]

When the economy was booming the boat clubs were popping up everywhere, mostly with runabouts, pontoons and cruisers - depending on your location.

There happens to be a company in north Georgia that does exactly what you talking about though - they rent everything from jetskis to Malibu Wakesetters, plus they'll deliver the boat to your location (I don't know what their limit is but I know they deliver over 100 miles on occasion). Young Harris Watersports on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, GA.

how's there business doing?

[pe4me]

Interesting, I would think if you had access to fishbowl type lakes with nothing to worry about as far as obstructions you might be able to overcome insurance premiums (if that's possible) and have a stiff wear n tear disclaimer. Families looking to see if watersports is there "thing" because they don't have a friend or relative could appeal to them. There are tons of people who just haven't been exposed. + the classic rental types, I wish I were able to just rent, however its just not as much as load the boat, clean the boat, store the boat, buy gas for the boat, winterize the boat, put beer in the boat, tow the boat, "no sandals in the boat," pay insurance on the boat, everyone splits and takes a hot shower while dad unloads/airs out the boat, take up garage space boat that is so appealing Why would anyone want to rent? Deliver that wakesetter on Friday, we'll piss pound it all weekend and then come and get-I am sure there are many who see the value in that.

Seriously though, you would have to find great deals on boat(s)+ equipment and be close to the right body(s) of water. This sounds like boating just became a job.

[nyryan2001]

I think there certainly would be a big market for it.... And folks would pay... But it'd likely need to be a dealer or someone with all the prerequisite tools, parts etc to keep the running well at decent price.

I think the risk/damage/$$$ for newbies driving inboard ski boats is ridiculously high. It's not anything like a bayliner I/O or a pontoon where all you are really worried about is the prop. Everything from docking damages, running aground, running over tow ropes, dunking the bow under rollers...... how rough renters and newbies would be. you are certainly in the $700+ daily range to turn profits. Even if you do have a strict damage waiver...do you think you could get folks to drop a $2000 damage deposit on their credit cards? Or do you think a collections agency or the courts would help you recoup damages? Dealing with the American public is a PITA.

[pe4me]

I think the risk/damage/$$$ for newbies driving inboard ski boats is ridiculously high. It's not anything like a bayliner I/O or a pontoon where all you are really worried about is the prop. Everything from docking damages, running aground, running over tow ropes, dunking the bow under rollers...... how rough renters and newbies would be. you are certainly in the $700+ daily range to turn profits. Even if you do have a strict damage waiver...do you think you could get folks to drop a $2000 damage deposit on their credit cards? Or do you think a collections agency or the courts would help you recoup damages? Dealing with the American public is a PITA.

There is a steep learning curve no doubt, since you put it that way...the public does not understand any of this...let alone people that come out and are exposed to it STILL have no clue and should never be at the helm.

But you have to start somewhere, and if you can wreck the "other guys" boat instead of the boat you just paid X for, it becomes even more appealing.

[shawndoggy]

You've really only got 2-2.5 months of the year to make ALL of your money. That's why the rental rates are so out of whack with monthly payments. Nobody but nobody is going to rent a boat between November and April, and you'll probably have very very few rentals except from mid June through Labor day. Then it's over. So you've got to be able to charge enough to make a profit in those two and a half months to cover the carrying cost of owning the boat for the whole year.

[MurphysWake22]

Makes a lot of sense. Boats are pricey any way you put it - probably why its hard to get new customers as well, that's why I thought if there was a cheap way to get them in the boat, they just might become new customers.

[1sicknautique]

Just buy a nice nautique and drive and tow people around yourself. Kinda like a taxi driver so the family and yourself don't need to worry about anything but having fun. Charge 3/4 the price and your own insurance is all you need. This way you control the wear and tear on your boat. "this has me thinking, no boat payment= go and get that g23 and does the above statement and have a free boat." = 0

[BoardNBama]

I too think many people may be interested in boating if they were exposed to it, but they may not have access to one to find out. This goes not only for family boat cruising, but there are many people that may be interested to try wakeboarding or other but don't have any exposure to the sport. The only thing I have seen as far as boat rentals is daily.

[MurphysWake22]

Ky idea has been started already. Check it out....

http://www.boatingindustry.com/top-s...rine-industry/