A Houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home. Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually moored, kept stationary at a fixed point and often tethered to land to provide utilities. However, many are capable of operation under their own power. Float house is a Canadian and U.S. term for a house on a float (raft), a rough house may be called a shanty boat.House-boating is a fun and exciting way to spend vacations. Gone are the times when this kind of activity can only be enjoyed by rich people who actually own a house boat. These days anyone can take in this kind of adventure, anyone who has vacation money and vacation time that is.
This type of vacation is ideal not only for families but also for couples who want to spend some quality time together and strengthen bond and for individuals who wants to recharge and distress alone after a year of work. This makes house-boating a quite popular hobby through time.
However, boating experience differ depending on the type of water. There
are dessert and snow banks, steep canyon waters to wide open water and
island studded impoundments.
Boat house market
There are currently hundreds of thousands house boat owners but a lot
more, both first timers and repeaters, are actually into this activity
through boat rental. Cost of rental varies from the size of the boat and
its features, the popularity of the lake and the number of days the
boat is being rented. Thus anyone interested can find a perfect boat for
his budget and needs. This is because not everyone can own and maintain
a house boat. This makes house boat rental a booming business. Type of boat house business
There are two ways one can go into a boat house rental business. One
is by actually owning a house boat and putting it up for others to rent.
The other way does not actually need you to own a boat house, but it
requires that you know people who do and are willing to rent their boat
to others. A lot of boat owners partner with third party or middlemen to
process rentals for them. This second kind of boat house rental
business works by the entrepreneur being the middleman. This may be more
profitable as a business can coordinate rentals for a number of house
boats in a specific area or different areas.
People who haven’t tried house boating might not welcome the idea
initially thinking that it’ll be costly as boating has been seen as a
rich man’s past time. A good boat house rental businessman would know
that spreading of information is the best way to correct this
misinformation. And there is the internet to start with the information
campaign. The World Wide Web can be a good place to promote and conduct
this business especially with the reservations.
Like in any other business, boat house rental business would really
suit someone who actually enjoys this kind of activity as well. As they
say, it is easier to sell something you believe in than something you
don’t know anything about.
Step 1
Write a business plan. The Small Business Administration recommends that you prepare a detailed business plan outlining the organization’s offerings, management structure, accounting practices, loan applications, market analysis, summary of competitors and long-term goals before getting started on a Houseboat charter business. A plan in place helps attract financial backers and sets the stage for stability and growth. For example, conduct a market analysis by visiting local harbors to determine what kinds of boat charters already exist. Outline the possibility of niche offerings, such as sunset charters, whale-watching charters, singles mixers or releasing cremated ashes at sea. Pricing scales might vary depending on time of year or services offered.Step 2
Apply for permits. Most Houseboat charter businesses need permits, including a business license and tax identification number. You’ll need to purchase liability insurance. Houseboat vending food or alcohol will require additional licensing. The Houseboat’s captain will need to hold a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license for carrying passengers. This involves earning a certain amount of sea hours and passing a technical examination, background check and physical exam.Step 3
Lease or purchase a Houseboat. You’ll need a sturdy, dependable boat for transporting passengers. Customers will likely expect coolers and a toilet, but also equip the boat to match charter needs. Fishing boats need pole racks, bait tanks and fish-finding technology, for example. Sightseeing Houseboats should be equipped with plenty of seating. All boats should be equipped with safety gear according to state law, including life vests, fire extinguisher and life rafts.Step 4
Stock charter gear. In addition to safety gear, stock the charter Houseboat with goodies. Snorkel charter Houseboat need snorkeling gear and fins of different sizes with a deck hammock for passengers who don’t want to fully enter the water. Fishing charter boats need quality fishing gear and tackle. Consider stocking sightseeing charter Houseboat, such as a whale-watching boat, with inexpensive binoculars.Step 5
Advertise. Network with local marine supply stores to set up a mutual referral system to promote business. Create a website complete with video footage of whale sightings, landing trophy fish or little kids having fun with snorkeling gear. Reach out to colleagues in the travel industry, including hotel concierge, travel agents and the Chamber of Commerce to promote the Houseboat charter business.Things Needed
- Business plan
- Business license
- Captain's license
- Liability insurance
- Houseboat
- Safety gear
- Charter gear
- Website
- Nausea medication
Tips
- For many guests, part of the fun of climbing
aboard a charter boat involves a friendly, charismatic captain and crew.
While employees’ primary concern should be the safety of all
passengers, train crew members to chat with customers, identify points
of interest and offer to take photos or serve drinks to guests.
- No matter how entertaining the charter, some
guests will prove to be landlubbers. Stock the cabin with ginger tablets
and over-the-counter nausea-fighting medication, and direct passengers
to take care of seasickness business above deck.
- Not all passengers will be familiar with
charter Houseboat toilets, or “heads.” Take a few minutes to demonstrate how
to pump and flush the head while still docked. It’ll save you extra
grunt work down the line.
Warning
- Poor weather will sometimes dictate that
you cancel scheduled charters. Have cancellation policies in place so
that customers know what to expect when their charters are canceled.
Policies might include rain checks or refunds.
Boat House Rental Business, Houseboat Business, Houseboat Business to Make Money, Starting a Boat House Rental Business
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