Boat Rental???

[joaquin12345]

These are the types of things you come up with when you work nights and are bored after 3am. Anyways have been throwing around some ideas in my head as to how to make money out of having my boat. I love the thing and doesnt really matter if i make money or not as to whether i keep it, but at the same time wouldnt it be nice.
My question to you forum people is, Has anyone actually tried to do the boat rental thing. If so what is your story on this topic and would you recommend it. Im a nurse that works 3-4 days a week so i always have time off to take my boat out, problem is nobody else seems to have my kind of schedule. I have seen in bigger lakes were people post adds on craigslist that they will take people out and basically drive them around all day for a fee, and i have seen others that actually will rent there boat out.
I know you can get into the whole business thing, license, fees insurance and all that, but thats not what im asking Just pretty much has anyone tried it as a small xtra money maker?? I have even thought about maybe advertising to a few people and trying to see about getting a group of people that would pay lets say $250 a month and then they would have to reserve the boat on certain dates to use it but they wouldnt have to worry about insurance, storage, maintenance, all that stuff we boat owners just love. Anyways just throwing out ideas

[TRD]

If you are asking if I would let someone else take my boat out w/out me being on it. NO WAY. Have you ever rented a car? Think about it. I would sell the boat before I would do that. Sorry.
just my

[dingleberry]

Even IF you are willing to let others either use your boat or require that you are the driver/captain for all outings - have you checked into insurance? I would think that insurance rates would be greatly increased if you are using the boat commercially. And you definitely want to be properly insured for anything like this.

[bfrank]

Does the term "drive it like you stole it" say enough?

[jbort]

Based on your description sounds like u would skipper which is only plausible way otherwise the boat is trash after 3 trips but here goes. Likely not worth the hassle for a few bucks. Insurance will nail ya. Most people that would go out are gonna be jerks = no fun and they will hurt the boat/you via stupidity or accident. Damage sucks and will cost way more than rental income. If u go without insurance and some dumbass sues which is real likely u r hosed. my 2 cents.

[Domsz06]

I think you could do it. But it would be hard. I mean you would want to screen the potential clients and what not.

On a side note why don't you see what it would be to get insurance and then offer free rides to people who want to wakeboard? I know in College there was TONS of people who wanted to always go out and be pulled all day long. Problem is they never wanted to chip in. so I quit inviting them. Then there were others that paid me for pulls. They came all the time and were always willing to chip in more then I ever used. I kinda knew them so little different then your thinking. Like others said make sure you get the correct insurance. What about a waiver, they sign... IDK. Could be done, but like others have said maybe not worth the hassle.

[lightning59]

Add in the cost of getting your Coast Guard license to haul people for hire(maximum 6) into everything else that has been said......

[Domsz06]

Add in the cost of getting your Coast Guard license to haul people for hire(maximum 6) into everything else that has been said......

On a lake you have to have a liscense? never heard of such a thing.

[Ewok]

I have a friend that had two MC X-2s that he rented with and without his services as a driver. I'll send him a text and see if he can give you some advice. I know the boats held up well but he moved and sold them. I know he didn't make any money doing it either, but we were in a relatively poor border town too.

[yllw20]

get on your local wakeboard website...post up on your need a pull and have people go out w/you. I was like dom and had a good group that was able to do weekday rides and they always pitched in gas or beverages or such and would help wipe the boat down after the use. It allowed me to go during the week when the lake was empty. I also had some who just met up during a long lunch, which allowed me to use the boat. In that group you should have someone else be able to drive while you get a chance to board/surf or skate.

[lightning59]

Dom, On Table Rock, even Bass fishing guides require the"Six Pack" Capt. license to be legal. Other lakes in different states may differ. Liability is HUGE!

[talltigeguy]

Does the term "drive it like you stole it" say enough?

I think you mean ' Drive it like a rental' , but I get the idea.

I am a little liability overconscious, but that would concern me a lot too. Most people, even friends, say they would never sue you, but rack up 10K+ in hospital bills and they often change their tune. And a simple ACL injury can run that much, let alone if someone seriously cracks their noggin.

I think liability wavers do little to protect a person once they claim it was your negligence that caused the injury (you were driving too fast, you did not adequately train the operator how to drive, etc.).

[bfrank]

I think you mean ' Drive it like a rental' , but I get the idea.

I am a little liability overconscious, but that would concern me a lot too. Most people, even friends, say they would never sue you, but rack up 10K+ in hospital bills and they often change their tune. And a simple ACL injury can run that much, let alone if someone seriously cracks their noggin.

I think liability wavers do little to protect a person once they claim it was your negligence that caused the injury (you were driving too fast, you did not adequately train the operator how to drive, etc.).

Yea every rental I have ever had has been put through the paces!! And I did mean drive it like you stole it!!

[joaquin12345]

yllw20

yllw20 you have a good point. pretty much my whole idea was how to get out on the lake more often. Never thought about simply posting some kind of add and getting a group that would always wanna go. Chipping in would definately help and in the end i would always get to be on the water. You have to understand that for some reason ive had bad luck about getting to go. I used to live in hobbs nm 2hrs away from closests lake anyways always tried to get people to go, i even payed for everthing, food, gas, boat, drinks and would have people say they would go then back out. kinda got discouraged cause its a really good time, anyways have recently moved to lubbock texas and have 2 close by lakes 15miles and 45miles away. it has a university and a few small colleges and i work in a er with 300 employees and young people that love to go out so i will be able to find more people

[talltigeguy]

yllw20 you have a good point. pretty much my whole idea was how to get out on the lake more often. Never thought about simply posting some kind of add and getting a group that would always wanna go. Chipping in would definately help and in the end i would always get to be on the water. You have to understand that for some reason ive had bad luck about getting to go. I used to live in hobbs nm 2hrs away from closests lake anyways always tried to get people to go, i even payed for everthing, food, gas, boat, drinks and would have people say they would go then back out. kinda got discouraged cause its a really good time, anyways have recently moved to lubbock texas and have 2 close by lakes 15miles and 45miles away. it has a university and a few small colleges and i work in a er with 300 employees and young people that love to go out so i will be able to find more people

I am sort of an old guy, but I found a 21 year old guy to go with this summer and he was always down for a ride. He occasionally chipped in for gas, but not near as much as he used. But he cleaned the boat well, was a good driver and was fun to be around. So looking for a riding buddy like that is the best idea.

Now that his father in law bought a boat he has access to all the time, he never calls me. Honestly, I am OK with that. We are friends, but in different worlds, me with my kids and sorry wakeboarding, whereas this guy was nearly pro level, and newlywed. We helped each other out to get on the water more, and we both got what we wanted.