12 Passenger Charter RIB

[simon-moore]

Hi,

I am thinking of purchasing an 8m+ RIB which can carry 12 passengers plus 2 crew. This might be for private use initially but then coded for comercial use.

My question is:

Is there actually a vibrant market for a skippered or bareboat RIB of this size/type?

Thanks

Simon

[chewy]

Depends where you operate it, how much you charge etc...

[GJ0KYZ]

It would certainly depend on where you operate from. Two tourist ribbing companies have recently been sold here in the Channel Islands.

[Rogue Wave]

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...unn+bradstreet

What sort of Master Mariner are you? Does your Area of employment offer any oportunities. i.e I would imagine a master of a crane barge would have more opprtunity for working a rib than the master of a box boat

[simon-moore]

Thanks for the advice thus far.

[tim griffin]

I see you are based in Kent a chap who used to post on here run a firm called new horizons or something like that from Ramsgate .

Not sure if he is still going ? 250 knots who post on here has just started up in Poole so good to talk to C2 ribs also posts on here and he runs a charter rib company , also a young lad called Tim M posts on here and he works for a rib charter company so maybe talk to them.

As others have said depends on where you want to do it , and what is on offer fast ride or sight seeing what are the visitor numbers to you area what precentage would be interested in some type of experience.
Short seasons in the charter game but more of a lifestyle than get rich quick game .
Cheers
Tim

[C2 RIBS]

Originally Posted by simon-moore

My question is:

Is there actually a vibrant market for a skippered or bareboat RIB of this size/type?

Thanks

Simon

Simon. Tim Griffin has stated we operate based around larger ribs for charter with helm. We operate predominately in the Solent which has a high demand for RIBs but it also has a very high number of operators. 250 set up in Poole based more around what you have listed with a larger 12 seat? and two crew and offers RIB rides out to heritage sites and has time runs out whereas I tend to run with clients wanting to watch an event, sight seeing or special events along with treasure hunts.
Not knowing your area that well it will depend on what can be offered/demand for type of operation.
Bare boat is offered by some operators but with heavy overheads. As for vibrant that is a good question, the area of operations and also I would suggest others doing the same may dictate this.

If you are wishing to offer larger party groups you would need to have access to more craft and preferably of the same make/look/power etc which sometimes might dictate what craft you buy/use.
You are welcome to pm me details/questions and I think Tim nailed it with a way of life and never get rich until you add/diversify what else you offer.

[simon-moore]

Tim/Ian many thanks for your replies.

Could anyone please advise the approximate bareboat charter rates for a 10 metre 12 seat RIB. This is for the boat only and does not include skipper of fuel.

Thanks in advance and a Happy New Year to you all.

[Steve_B]

Be very careful if you are even thinking of bareboat charter, think about how most people treat a hire car!

An 8m tib with 14 on it, will be snug and the seating positioning will be critical. From my short experience with Joe Public, I would always want to be able to see what they are doing and therefore have the helm at the stern.

If it is a start up business and in a "new" area, do lots and lots of market research and then do some more. Your biggest threat is the "rose tinted" glasses! Then decide on your target market, anywhere from the stack em high, sell em cheap - to the high spec, very personalised service. The ever increasing cost of fuel must be considered, but if you are operating commercially you can claim the duty & VAT back.

If and when you start up, have at least 30% of your estimated start up costs available in the bank, as cash flow mid way into the first season could be be a killer. You will be paying out up front and there will be a time lag in the refund of duty/VAT.
Good luck
Steve

[Onboard]

Originally Posted by simon-moore

Hi,

I am thinking of purchasing an 8m+ RIB which can carry 12 passengers plus 2 crew. This might be for private use initially but then coded for comercial use.

My question is:

Is there actually a vibrant market for a skippered or bareboat RIB of this size/type?

Thanks

Simon

Hi Simon

Having recently been exactly 'where you are now' I have a few thoughts that may be of assistance to you and not least, a few experiences with different manufacturers. If you'd like to PM me with an email add' or contact, I'd be very happy to share a few lines ...

Kevin

www.powerboatsandyachts.com

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Kevin Redbond

Hi Simon

Having recently been exactly 'where you are now' I have a few thoughts that may be of assistance to you and not least, a few experiences with different manufacturers. If you'd like to PM me with an email add' or contact, I'd be very happy to share a few lines ...

Kevin

www.powerboatsandyachts.com

Hi Kevin, why not share a few lines here? It could be a help for others thinking of the same line of business.

[Zubenelgenubi]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...unn+bradstreet

What sort of Master Mariner are you?

There is only one type of Master Mariner.

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Zubenelgenubi

There is only one type of Master Mariner.

Exactly! and it's a pub in the Brighton Cruising area where JK may often be found!

My point was that as a Master Mariner, then if he's in command of say a Jackup Barge or Survey Vessell which is on long term contracts to windfarms, he will be involved with windfarm project very early on and can maybe create a charter oportunity, which would be extremely lucrative.

If, however he's tramping round the World on a Box boat, Car carrier, Tanker or a Reefer then he won't have an opportunity to get his boat on to the Project he is working on

Also if he is month on and month off he can only work the boat for three months of the season unless he goes down the precarious route of Bareboat
charter or has a very trusted buddy to work it for him.

I guess the question I should have asked is in what area of the Marine Industry do you ply your trade and does it offer any possibilty of a bit of insider trading !

[Terence]

I skipper 11m Humbers with 12 +2 commercially, some of you on here know where and from my experience thats even quite snug at times.

In my experience definately having the helm behind your customers is the best scenario, I have used other boats with an aft spare thwart and its tricky keeping an eye out for all your customers.

A smaller boat with less passengers could be trailered giving you more flexibility on launching and where to operate from.

just my thoughts

[Onboard]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Hi Kevin, why not share a few lines here? It could be a help for others thinking of the same line of business.

Well Andy - I thought it was you I was replying too ..... :-)

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Terence

I skipper 11m Humbers with 12 +2 commercially, some of you on here know where and from my experience thats even quite snug at times.

In my experience definately having the helm behind your customers is the best scenario, I have used other boats with an aft spare thwart and its tricky keeping an eye out for all your customers.

just my thoughts

Terence, that is exactly how we make them and we also position the crew on a raised platform so they are looking over the heads of the passengers having a clear view of the sea conditions ahead and keeping an eye on the passengers at the same time.

you should try ours next time you come to upgrade

[Trailer Bloke]

Originally Posted by Kevin Redbond

Well Andy - I thought it was you I was replying too ..... :-)

Kevin

Dont give away any trade secrets!

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Kevin Redbond

Well Andy - I thought it was you I was replying too ..... :-)

You were replying to Simon-Moore (you quoted his post in your reply) not me. I was just suggesting that any tips on starting a new venture should be aired in public to help everyone.

[Onboard]

Originally Posted by Trailer Bloke

Kevin

Dont give away any trade secrets!

Oh.... how we laughed ...

Ian would be chipping in (if only his broadband was working .... ! K