Quote:
Originally Posted by Jwmarineuk
Hello I was wondering if anyone knows what the legalities are of renting my rib out for day charters with or without skipper are?
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We were looking for a another way to bring in some income when the economy and boat sales slowed. We decided to get into Rib hire which also kept some of the customers who could no longer justify the cost of boating on board.
It seemed rib charter round the Solent offered top quality Ribs but at a high price with 3 k excess and deposit. To me this would spoil my day as I would worry about the kids touching anything.
Most of our clients just want to hit the beach ,chase an optimist and have dinner at the Folly.
We bought 6 serviceable 5 -6.5 m Ribs and last year was our first full season. The boats are older but well maintained.
Insurance was around £350 per boat on top of our main company cover,£500 excess on each. As standard the area we allow is Wightcliff to Needles.
The boats have a simple safety kit on board. RYA PB2 or equivalent required ,over 21 yrs. Due to the cost of fuel we decided the max HP to be 115hp which made usage manageable especially round Bembridge where we have no on water fueling. The boats come with moorings in Bembridge or Seaview with SVYC sea taxi included. They can be moored else where at your expense.
We have a 5.5 Humber £80 per day.6m Humber £90 per day then 4 x 6-6.5 m Ribs £130 per day all plus fuel.
The operation works because we own a yard and can back them up and store them etc at minimal cost. They were all out around 7 weeks July and August. We had a blown gearbox, one prop and small hole in a tube in total.
If you are thinking of going into hire you need to decide how much you love your Rib. The expense of setting it up as a one off especially if you are outside the solent, where you will have to code it means the Rib then needs to be out quite a bit to cover costs. It will get damage.
Hope this helps.
