digging for feedback. Adventure RIB Excursions. - Page 2

RyanPratt · 12 August 2015, 23:20

I will put a trip together for any one intrested just for fun weather i do this build or not. We can take the aluminum OTH im building! We can do for expenses just for fun!!

For the first 4 people who put their hat in the game. and bring a pint from the country they come from!

ncp · 13 August 2015, 16:26

Is San Diego a country? We do have a lot of good (and famous now) micro breweries here!

RyanPratt · 13 August 2015, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncp

Is San Diego a country? We do have a lot of good (and famous now) micro breweries here!

I would definitely say California is!

zip · 13 August 2015, 20:12

Represent!

RyanPratt · 14 August 2015, 02:44

Thats right, I love Cali!

dbrunes · 14 August 2015, 15:46

I'm in Ryan! Bringing my friend's homebrew... I promise it is actually really good!

I think it is a great idea. Not sure of pricing, but I'll do a little research about overnight planned tours to Catalina... out here. Seems like a similar setup (albeit a shorter crossing)

Are there any interesting stops on the crossing? Or is it a dead zone, so a straight shot? I think that big of a crossing does limit the audience a little bit.

I know that people sometimes complain about the hour and 15 crossing on the hydrofoil ferry to Cat which has bathrooms, cafes and is flat like a living room.

Landlubbers...

Poly · 14 August 2015, 18:10

Someone here once called me the "voice of reason"; I'll try to live up to that!

Your market for an adventure trip of 50-80 miles on a small open RIB is going to be limited. If you ask here you will get a very different view from asking the rest of the world. I guess you are looking at 2-2.5 hr trips in reasonable conditions. Most of that will be offshore with little to look at? In good weather that becomes pretty dull for anyone who's not helming/navigating. Obviously in "lively" weather it might be more interesting but you'll narrow the number of people willing to do the trip in those conditions.

Business is easiest with repeat customers, but I'm not sure you'll get too many regulars on a big expensive trip. If it is one of a range of business lines then it might be ok, as the main part of an operation I'd be surprised if the numbers stack up.

I'm aware Americans have a different adventure culture from over here but I do wonder how many people who can afford this trip would also accept the compromises on comfort that inevitably come with baggage restrictions, open boat crossings etc.

Whilst there are plenty of RIB operators in the UK, and even people doing bespoke charters etc there isn't really anyone running the sort of "adventure" trip you describe even in the Western Isles where there is plenty to see, competitive transport is poor. That might in part be due to the cost of fuel, the weather, the range of activities when you arrive, the popularity of "adventure", coding requirements (which would limit a 7m open boat to probably being no more than 20 miles from a safe haven) etc. BUT, I suspect it is because the reality is being driven in a RIB for a few hrs isn't actually a real adventure compared to the myriad of other things competing for your money.

John Kennett · 14 August 2015, 19:22

Ah, don't go and put him off! I've already started work on persuading the rest of the family that it would be a good idea

Bigtalljv · 14 August 2015, 20:16

there are definitely some hurdles to overcome but he's closer to the market and knowing what they want than we are. A plus is that in the USA we have "six-pack" (Uninspected Passenger Vessel) licenses. It's significantly less regulatory hoops for running a boat.

In a similar vein a buddy went to the gulf coast and went out spearfishing for wahoo. They took him in a big 40'-ish center console fishing boat with a couple giant outboards. He said it was a 2+hour run to the fishing grounds, he slept in their beanbags both ways.

I just did a google search and for a boat like that a day trip is $1700+fuel (150-200 gallons estimate so another $600-$800). If you fish 6 people that's like $400+/person

Jason

Poly · 14 August 2015, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Ah, don't go and put him off! I've already started work on persuading the rest of the family that it would be a good idea

Be cheaper if you go on your own ;-)

RyanPratt · 15 August 2015, 00:21

keep the feedback coming. I have ports i could leave out of and be looking at 1-1.5 hr crossing and once you get into the water of the Bahamas it is a dream crystal clear water and fishing, diving, snorkling and running flats that are just awesome.

cgoing · 15 August 2015, 17:32

Where do we leave from? 😁

Bigtalljv · 15 August 2015, 18:06

I can't get 200 miles south to go look for tuna, I don't think I'm going to make it 3000 miles. That sure looks nice though.....

RyanPratt · 15 August 2015, 20:39

Most likley Miami or FT. Lauderdale

dbrunes · 27 August 2015, 14:32

Can you get to the windward side for surf in decent amount of time?

RyanPratt · 27 August 2015, 14:43

Not from state side have to cross the bank which is a hike.

Todd Grimley · 27 August 2015, 20:45

Was in NYC last month and did a great site seeing trip on 7m willards, up the Hudson, statue of lib, Brooklyn Bridge a fair bit more! A bit over an hour, all for $85usd. Not bad value I thought! It's not for everyone, but I'd take a rib, over been stuck on a overcrowded giant hard boat any day,! So would most of my mates.

nymediaboat.com

ncp · 29 August 2015, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Grimley

Was in NYC last month and did a great site seeing trip on 7m willards, up the Hudson, statue of lib, Brooklyn Bridge a fair bit more! A bit over an hour, all for $85usd. Not bad value I thought! It's not for everyone, but I'd take a rib, over been stuck on a overcrowded giant hard boat any day,! So would most of my mates.

nymediaboat.com

I believe that he's bought those two refurbished Willards from Todd/Warefarerib.

prairie tuber · 29 August 2015, 02:07

It will be a bit of a niche market or a few niche markets, but if you can accurately identify and target them, I think it could float. Definitely for active adventure seekers rather than the sedentary cruise line buffet crowd.

If you can identify and market yourself to the local business who would receive the maximum benefit from the type of clientele you'd be delivering to them, they might be good sponsors to offset some expenses.

Todd Grimley · 29 August 2015, 05:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncp

I believe that he's bought those two refurbished Willards from Todd/Warefarerib.

They had recently bought an outboard H733. It was on this site for sale not long ago and painted blue and grey camouflage.