When people think of the luxury lifestyle, one of the first things they’re going to think of is enjoying time out at sea on a yacht, exploring, eating, and having a good time. It’s not all private yachts, either. There are services who provide that experience. There’s plenty of room amongst those services for someone who loves nothing more than getting out on the sea. If you have a boat and you want to create a business and lifestyle using it, consider starting a boat or yacht charter business.
Find your purpose
When starting a boat charter business, the first thing to decide is what services exactly you’re looking to provide. There are a lot of different options and not all of them fit well together, but they’re not all mutually exclusive, too. A leisure ship can offer a venue for parties and get-togethers. Or you might take people on tours of wildlife and local landmarks. Finding a niche you’re specifically good at catering to is a good idea.
Get trained
If you’re not fully trained, then now is the time to correct that. You might already know how to sail and navigate, but having the paperwork to certify you can give your customers the extra assurance they need to go with you. It’s also important to make sure you’re trained not only in your own safety but those of your passengers. Look into courses from places like Bluewater Sailing to give your experience the polish it needs.
Get your paperwork in order
Besides the certifications for your training, you’re also going to have to consider any permits and licenses. You’ll need these to legally operate as a business on the waters. This may require a bit of a research. For instance, if your business accepts four or more passengers, you might need a For-Hire Vessel Operator’s license from your state. If you’re leaving state boundaries, then you might have to look into federal permits as well.
Get your ship kitted out
We’re going to assume that you already know how to outfit your vessel for your own personal purposes. When it comes to running a commercial business on it, you have to consider your the needs of the passengers. As well as the rights of any employees you take on board. Commercial providers like Martek Marine are worth checking out for crew welfare equipment.
Keeping it fun and profitable
Before you jump in, you need to figure out whether the business is right for you. It’s not just about running a ship. You have to be able to provide hospitality and good service to all kinds of people. If you’re willing to spend your time at sea cruising for others, it might mean sacrificing your own hobby time, as well. You have to treat the boat like a business, meaning extra effort for cleaning, presentation, and safety is vital. Make sure you’re ready to take the plunge and that you’re driven by passion, not just profit.
There’s plenty of work to be done, but if you enjoy it, it only adds to the fun of getting out on the ocean. Maybe it’s time to don the captain’s hat and start a job on the high seas?