Renting boats and jetskis

[harpercollins 394]

I've been trying to rent some watercraft to use on Lake Nacogdoches, and evidently no one is doing that there now (though i vaguely remember someone doing that when I was in high school). Since my parents live on the lake, I'm wondering if it'd be easy to buy a boat and rent it out on the weekends we aren't there.  Anyone done anything like that before?  I assumed the insurance is cost-prohibitive and that's why no one does it, but there's plenty of rentals on other lakes so maybe just an untapped market?

Talk me out of it.

Edited July 21, 2020 by harpercollins

[CooterBrown 18032]

If you’re not there, who’s going to do check ins/outs, service the boat, refuel, etc?

[harpercollins 394]

https://www.boats.com/resources/peer-to-peer-boat-rentals-a-brave-new-world/

this article on vrbo for boats is the one that got me wondering

[harpercollins 394]

1 minute ago, CooterBrown said:

If you’re not there, who’s going to do check ins/outs, service the boat, refuel, etc?

my parents or siblings.  would probably be a family biz.

[Updawg 2286]

Might work if it’s a bass boat

[LebongJames 1815]

We have rented our RV on Outdoorsy. I was nervous to let people pull it but overall everyone treated it nicely.

With a boat there are a lot of issues. I see people returning boats to our marina that should not be driving a boat. 
 

Is Lake Nacogdoches easy to navigate or do you need to know where trees and low areas are? If it’s not super deep I would be really hesitant.

[harpercollins 394]

it's high right now, so no danger of hitting trees. you do need to know where the trees are during a drought.

[harpercollins 394]

there's no marina, so i guess it would be a pain to pull it in and out of the water to refuel and store.

[Randolph Duke 4034]

I would think the cost of insurance for both the hull and your personal liability from suits brought by a renter would offset too much rental income to make it worth the effort.

[Reagan1k 3024]

If you want to see how your customers will fare operating your boat and how your boat will be used, follow The Qualified Captain on Instagram.

 

[Nice Guy Eddie 13528]

I would ask yourself or your family if they would be willing to take a job with another boat owner helping to rent out their boat. Dealing with the public, issues, etc. all for a relatively low wage. And they have to work hard when everyone else is enjoying themselves. 

I would also try to find out more about the success of these businesses on other lakes. Just because they're in business, it doesn't mean they're succeeding. Many small business owners make nothing or are barely getting by. Or perhaps they're printing money.

[Reagan1k 3024]

Your business adventures would be a great idea for a TV series - get in bed with the cartel, then build what appears to be a much needed marina/boat rental outlet to wash their money.  Follow that up with a hotel and casino after you get active in state politics.  Hire some street smart local cons to help your family run it.  

 

 

[Lat22 4018]

Bad idea. Boats don’t have brakes. 

[ROFL BOX 6649]

For somewhere like Lake Travis, is there a preferred Shag² vendor to rent from or should I just say "fuckit, I'm going to call "Just For Fun" & that's that."?

I am thinking Lake Austin or anywhere else on the Highland Chain doesn't have rentals?

Looking for a boat, not 'ski, family style.

Pontoon, whatevs.

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[CooterBrown 18032]

I’ve done Just For Fun once a month this summer. It’s easy enough. $390 for a half day with the added tube rental and damage waiver. Skis are included. We go on a Tuesday midday and usually there’s maybe a half dozen boats on the water.

[ROFL BOX 6649]

This would have to be a weekend; wife has a Monday - Friday work schedule.  I'm thinking to go after that for my birthday... due to Leap Year, I finally get a weekend day on the 29th!

 

Outside of Cooter, do any of y'all have suggestions or experiences?  In looking @ the prices for J.F.F., a Pontoon would probably be sufficient provided it's strong enough to pull 2 people on a toob.

 

[Horns99 166]

Most all the marinas rent boats out here. What part of the lake do you want to out on? JFF, Volente are more down by the damn, Lakeway rents everything (I think closer to you), & Briarcliff also rents, so take your pick. Yeah, pontoon is probably fine, as long as you don’t want to pull those tubes fast.


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[ROFL BOX 6649]

Every rental I saw on CraigsList is gonna require their driver / captain.  Was hoping to avoid that hassle.

The closer to Highway 71 / Bee Cave, the less driving we'll need to do.

Got a name / phone # for me?

[Parliament 14334]

Someone post the meme of the cat saying, "I should buy a boat."

[ROFL BOX 6649]

[HornReject 121]

Why rent that shit unless your a poser, just buy that shit like real man

[ROFL BOX 6649]

• Because my time / availability to actually go OUT on a boat would probably be less than 3x per year.  Why waste the $$ on a boat when I can continue to waste it on my horses?

[Sbbruin 21898]

Just need to add the hoes and you in bidness.