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Old 17-10-2013, 21:53   #1
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Live aboard charter/tour boat?

Hi. What would be the pros/cons of operating a snorkel/tour catararam that you lived on? In "my head" it seems like the ideal way to live in the Caribbean or Hawaii. Granted there is lots of competition but I would have the boat paid for when I purchase it.

Thanks

Jason
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Old 17-10-2013, 22:20   #2
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Re: Live aboard charter/tour boat?

I think you should do it.
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Old 17-10-2013, 22:22   #3
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Hi. What would be the pros/cons of operating a snorkel/tour catararam that you lived on? In "my head" it seems like the ideal way to live in the Caribbean or Hawaii. Granted there is lots of competition but I would have the boat paid for when I purchase it. Thanks Jason
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Old 18-10-2013, 00:11   #4
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Re: Live aboard charter/tour boat?

If it's to be a commercial venture make sure you have a first class business plan.

Do you like to clean? Are you a good cook? Can you handle drunks?

Have you been on any of the boats doing similar charters?
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Old 18-10-2013, 00:33   #5
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Re: Live aboard charter/tour boat?

How are you with other people's kids? Spoiled ones especially.
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Old 18-10-2013, 02:42   #6
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Re: Live aboard charter/tour boat?

there is a big gap in the market for gay nudist cruises............
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Old 18-10-2013, 04:07   #7
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Re: Live aboard charter/tour boat?

The first thing I think about is what others have alluded to: People will not respect your boat. Or your home, in this case. They'll come clonking aboard with their giant sneakers with sand in the treads and ................
Well, you get the picture!
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Old 18-10-2013, 05:03   #8
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Re: Live aboard charter/tour boat?

While it is a great dream...make sure you tackle it like any other business startup....

1. Look at what commercial licenses you will need for yourself and the boat.
2. Look at the costs of insurance, maintenance, docking fees, equipment costs, taxes, etc.
3. Make sure that after your startup costs and advertising costs you have enough money to live off of and pay the bills for about two to three years before you have to make the business pay for itself and your salary. Not enough money up front to get through the time it takes to make your business well known and profitable is why most businesses fail.
4. Make sure you really enjoy dealing with the public....this is also a big one.

If at all possible I would suggest taking a job on a dive or fishing boat to see what it is really like and possibly see if you could purchase an existing business.
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Old 18-10-2013, 07:06   #9
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Re: Live aboard charter/tour boat?

These are all great comments. If I did this venture it would be 2-4 years from now. I know I'm not getting younger but if I did it I want it to be right.

Atoll, I'm sure there is a big market. You try it first and I'll follow your lead.
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Old 18-10-2013, 07:34   #10
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Re: Live aboard charter/tour boat?

Making your home a place of business is very risky. Casual trips like sunset sails, snorkeling/diving trips and such would be easier to handle. Full time doing it, liability insurance coverage will be out of this world. Work permits, outside US territories, are extremely difficult to get. Commercial ventures on foreign soil...don't even think about it, if you're not already established.

Part time business to supplement your fixed income, would probably be OK; still you'll need licenses/permits/insurance. You'll also need to file as a LLC company, to protect your private assets, just in case your boat veers to the moon on its own. Good luck!

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Old 18-10-2013, 07:46   #11
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Re: Live aboard charter/tour boat?

Just like getting paid for sex, what's not to like?
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Old 18-10-2013, 18:26   #12
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Making your home a place of business is very risky. Casual trips like sunset sails, snorkeling/diving trips and such would be easier to handle. Full time doing it, liability insurance coverage will be out of this world. Work permits, outside US territories, are extremely difficult to get. Commercial ventures on foreign soil...don't even think about it, if you're not already established.

Part time business to supplement your fixed income, would probably be OK; still you'll need licenses/permits/insurance. You'll also need to file as a LLC company, to protect your private assets, just in case your boat veers to the moon on its own. Good luck!

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Just make sure that LLC is valid in the country you screw up in. A US LLC will only be good in US court.
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Old 18-10-2013, 19:08   #13
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Re: Live aboard charter/tour boat?

I would only operate in US waters. I'm Merican! A LLC isn't hard to open up. Just keep up to date all your expense and hand it over to an accountant. Just be smart about what you do and keep records. I've owned a business before albeit it I never operated out of my residence before. The only tricky aspect I can see is how to write certain things off on taxes. I'm all for doing the right thing and not cheating the government out of their money even though they need to learn how to manage theirs better. Like for example do I count my fuel, electric, dock fees, as a business expense even though i'm still using it for a personal expense? I'll talk to an accountant if this time comes.
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Old 18-10-2013, 19:44   #14
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Old 18-10-2013, 20:41   #15
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Also, there are lots of businesses that can be operated from your boat that don't involved bringing people aboard, e.g. consulting and such. Basically, anything that can be done online. Lot less headaches.
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