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How Do You Get It Done?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by NYCAP123, Apr 30, 2008.

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  1. clnewman, May 3, 2008
    #21
    clnewman

    clnewman New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Huntington Beach, CA
    NYCAP,

    Perhaps you're missing a potential business opportunity staring you in the face. I'm one of those owners that doesn't always have time to do it myself, and I don't have a captain/crew. I've looked around and talked to various yacht "managers", and haven't been impressed. Most of the ones I've found here are brokers that manage boats as a sideline.

    That said, I've been talking to my diesel mechanic, and we're putting together a business plan to form a full service yacht management company here in SoCal. Without boring everyone here with the details, it'll cater to not only the megayacht, but the 30' boat, too... all in differing service levels. Kind of like a Chinese Menu of services.

    Perhaps something like this is worthy of your consideration back east.
  2. yachtbrokerguy, May 3, 2008
    #22
    yachtbrokerguy

    yachtbrokerguy Guest

    One of the problems that many of these boats in the 40 to 60 foot range, is not really a lack of maintenance, but a lack of knowledge that maintenance is required.
    Many buyers have only had one or two small boats and then they move up. As they get into yachts with more systems, they do not have the experience to know what to do, and reading the owners manual is much too time consuming.
    Most boat yards in the US are so jammed in the spring, trying to get 75% of their work done in 25% of their time, they do only what the owners request, and the owner does not know what to request.
    Education of the owners is the key, but it is hard to reach them.

    Tucker Fallon CPYB
  3. NYCAP123, May 3, 2008
    #23
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Clnewman,
    Believe me, my eyes are always open to opportunity,but I've reached a point in my life where money isn't real important. I'd rather see people smile. Guess I'm just an old hippie or else I've got a pretty good life.
    You see, the problem is that those who would pay $100 or so per week for that service are, and those that aren't won't. I'm just trying to see people taken care of here, not start a new business. I've got all the work I can handle.
    I know that kills some of you young turks out there, but in time you'll learn that you'll spend everything you earn no matter how much that is , and the amount won't affect your happiness.
    Yachtbrokerguy,
    If only that were the case: 1st time boater- 44 Carver; 1st time boater- 44 Sunseeker; 1st time boater- 51 Bertram; 1st time boater- 60 Sunseeker, and that's just a small sampling of the people I've taught in recent years.:eek: Whatever happened to starting out with a 14 or 16 footer and learning?
  4. clnewman, May 3, 2008
    #24
    clnewman

    clnewman New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Huntington Beach, CA
    It's not just the money... it's fulfilling a need. Granted, the profit motive is there, but it's not first and foremost... at least not in my mind. If we do this startup I mentioned, I'll be happy if it breaks even or shows a small loss.

    I'd gladly pay $100 per "visit" (whatever frequency is desired/needed) to have somebody go through my boat, create a punch list of items that need attention, then present me with a list of contractors to fix the problems found, or have the "Manager" contract to have the work done, adding some profit at the end for taking on the responsibility/liability.

    Chuck
  5. NYCAP123, May 3, 2008
    #25
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Long Island, NY
    The problems I see with putting together such a business (at least around here) is that we're dealing with about 200 small marinas, each wanting a piece of anything that goes on in their yard, each afraid you'll be infringing on their territory (maintained boats don't require as many repairs, and don't dare pick up a screwdriver.). Then there's the million dollar liability policy and the worker's comp. and the personal liability when something invariably breaks anyway. Sorry to be a wet blanket, but the only way I see it happening is as part of the marina package in which case it will be handled half-assed, half the time by a bunch of different guys who don't know, don't care or don't have the time to do the piddly jobs. That's why I see it as part of a captain's job, part of a manager's job, a DIY job or giving the job to a kid for tip money. I think where a professional could come in is in developing an individual checklist.
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