Winnipesaukee Lake Tours - For Sale!

Old Hubbard Rd · 09-30-2005, 08:49 PM

If it was real successful I think it would not be for sale!!

Kamper · 10-02-2005, 07:47 AM

(IMO)

Not neccessarrily. People sometimes start a business that seems exciting but after a few years the long hours get to them and they want to recover their investment capital and move on. Sometimes they have a new adventure in mind and othertimes they retire.

In this case my impression is that the former water-taxi was not as profitable as expected since they started with (I think) 3 boats and I've heard they've downsized to just 1 or 2 for the tours business. It's possible though that the operators simply had trouble finding enough licensed captains for 3 boats for all the shifts they wanted to cover. They may also be anticipating that fuel costs will reduce their margins for next season and they are getting out of the market to avoid future risk.

If someone is buying an existing enterprise, it is a good idea to request the financial information first, expect to sign a confidentiality agreement. Sometimes it is better to buy the company's assets including the name and trademarks to make sure you dont get hit with liability for any debts or liabilities that havent't been filed prior to sale.

I expect there is a niche on the lake for this kind of business but probably not enough to provide a large "year 'round" income. If you have other seasonal enterprises the water business could be a valuable addition to your portfolio

09-30-2005, 08:49 PM	#1
Old Hubbard Rd Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 462 Thanks: 141 Thanked 54 Times in 33 Posts	Winni Taxi If it was real successful I think it would not be for sale!!

10-02-2005, 07:47 AM	#2
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,312 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	(IMO) Not neccessarrily. People sometimes start a business that seems exciting but after a few years the long hours get to them and they want to recover their investment capital and move on. Sometimes they have a new adventure in mind and othertimes they retire. In this case my impression is that the former water-taxi was not as profitable as expected since they started with (I think) 3 boats and I've heard they've downsized to just 1 or 2 for the tours business. It's possible though that the operators simply had trouble finding enough licensed captains for 3 boats for all the shifts they wanted to cover. They may also be anticipating that fuel costs will reduce their margins for next season and they are getting out of the market to avoid future risk. If someone is buying an existing enterprise, it is a good idea to request the financial information first, expect to sign a confidentiality agreement. Sometimes it is better to buy the company's assets including the name and trademarks to make sure you dont get hit with liability for any debts or liabilities that havent't been filed prior to sale. I expect there is a niche on the lake for this kind of business but probably not enough to provide a large "year 'round" income. If you have other seasonal enterprises the water business could be a valuable addition to your portfolio Last edited by Kamper; 10-02-2005 at 08:04 AM.