Starting Island Service Business

steve c · 04-06-2016, 09:14 AM

The Winni taxi has been repowered, repainted and will be in service in Boston Harbor this summer

P-3 Guy · 04-06-2016, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve c

The Winni taxi has been repowered, repainted and will be in service in Boston Harbor this summer

Someone should let the new operators know that the service won't last long because with that battering ram on the bow it will likely be a VERY WET ride out on Boston Harbor, and the weight on the bow will add a great deal to the "Pitching" moment of the boat ..making people seasick.

greeleyhill · 04-06-2016, 09:05 PM

With such a wide variety of services you would be offering, that alone could be what differentiates you from your competition. It could also be good project for you and your son to work on together as a team. It won't be easy though. As with any small business, it's going to take time, hard work and preparedness. When we were looking for a property on the lake, we considered island properties but what turned us off was all the things your company could provide (Groceries, taxi service for visitors, trash pickup etc.) I say go for it - good luck to you!

Seaplane Pilot · 04-07-2016, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMI Guy

Someone should let the new operators know that the service won't last long because with that battering ram on the bow it will likely be a VERY WET ride out on Boston Harbor, and the weight on the bow will add a great deal to the "Pitching" moment of the boat ..making people seasick.

Boston Harbor Cruises is the new owner of this vessel. Considering that they have been around for almost 100 years, and that they operate dozens of vessels in Boston Harbor and other areas, I suspect that will have no issues with making people seasick in this boat. They probably have forgotten more about vessel operation than anyone on this forum will ever know in a lifetime. Just another tidbit of info: one of the owners of BHC also has a house on Winni.

http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/about/

P-3 Guy · 04-07-2016, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

Boston Harbor Cruises is the new owner of this vessel. Considering that they have been around for almost 100 years, and that they operate dozens of vessels in Boston Harbor and other areas, I suspect that will have no issues with making people seasick in this boat. They probably have forgotten more about vessel operation than anyone on this forum will ever know in a lifetime. Just another tidbit of info: one of the owners of BHC also has a house on Winni.

http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/about/

Thanks. My post was a tongue-in-cheek reference to post #9 in this thread. I guess it was a little too subtle.

Newbiesaukee · 04-07-2016, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMI Guy

Thanks. My post was a tongue-in-cheek reference to post #9 in this thread. I guess it was a little too subtle.

"Internet subtlety" is an oxymoron.

thinkxingu · 04-07-2016, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbiesaukee

"Internet subtlety" is an oxymoron.

Who you calling a moron?!

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

Descant · 04-07-2016, 02:30 PM

The Winni Water Taxi was built by Eastern (their 31' hull) specifically for the purpose. The "ram" didn't weigh much, but it allowed them to power up to a dock and hold steady while people on/off loaded, keeping the prop in deeper water.
We used them to shuttle a large group from Meredith to our island camp, which faces the broads. Their capacity was about 30, including crew. The ride was not wet and nobody got sick. Great service, but not sustainable. They also did Saturday night bar hop cruises, but that's only one night per week.

Like most summer businesses on the lake, it is very difficult to support yourself when the business is focused on weekends.

Descant · 04-07-2016, 03:28 PM

A personal frustration on this site is that people post "on Winni" as if that is a small geographic area.

Where on Winni do you want to do this business? Different islands (island groups) have different needs. If you're in the Varney's you can go to Wolfeboro and walk to the grocery store. If you're in the Forties, you boat to Glendale and then get in your car to go to a grocery. More or less need for that service.

Not clear if you and your son are the only employees. Is this just a summer job while the son is in school and you'll be gone when he graduates?

It appears that Island Services (Meredith) and Island Support Services (Gilford) are both successful. I don't know who handles Wolfeboro, Moultonborough islands. I'd call them and ask what services they get requests for that they don't offer in their business model, or geographically where they don't operate. They may be a source of referrals, or other business ideas for whatever gaps there may be.

I loved it when some island kids used to deliver Sunday papers and bring fresh Dunkin Donuts. Premium price + tip. A 60 minute trip for me (boat and car for Dunkin' Donuts), especially nice on rainy days. Then the kids grew up. Not a way to make a living, but an example of somebody looking at the local needs and filling a gap.

Trash: some decades back, we had trash pick up. Before there were adequate dumpsters at marinas and Glendale. Too many times, the raccoons
distributed the trash before the collection service could get to it. Now, a little bit goes whenever we go. Gilford offers one "dump day" per year for large items, late July. If I buy a new stove in May, the old one sits around for many weeks waiting for "dump day". I'd love to get rid of that stuff early in the season, but it certainly isn't every year.

Summary, Where? When? Timelined? You need sales in May/June, September/October and mid week, perhaps when the owner isn't there. And you need repeat activities that will take time to build.

04-06-2016, 09:14 AM	#1
steve c Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cow Isl Posts: 46 Thanks: 84 Thanked 40 Times in 14 Posts	The Winni taxi has been repowered, repainted and will be in service in Boston Harbor this summer Attached Images

04-06-2016, 09:05 PM	#3
greeleyhill Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 94 Thanks: 57 Thanked 22 Times in 11 Posts	I like the idea and admire your willingness to try it out! With such a wide variety of services you would be offering, that alone could be what differentiates you from your competition. It could also be good project for you and your son to work on together as a team. It won't be easy though. As with any small business, it's going to take time, hard work and preparedness. When we were looking for a property on the lake, we considered island properties but what turned us off was all the things your company could provide (Groceries, taxi service for visitors, trash pickup etc.) I say go for it - good luck to you!

04-07-2016, 02:30 PM	#8
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,462 Thanks: 1,378 Thanked 1,659 Times in 1,084 Posts	Water Taxi The Winni Water Taxi was built by Eastern (their 31' hull) specifically for the purpose. The "ram" didn't weigh much, but it allowed them to power up to a dock and hold steady while people on/off loaded, keeping the prop in deeper water. We used them to shuttle a large group from Meredith to our island camp, which faces the broads. Their capacity was about 30, including crew. The ride was not wet and nobody got sick. Great service, but not sustainable. They also did Saturday night bar hop cruises, but that's only one night per week. Like most summer businesses on the lake, it is very difficult to support yourself when the business is focused on weekends.

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Seaplane Pilot For This Useful Post:
KPW (04-07-2016), Outdoorsman (04-07-2016), steve c (04-07-2016)

04-07-2016, 03:28 PM	#9
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,462 Thanks: 1,378 Thanked 1,659 Times in 1,084 Posts	Where are you? A personal frustration on this site is that people post "on Winni" as if that is a small geographic area. Where on Winni do you want to do this business? Different islands (island groups) have different needs. If you're in the Varney's you can go to Wolfeboro and walk to the grocery store. If you're in the Forties, you boat to Glendale and then get in your car to go to a grocery. More or less need for that service. Not clear if you and your son are the only employees. Is this just a summer job while the son is in school and you'll be gone when he graduates? It appears that Island Services (Meredith) and Island Support Services (Gilford) are both successful. I don't know who handles Wolfeboro, Moultonborough islands. I'd call them and ask what services they get requests for that they don't offer in their business model, or geographically where they don't operate. They may be a source of referrals, or other business ideas for whatever gaps there may be. I loved it when some island kids used to deliver Sunday papers and bring fresh Dunkin Donuts. Premium price + tip. A 60 minute trip for me (boat and car for Dunkin' Donuts), especially nice on rainy days. Then the kids grew up. Not a way to make a living, but an example of somebody looking at the local needs and filling a gap. Trash: some decades back, we had trash pick up. Before there were adequate dumpsters at marinas and Glendale. Too many times, the raccoons distributed the trash before the collection service could get to it. Now, a little bit goes whenever we go. Gilford offers one "dump day" per year for large items, late July. If I buy a new stove in May, the old one sits around for many weeks waiting for "dump day". I'd love to get rid of that stuff early in the season, but it certainly isn't every year. Summary, Where? When? Timelined? You need sales in May/June, September/October and mid week, perhaps when the owner isn't there. And you need repeat activities that will take time to build.