Caribbean Charter business

[richardcartieruk]

Hi all,

Has anyone done any Caribbean charters before as a business? Looking at buying a Cat voyage DC 45. Need some contacts if anyone has any leads would be great

Thanks

[Omatako]

Firstly let me say I know nix about the Caribbean so my response is probably wrong and a little cheeky.

Having said that, I know at least three island groups that have a given number of charter licenses and if you don't get one of them you will not be allowed to trade.

Other folks that I know had to buy the "license" as a going concern business with the boat and all the other baggage. They then sold the boat on and replaced it with a new one of their choice but it cost them a bucket full of money and made it real difficult for the business to be profitable.

YMMV

[richardcartieruk]

Hi Omatako,

I don't know why you would think it would be cheeky, you must know that it was to think that it was.

I just wanted to hear from anyone that has done this before and can steer me in the right direction. I have so much research that I am doing a profit and loss report so I need all the figures.

Thanks

Regards

Richard

[TQA]

Reality check time.

I am down in the Caribbean just now and one feature of many marinas is charter boats tied up and looking for customers.

This pic is of Road Town in the BVI at peak charter time and look at the forest of masts - these are all charter boats.

From Hoot Mon

[speciald]

In most places you will need to license he company and have a local work permit. The only way it could possibly work is to have connections with Hotels and cruise ships for short day trips and with a broker for long charters. Advertising by your self will be very expensive inorder to be productive. For comparison, I rent my Sint Maarten Codo. I pay ~1k/ year for internet adds; my manager takes 10% for accounting, cleaning, etc. I am in competition with all the other local renters the hotels.

[richardcartieruk]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your time, I know its hard all over thew world now. I am based in Uk and the whole country seems to have shut down. Maybe its best if I moor it in Marbella until things get better. If what you say is true and I can very much believe it as I am getting the same feed back from others- times are hard all over the world.

Thanks for your your feed back
Warm regards
Richard