I am kicking around the idea of branching out on my own and starting my own company.
Mainly centered around outboard boats. Repair, installation of electrical, electronics and so on. Not a mechanical repair and service but more of a rigging oriented company. From what I have seen and talked to people, there are not that many people around that specialize in rigging. So it may be a good nitch to try and fill.
I have been in the marine industry for a while now. Have done many rigging oriented jobs from small to quite large projects. I have done and headed up a good number of re-powers on sport fishing boats and lots of out board re-powers.
I can do the kind of work that someone would want to pay for. From just get it going to making it look as good as it can. I like to listen to the owner of a boat and try to work with them to give them the best possible job in the end. Something that they will really end up liking and feel like they were able to contribute to the end product.
So I guess I am looking for your thoughts on something like this. If you were to call me for something to be done on your boat, what kinds of jobs would you like done? What would you like to pay for an hourly rate? What ideas do you have for it?
Do you feel like this would really fill a needed spot out in the real world.?
I am looking for your thoughts on this because who knows, I may be the one helping you with your boat one day the customer is the one that helps make the company in my opinion.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Can you fix a RipTide Trolling motor, needs new shaft,brush assembly, and seals?
“TRITON TX-19 W/200 HPDI YAMAHA”
how about just cleaning up existing messy wiring?
Happy boatin’ y’all!!
With the trolling motor, you would probably be better off sending it back to the manufacture for repair. By the time you get an outside company to try and get the parts you need and then you add in the hourly rates on top of that, you would be half way to a new trolling motor. Besides, depending how old it is, it may be a warranty or recall item. I would at least call them and ask.
With the messing wiring, that is not a problem at all. That is a matter of what you would like to spend and what you would want the end result to look like. It could be just patched up but the best thing to do with old messing wiring in a boat is gut it and start fresh.
Does anybody have any ideas or thoughts on the need of certain services, cost or just any input at all?
Thanks again for your thoughts on it.
Would there really be that much work with people needing rigging to keep you busy? If you aren’t mobile, people aren’t going to drive across town to come see you. If you are mobile, I think you might have a nice niche. You would probably have plenty of clients who buy used motors off of craigslist and ebay.
Rigger1 I would be interested in getting a price from you to do some work on my boat as far as getting the wiring taken care of and other things electrical.I don’t have the time as stated before mobility is the key. Shoot me a PM so we can hookup need the work done.
Guess I should be a little more clear on what I am thinking about doing. When I say rigging, I am not just talking about hanging a motor and hooking it up. I am talking about doing things like installation and repair of just about everything in front of the motor.
De-rigging and re-rigging t-tops for new canvas.
Electrical repair.
Electronics installs.
Trolling motor, installs.
If you were to get somebody like Brooks to build you a top and you need it rigged out and installed.
Hydraulic steering installs.
Power Pole installs.
Stereos installs.
And so on…….
If you can think of it, I have probably installed it. I do not claim to know everything by any means and I am always looking to learn something new or a better way to do things. I have worked on a lot of boats and I am a little tired working for others. So I am just kicking around the idea of starting my own company and doing some of these sorts of jobs for people. That is why I am asking everyone here for their thoughts on this because you are the boat owners that would be calling on me for help. IF, I decide to pursue this. Right now I am in the homework stages of this.
As far as being mobile, I am not a big fan of doing mobile work because I have done it before and sometimes it can be a lot more costly to the customer. You never have everything you need and a lot of jobs will take more than one trip. BUT, I know mobile is probably what I will do if I start this. I can not bring a lot of boats home to be worked on but that would be the best thing for a customer that needed a lot of work. It would save time and intern save the customer money.
So please continue to give me your thoughts on this please. What do you really think? Let the thoughts come, good or bad, you won’t hurt my feelings.
First of all I think you’ve got a good idea. Second don’t ask how much people would like to pay. Crunch some number and decide what you will have to charge to amke the money that you want to make. If they can’t afford you, you can’t afford them. I think there is probably a need for your services, but don’t sell yourself short.
2008 Sea Fox 197 CC
2008 Suzuki 140
Well I was trying not to give up to much info right yet because my current employer is not real big on side work at all. I know a good number of people who spend a lot of time on this site so if you do know who I am, please keep this a little on the quiet side for now.
As far as experience goes,
I have been with my current dealership, a local out board dealer, for nine or ten years now. I think I have done just about everything that can be done to an outboard powered boat. I do very little motor work and would rather keep that to others that I know that are much better at it than I am. Worked for a local marine diesel repair company before that for a couple years. My main job with them was doing re-powers on sport fishing boats. I have also recently done most of a re-fit on what is now a very nice sport fisher. She is not complete but she is fishable.
That is enough info for the people who know me to know who I am and what I can and can’t do.
Like I said before, right now I am just doing homework on this to see if I even want to take it any farther as far as starting my own company and doing this on my own.
quote:
Originally posted by rigger1
If you were to get somebody like Brooks to build you a top and you need it rigged out and installed.
If I build a t-top, I also do the complete installation and rigging, wiring of lights etc. I would think that anyone that builds a top or poling platform or whatever, would also do the installation. Am I wrong in assuming that?
As far as mobile work, yes it can be more costly to the customer, but a lot of times well worth it for you to come to them vs the inconvenience of them coming to you.
I’m wanting to get a gas or propane welder/generator so I can do mobile work. A lot of folks are wanting it. Money’s just not there yet.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
I have installed a lot of tops that were built but not installed. Some people do install but others don’t. Brooks will mount a top that he builds. I just used him for an example.