Guaging Interest for LOTO Rentals: House, Slip, Boat
#1
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Hudson, IL
I've been working on this on this rental opportunity for a while and thought I'd explore opening it up to the community.
Location: 27.5MM Close to Millers Landing
Accommodations: The house is a 2bd, one bath, lots of parking. Renovated last year with new furniture.
We also have one camping spot available with a 50A service and hose hookup.
Water access: Located all on flat ground at lake level we have a ramp a literal stones throw away from the house and dock.
The dock is a with a three well covered dock with plenty of room to tie up to both sides. Slip one is 54X18, slip two is 44X14 and has a lift that our classic white 97 Fountain with staggered 500EFIs, and slip three is 32X12.
The boat: This is where we are doing something different. We are considering opening up weekend rentals for the boat. I have worked out the insurance requirements as well as the damage deposits.
The question is, if you were looking at making a trip to LOTO, would an all inclusive rental be attractive? Or, if you drove the hours to your favorite boating destination to just be put back on the trailer, would the availability of a performance boat rental be useful?
Due to the fact that we also have a van parked at the airport we could even wrap up the transportation aspect of the rental for people looking to fly in and out.
Is this an untapped market, or a pipe dream?
Location: 27.5MM Close to Millers Landing
Accommodations: The house is a 2bd, one bath, lots of parking. Renovated last year with new furniture.
We also have one camping spot available with a 50A service and hose hookup.
Water access: Located all on flat ground at lake level we have a ramp a literal stones throw away from the house and dock.
The dock is a with a three well covered dock with plenty of room to tie up to both sides. Slip one is 54X18, slip two is 44X14 and has a lift that our classic white 97 Fountain with staggered 500EFIs, and slip three is 32X12.
The boat: This is where we are doing something different. We are considering opening up weekend rentals for the boat. I have worked out the insurance requirements as well as the damage deposits.
The question is, if you were looking at making a trip to LOTO, would an all inclusive rental be attractive? Or, if you drove the hours to your favorite boating destination to just be put back on the trailer, would the availability of a performance boat rental be useful?
Due to the fact that we also have a van parked at the airport we could even wrap up the transportation aspect of the rental for people looking to fly in and out.
Is this an untapped market, or a pipe dream?
#2
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 11,901
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I think you are nuts. House rental/slip rental fine but throwing in the Fountain is a disaster waiting to happen:
A. Boat is old, won't be up to running hard which is exactly what renters will want to do so expect mechanical breakdown.
B. Boat is fast enough to get someone in trouble.
C. From a renter's perspective, I wouldn't want to be the guy that idles away from the dock only to have a drive fail because the previous renter was trying to be Reggie Fountain!
#3
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Hudson, IL
I think you are nuts. House rental/slip rental fine but throwing in the Fountain is a disaster waiting to happen:
A. Boat is old, won't be up to running hard which is exactly what renters will want to do so expect mechanical breakdown.
B. Boat is fast enough to get someone in trouble.
C. From a renter's perspective, I wouldn't want to be the guy that idles away from the dock only to have a drive fail because the previous renter was trying to be Reggie Fountain!
A. Boat is old, won't be up to running hard which is exactly what renters will want to do so expect mechanical breakdown.
B. Boat is fast enough to get someone in trouble.
C. From a renter's perspective, I wouldn't want to be the guy that idles away from the dock only to have a drive fail because the previous renter was trying to be Reggie Fountain!
The boat is absolutely up to running hard, and I have back up engines and drives that can be swapped in just a couple of hours if something were to fail of course any loss of time would be prorated or refunded. I'm aware that mechanical parts fail, and we need to be prepared.
As far as running hard, I have run it WOT from my place to Coconuts a couple of times and it has preformed perfect. I was considering adjusting the throttles and some parameters in the ECU to limit performance regardless. Prospective renters will have to fill out a performance boating resume and/or have history with the rental company to captain the boat, if not, a captain that meets the criteria can be hired/supplied to ensure safe operations.
#6
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Posts: 11,901
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Ok, then is "all inclusive rental" going to be 10-15-20K a weekend?
Why not just give them a 25 ft single engine center console or a Formula 260 bowrider type boat instead of the performance boat?
#7
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Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 44
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From: Williamsport PA
I agree with everyone else it seems extreme to give just anyone free access to the fountain. Although it does seem like a good opportunity if your able to vet the renters and make sure you are only renting to "responsible" people. I honestly would be interested as it would make it easier to come to the lake not having to drag my boat 15 hours. So I'm sure there is a market for it. At the end of the day if the insurance is all good. It seems like your covered so I would say go for it.
#9
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 595
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From: Hudson, IL
I agree with everyone else it seems extreme to give just anyone free access to the fountain. Although it does seem like a good opportunity if your able to vet the renters and make sure you are only renting to "responsible" people. I honestly would be interested as it would make it easier to come to the lake not having to drag my boat 15 hours. So I'm sure there is a market for it. At the end of the day if the insurance is all good. It seems like your covered so I would say go for it.
At no point would anyone that has less than a few years of experience running a boat like this would be allowed to captain.


