Advise on which boat to go for?

Question

i want to start up a booze cruise on the ocean and need a boat not too big and not too small for about 10 to 20 people, I also need outside and inside space for various weather. I have no idea about which style to go for. I like the house boat pontoons style but have been told they are no good in the bad weather and can turn over easily OK for lakes but not ocean, I also want it to be as cheap as possible so any ideas and input would be appreciated

Answer 1

How about spending a season as a hand on a booze cruise boat? Then  you will learn the ins and outs of the business, and learn what boats work best, and what doesn't.

To commit to a venture such as this you need more experience and knowledge. You can't make money with a guest list as small as 10 or 20. Be thinking 50 minimum, and learn the business.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

Kathy,

You need a sea-going yacht-type boat, probably around 45' at the least. A used one will need to be renovated and remodeled.

As cheap as possible will be around $100,000, plus insurance and licenses and a licensed captain. Add in support and staff and booze and what-not, you will probably need $250,000 minimum to get this going.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 3

Coast Guard Boating Safety Tip #2:

Stay Sober in yours or anybody else's boat...

A boater, whether operator or passenger with blood alcohol content above 0.10 is ten times more likely to die in a boating accident than an operator or passenger with zero blood alcohol.

Other stressors such as sun, motion, vibration and noise affect the body 10 times more when drinking alcohol.

Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in "all states" and a violation of "Federal boating law".

Passengers in a vessel being operated by a person drinking alcohol that goes unreported are subject to strict fines and even up to six months in jail if the vessel is involved in an accident.

Man... don't even bother... what you are proposing is not at all cheap... even if you can afford the $1,500 for 20 life jackets, your fine will be at least twice that... and the boat will forever-more belong to the Coast Guard.

Answer 4

stay on shore. your too dangerous to be on water.

Answer 5

You should stay away from the pontoon boats for ocean side cruising.  A used charter boat that has a good size area for the people to stand and sight see would be good.   You will need to look at USCG inspected vessels to carry more than 6 people.    You will need a liquor license for the vessel.  You will need insurance, local and/or state licenses, a captain or you will need a captain's license, a few crew members, at least one maybe two depends on what the USCG tells you.  

With the liquor license you may serve drinks on board, the crew and captain can not have any at all in blood system.  

We do several 'Booze Cruise' a month, but we stay in the local river, not off shore.   Our vessels are 80' and carry 149 passengers.

Boat size? - 45 foot or so would work I am sure.