I need a little insight?

Question

Well so I have this crazy idea, and I'm not sure if it would work and by the time I had the money it probably would be an obsolete project but..

I want to buy or - have built - a ferry boat to cross this lake (punch this into google or Y!) between these two points 40.968955, -109.553578 to 40.985614, -109.585688.

I want it to be able to carry cars across the water. I'm pretty sure I would get a couple hudred people on average including a school bus 3 times a day.

What would it take? How much money? How bad are regulations? What kind of boat? What sort of toll should I impose (has to be kinda small)

Ideas? Answers?

Thanks

Answer 1

First of all, the toll-"it has to be kinda small" will shoot this thing down for me at the get-go. This will take a lot of legal work, as it is crossing a national recreation area, which will involve the US Government, Utah and Wyoming.

You want to operate a ferry to cross Flaming Gorge Reservoir, between Jug Hollow Road and Lucerne Valley Recreational Road. Just how much traffic will you forecast there being?

You will need a diesel-powered ferry, 70 feet by 15 feet, with a 2 foot draft. This could be made on site if you had enough welders and permits to do it. You are probably looking at a cost of $150,000-$250,000. You will need a captain's license for this size boat from the US Coast Guard, plus all the safety equipment. I guess that you have plumbed the depths for clearance of the ferry. You will also need grading and bridging to get from the roads onto the ferry.

All in all, you will probably need about $500,000 or so, depending on how much lawyers cost and permits, etc., plus storage tank for fuel.

If you can carry 50 people a day, and rake in $500 a day, including the school buses, you can probably keep your head above water, if interest rates don't eat you alive.

If you can borrow $500,000, at 6% for 10 years, the monthly payment will be $5551.

Good luck, but I don't think that this is feasible. You might want to rethink this using a 20' pontoon boat, no cars or buses.

Maybe rent small john boats, or 15' outboards.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 2

well first i think this idea is alittle out fo date with air traval and all and you have to be aware of the storms and the problems crossing water

and if u plan to cross into internatinal waters u will need permision from who ever controls that water

and be sure to hav armed security gauards on board to protect against pirates ( yes i know it wounds silly but there are still pirates and theses ones arnt looking for gold, they'er looking for blood

Answer 3

Good luck with that! It takes money to make money.

There are many ferries across the US. Call Bullfrog marina in Utah and ask what they charge for their ferry.