digging for feedback. Adventure RIB Excursions.

[RyanPratt]

Im playing with the idea of building a match set of 7m ribs to do adventure tours from the US to The Bahamas. We would offer complete trips with room and board using local hotels for diving and spearfishing tours. Any one interested in this kind of trip and what would you pay per person, per day?

Thanks,
Ryan

[whisper]

7m is a bit small???

[RyanPratt]

Originally Posted by RyanPratt

adventure tours

I run 7m all day long all over the Ocean and they are safe and capable. Any bigger and the price of the tour would increase drastically. Also we would only run 4-6 people per boat.

[Bigtalljv]

How far is that? How rough of water?

I think space is an issue limiting income. You'd be looking at maybe 4 passengers per boat. My family of four is good but we have all the tanks and gear storage below decks. Once the dive gear comes out it gets tight. We've found that tanks and BCs go forward and people lounge in the back between dives. Mostly because tanks storage is forward and the food cooler and shade is in the back but you can do a custom layout.

The stock console take up a lot of space but has a lot of storage.

We could dive five or even six but they have to be real good friends.

Getting dive gear with the weight integrated BCs over the tubes, up and down, is a workout, hire strong young guys.

Obviously freediving is less gear but you'll need a good clever fin rack and spear gun rack.

Seating, like me you love your beanbags out there. Fixed seats will kill your space.

Cost would need to be more than I can afford but then I'm not your target audience.

The cattle boats in California charge more than $150 for a three tank dive day trip and they have like 40+ divers.

Jason

[RyanPratt]

trip to first island is 50-70 miles open ocean. each other island is between 10-80 miles over reefs and covered waters. we would run certain times of year when seas are calm only a 4-6 month season for easy crossings.

[Andre]

I agree with Whisper the 7 mtr is far too short. What engine will you have a large Cummins or a pair of outboards. With a large Cummins you have less deck space for your passengers so ride for sure uncomfortable especially if seated on the engine box.
Small rib less passengers so a greater share of the costs - large rib more passengers so the share of the costs is less painful

for safety of course a pair of outboards would be an advantage

[Searider]

Luggage stowage. Big suitcase per person at least.

[RyanPratt]

Single 300hp on each open deck with jockey seating that are removable once we get to location. Each passenger is sent a bag before the trip and can only take what fits in bag. under deck storage for 6 bags.

[whisper]

Have a look at Andre's website in the gallery:

http://parkerribs.com/parker_seasafari_ribs.html

You should get an idea of the amount of people vs boat size.

I'm not pushing a Parker rib but he does have loads of pics which are worth looking at to see how other companies carry passengers.

As Searider says, luggage storage must be taken into account if they are turning up with suitcases....

Also make sure you find out if you need suspension seating for your working crew / passengers as I have no idea in your area.

If I'm honest I'd be looking at a 9m

[zip]

I'm kind of thinking at least $300.
This guy has a nice operation. Dolphin Watch & Whale Watching Tours in San Diego CA by Adventure RIB Rides
He has a Nautica set up for 6 and a 733 set up for 12.

[whisper]

Here's another good website:

http://www.redbayboats.com/storm-force-range

Hope that helps

[islandflyer]

he's operating out of the USA, will have to buy USA manufactured boats.

You will also have to pay customs entry fees each trip, paperwork, and follow all of the Bahamas rules and regulations when it comes to fishing and diving.

http://www.bahamas.com/boating-enter-exit

You'll also have opposition from locals:

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/...reign-vessels/

[RyanPratt]

Our boat will run 6 or less so hull can be made outside of the US. We dont plan on running any diving charters off our boats per say we would focus on infusing each destinations economy into our trips using local hotels/dive shops & Restaurants and local guides for spearfishing etc. we are more of a taxi from location to location and making all reservations for them.

[islandflyer]

Gotcha - just make sure you factor in the $150 cruising permit each time and a $25/person departure tax over 3 persons.

I like the idea actually, if you're going to use local hotels, restaurants, dive ops, charter fishing, etc.

Also, you may want to consider smaller twins for reliability and safety - you never know if there's a mechanic or parts around where you fail...perhaps get a Sea Tow membership too

[RyanPratt]

Yes, keeping it local is what we want will make the trips a lot funner and more of an adventure. We travel in pairs for safety. and the singles give us better range and also makes getting in and out of the boats so much easier.

[cgoing]

Will there be a discount for Rib.net members??

[RyanPratt]

Lol, if we decide to do it i will probably do a few shakedown runs to get it all dialed in and could offer discounts for BETA Testers.

[zip]

"Sea Tow Membership"
😂😂😂

[whisper]

If you do it I'll come over to be a practice passenger

[John Kennett]

I'm not a diver, but RIB cruising in the Bahamas sounds like a great idea. I'd be interested to see how the pricing works out.