Anyone have a boat cleaning business?

[Shortyman801]

I want to get into the business of cleaning boats for a summer job. I was wondering if anyone here had any kind of business and could give me some tips on what I will have to do to start my own (permits and licenses and such). I am trying to get hold of the Small Business Corp. in my town for their help but they are closed on Sunday. I am in Wilmington, NC; in case anyone wants to offer me a job!

[LRDWILDER]

I don't but every year we've hired the same guy to buff and way our entire boat...and this guy makes BIG money! I also used to have him scrap the bottom of the boat once a year...but since I've been diving I do it my damn self now!

[Shortyman801]

Yea it is a pretty lucrative business and I have always wanted to do it. It is one of the main reasons I got certified. I am really desperate for money though, I really need a job...

[FishFood]

Clean as in scrape the bottom?

Are you comfortable diving in crappy, dirty, fairly stagnant bay water? What do your folks think about this?

Anyhow, here is a good read -

Boat Cleaning Business Case Study: Entrepreneurship 101

[chris in the socal]

All I have to say is that the permits in California are bad. Just for the EPA if you use any chemicals is huge. But there are some commercial units out there that clean with just water at high pressure. they work great and save a lot of time.

[mm2002]

I've also thought about it.........until after a little bit of research. Talk about a nasty thankless job. Nope.

[Shortyman801]

I am talking about diving under boats, so I don't really know how I could use chemicals underwater... I am just talking about scraping the barnacles and growth off the paint since most people here haven't moved their boats in about 8 months. Only tools needed are a brillo pad, paint scraper and a suction cup. I am also looking for some info. on how to change external zincs if anyone can help out there.

Around here the water is not very stagnant, and unless it is too hard I would probably request that the boat be moved out of the slip due to depths too low to stand in.