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Jet Ski Rental Business

How to Start a Jet Ski Rental Business

Summary: Starting a jet ski rental business entails only 3 things: location, equipments and know-how. You might know that "know-how" includes everything from knowledge, operation, marketing, sells and more. You might find this article on how to start a jet ski rental business is a great help to you.

Although it may seem uncomplicated, putting up jet ski business is rather difficult. First of all, not many places in the world can actually benefit from having a jet ski rental business.

Unless you can find a proper location for your proposed enterprise, the basis for putting up this jet ski rental service business is moot. Sure, you can put up a jet ski rental business anywhere, but would you have patrons coming out of the woodwork for you? Not likely.

The key to finding a great location for ski business is finding a place where water sports are in demand. Not all open bodies of water are jet ski locales; there are protected waterways or shallow waters with a network of corals or marine life habitats that are not only dangerous to run the jet boats in, but also against federal and environmental laws. It might be wise to check your local geography first, and update yourself with local, regional and environmental laws before plunging headfirst into jet ski rental services. If your chosen “spot” has its share of water sports machineries for rent, it is still advisable to check laws and regulations. You wouldn’t want to have the rug pulled from under you just because you neglected to research your “spot” first. After all, setting up a jet ski rental business is rather pricey.

And that leads us to the reason why a startup jet ski rental business is indeed expensive. Startup kit for jet skis are expensive on its own, and so in repair, maintenance and its fuel. In order to have a respectable income, you need to have at least a couple of these Yamaha jets working simultaneously. It is also advisable to get brand new jet skis, because second hand (or even third hand used jets) machines may save you a couple of hundred dollars on the initial sale, but will drain your accounts from jet ski maintenance and tune-ups. Brand new jet skis range from about $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the make and model of the machine and local jet ski dealers. Plus, jet engines need regular tune-ups as well. If you think the expenses end there, you may want to consider getting insurance for both your jet ski machines and your customers. Think of it as a car rental sort of transaction, only that your jet ski boats run in water, and if accidents do happen, its very likely that you will need the services of a specialized towing company (if you are lucky.)

Having enough knowledge to run a jet ski rental business venture is imperative. You need to know just what your potential market is, how powerful the jet engines you can buy, whether you can market your jet ski rental business only to the experienced, what to do during emergencies, etc. Before that, you must also check on the environmental factors around you like: when is it safe to rent out the jet ski 800 or 550, and when is it advisable to tell the potential customers off? You also need to set the demarcation line in the waters, and advised your future patrons as to where they can safely go, and where it should be out of bounds.

Although some people might think that setting out a jet ski rental business can be likened only to putting up a rental shop for bicycles, you must remember that these are powerful boats, which is quite capable of upturning sailboats, ramming through speed boats and crashing into docks and other physical barriers. If your customers don’t sustain enough injuries during these kinds of accidents, it is with great probability that the water might claim them – and that, assuredly so, is never good for business.

18 Responses to "Jet Ski Rental Business".

1. Jorge S on 1/6/2009 3:13:31 AM

Wow, what do you own one or something? Nice article towards potential starters. It's very possible man. I'm sure the ones who are going to start up a jet ski rental business already awared of cost, laws, maintenance and "OF COURSE" insurance. I dont think they gotta hear about the broken bones and burn to the death part guy.

2. Neil on 1/19/2009 11:08:48 AM

I have ALWAYS been interested in starting my own jet ski rental business. I just came back from a cruise and St. Maarten was one of my stops. People were waiting in line to go jet skiing at $65 a pop for a half hour. That solidified my interest even more. This article did provide some good information, but just like any other start up business, there are risks, and that i understand. What i do want to know is what is the cost going to be to start up this company? How many jet skis should i get? how much is the insurance policy? etc. Please let me know because i want to do my research and make a decision to see if this is right for me. Thank you. Neil

3. Wayne on 2/11/2009 9:49:00 AM

An opportunity just presented itself for me to be part owner of a Jet Ski/Sea-Doo rental business. The article was informative. However, I too would like additional information on the quantity of equipment needed at start up. Although, you don't recommend buying used equipment, my partner thinks that he has a good eye and the resources to get use equipment in optimum working condition before they're shipped. Thank you.

4. scott on 2/27/2009 9:56:54 PM

I own 4 jetski/boat rentals my advise for anyone who wants to start a business is to work for a location for at least six months before you start your own there is a lot to learn, and I think you cant even get insurance unless you have 3 yrs working experience. have fun Scott

5. peyt on 3/25/2009 12:16:48 PM

i plan to enter the jet ski renting business. I don't see myself working a 9 to 5 behind some desk, i want to do what i love. I already have a little head start by owning a seadoo. I'm only 18 so i have a few years of planning before i go into action. My only question is should i stay in the states with my business or go to a foreign island and start it up there. thanks for the advice man. peyt

6. Robert on 4/8/2009 7:50:19 PM

I want to open a jet ski rental business myself. I used to work on them for years and now work on them part time and race them. I have a ton of experience with watercraft and boats. I'm looking to make a life change. I would also like as much info as possible or even maybe a partner to do this with.

7. Jamie on 6/1/2009 9:39:26 AM

Anyone know WHERE to get the liability insurance? I am finding it hard to locate. Thanks for the reply!

8. Charles on 6/23/2009 12:51:00 AM

I am in the process of starting my jet ski rental but i'm sure there is still a lot more information I need to know. If anyone has some free time that could give some helpful hints or let me know where I could get some good information it would be greatly appreciated. thanks

9. Efrem Baez on 7/15/2009 4:51:03 PM

Just need info on how to go about opening a jet ski small rental business in Long Island, NY

10. Hernan on 7/22/2009 4:05:35 PM

First of all i have no experience in renting jet skis, but i do know that i really want to get into it. I'm thinking about opening a small rental spot in Destin Ft Walton Beach, FL. If you have any info or advice for me before i make my move i'll greatly appreciate. I really need some info on where i could buy new jet skis for a good price and how much am i looking to spend on insurance? Thanks A lot. Hernan!!

11. brandon on 8/5/2009 11:05:11 AM

i was wondering how you would rent or least the beach space from the hotel or the city

12. Greg Boynton on 8/12/2009 4:26:25 PM

I have been very interested in getting into the jet ski rentals myself for many years. I would like to do this in the Destin. Fl area or Gulf Shores Al. Trying to make a new start here i was thinking like a ski rental and a hotdog, hamburger, milk shake hut set up would be all around good time stop for the vacation folks. if anyone can help or has any ideas contact me. I am an investor with great credit looking to move on this ideal soon 8-12-09. Thanks Greg.

13. Elwin on 8/18/2009 1:50:06 AM

i just won a 2008 sea-doo gti. never been used (0 hours) comes with a caravan trailer. i don't really need it. i'm in the army and i'm trying to sell it instead. if you guys are interested i will give you my number to reach me 931-217-5849. i searched for the price and i saw $7,900 for the ski without the trailer, but i would give them both for $7,500. i hope you guys can call me if you are interested. i'm from Clarksville, TN (Fort Campbell KY)

14. Julian Christopher on 8/19/2009 12:08:36 AM

I'm looking to open a jet ski business here in malaysia. There is not much competitors around but there is a whole lot of tourist that come along here from time to time. I'm seeking some professional advice on how to open a jetski business from A-Z. Really hope to hear from you.

15. Daniel Rivera on 8/23/2009 10:58:33 PM

I'm looking to start a small jet ski rental business in my area. I noticed that there is really nobody doing it in the beaches here, which get very crowded, they only do it in rivers and places like that. I started thinking about it a couple of months ago while vacationing in miami. I would appreciate all info possible especially regarding insurance and average maintenance prices as well as where to go to check if it's allowed by local authorities to do that in their beaches. thanks a lot. daniel

16. Yuniel Guillen on 9/1/2009 5:17:31 PM

By any chance anyone knows how much is it to rent or lease a spot in miami beach Florida? And who do I contact for that type of information? Yuniel thanks for the insight.

17. Stace jensen on 9/30/2009 4:31:26 PM

I am interested in starting up a jet ski and Kayaks business with my husband. We want to know how you go about finding a great location. We live in Utah and people here love doing things outdoors. What about going south for the winter? I have found that most rentals here at lakes are contracted to the Marina and they have 10 year contracts.

18. Ange Isaacs on 11/9/2009 5:30:39 AM

I am determined to but used jet skies for my rental in the Caribbean as thats all my budget allows for at the minute. I have to ensure insurance cover and maintenance. I am interested in the miscellaneous equipment needed ie life Jacket etc. Can anyone help.

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