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Looking to start a second business. Thinking that a commuter boat idea is a great idea for M-F. Idea is to get a 6 passenger enclosed boat and run people to and from work each day. Put a Wi-FI onboard and some nice seats for the snotty days.
So the question is if I ran you up to Gangplank close to Metro each day how much would client pay? Round trip of coarse.
Thinking 25 round trip each day. Donuts and coffee on board.
I need your input...bad / good it all helps.
Capt Mike
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Uber doesn't provide donuts and coffee...just sayin'!
Need a catchy name for the service....not Lyft, maybe Hitch a Ride?
$12.50 a poo sounds OK to me, could be faster that going over 14th St. Bridge on many days.
Are you picking up in multiple places, multiple times? Same with destination.
Don't forget No Wake zone in WC, will slow you down.
The river does freeze once in a while but snotty isn't so bad on the 'mac that way.
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I think consideration has to be given the EST and Daylight Savings.
Running in the dark...
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We all know that Capt. Mike likes LED lights....
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Being a transportation planner in a former life, this was brought up as a major project. The difference here is the smaller craft would work better due to the smaller logistics support needed on both sides of the water.
Just for you Capt Mike.
Your new service name will be "Float"
You provide alternating drop off locations including the Pentagon (north entrance) which is pedestrian friendly and close to the entrance.
Provide a lunchtime reverse trip to National Harbor for lunch rates
Partner with a couple uber/lyft folks to be on stand by for rides at drop off.
Cost would have to be in line with perceived value in time savings and stress free ride....I'd say $20 round trip $15 one way.
I have no idea what your operating costs would be or time to shuttle, but there are a lot of opportunities including weekend fares where folks want a cool way to head to old town Alexandria, national harbor, etc..
One more thing....do a on-line booking service so folks know they have a seat.
Last edited by backtofuturetoyota (Oct-26-17 4:48AM)
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"Float" has a good name. Pickup at Fort Washington and drop off at Gangplank. Reverse in the evening. Let see it takes about 56 minutes one way with the no wake zones. Parking at Fort Washington is no problem and I am sure the management would approve. The Gangplank might be tricky. Have to plan around happy hour. Start out small and expand as needed. Yes Va pickups would be great also. Belle Haven would be a tough one with entrance and exit. But it would work. Not sure I would do multiple picks and drop offs with a 6 passenger limit. Might need a second boat at some time.
Might be my M-F job between fishing trips.
I will keep you posted.
Capt Mike
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captmikestarrett wrote:
Might be my M-F job between fishing trips.
Any fishing in between pickups? Two hour lunch specials?
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I used to take the Water Taxi in Baltimore (Canton to Inner Harbor) when I lived up there. I loved it, it was a nice, calm, relaxing 45 min ride.
It was $45/month, or $6/day. I think the Water Taxi was subsidized by the City at the time, before all those accidents happened and before Kevin Plank bought it out.
I think Government workers with consistent hours would flock to this kind of service. Are you going to run two boats though, so that they cross paths? The Water Taxi had it set up so that it came every 30 minutes from 7AM to 9AM.
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captmikestarrett wrote:
"Float" has a good name.
Just make sure when you register it that a "er" is not mistakenly added to the back of it. haha
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Just be careful that it may be such a good idea the city may compete with you
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBTA_Boat
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I am thinking small right now for the start. Boat most likely will be an enclosed aluminum boat similar to the one's used in Alaska.
Powered by two med sized outboards and can be used for bay or catfish if I wanted to.
Capt Mike
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Versatility is a good thing
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