Best Kayaks and SUP for rental

[thataway]

This is not C Dory directly related, but i am hoping that the wisdom of these here can help us. We (along with several other friends)are bidding on the concession at a Florida State park. My involvement is purchase of rental kayaks and stand up paddle boards (SUP). Because of durability and safety we want sit on top Kayaks. I fully realize that a sit in kayak is better, but for rentals by in-experienced people, I feel that there is too much risk with the sit in boats. We want rotomolded polyethylene boats for durability as well as being inexpensive. However, we do want a quality product which will stand up to use. We do have access to a high volume wholesale account with West Marine.

The boats will be kept on racks, with sun protection when not in use. They have to be carried or drug over fine sand, about 50 feet from the rack to the launching area. They will be boarded from the shoal water. The area of boating will be salt water lakes of about 40 acres as well as a several mile stretch of ICW. Generally protected, except for occasional boat wakes.

Initially we will probably have 6 doubles, 10 singles, and 6 to 10 fishing single Kayaks. . We will also have a dozen SUP (for starters). Rental rates will be slightly under the completion locally. Our group is also providing food service, general merchandise and bicycle rentals. There are people who have expertise in these areas who are involved with our LLC.

The average attendance is in the 600 to 1000 persons per day in the state park, including a camp ground, picnic facilities, beaches, fishing and boat launching ramps.

Any suggestion of brands, and features we should look for?d Thanks

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Dr. Bob,

When we were in the Tetons, we had about thirty Wilderness Systems kayaks. I don't recall the exact models, but it was mostly doubles (that could be converted to a larger single) and singles. They were rented daily, from early morning to sundown. They took a beating and held up pretty well. They were drug across a rocky shoreline, which was the cause of most damage... able to be "plastic welded."

There is a Hobie Kayak dealer in Friday Harbor, but those don't see a lot of use. Here on South Padre Island, a local dealer has been renting Hobie Kayaks for about 5 years. As you know, they are more expensive, but very high quality.

Joan was the marina retail manager - had a full store, including some groceries and fishing supplies, as well as clothing and camping supplies. The store did very well. Ice cream sold like crazy on warm days. Coffee was also a big seller all morning. Any kind of mosquito repellent also flew off the shelves.

Good luck with this venture. A good manager who understands the hours involved is key.

Best wishes,
Jim

[Lost Petrel]

Bob, Looking over what WM offers seems like it may be limiting. They carry "Ocean" but only one model. Their selection of "Perceptions" is quite a bit better.

I have had numerous Perception boats over the years (all whitewater boats that took a whole lot of beating) and if they still make them the way they use to, they will last.

Ocean has been making SOTs forever and have a good reputation .

I would think with the quantity you are talking about you should go right to the manufacturers to see if they will deal.

[thataway]

Thanks to both Jim and Tim! I am mostly a finance guy, some part of the idea, but not in the day to day operations. The food vender already has a successful food truck/cart business, and this will be a second or 3rd unit in the general area. The general merchandise is a separate trailer/portable shed, and has extensive experience in retail, has been chamber of commerce head in the area, as well has put on a number of special events, including some in the State Park. The bike rental person owns several bike retail shops and 2 other rental locations. He also is also an attorney, and employed as an LEO. The principles are all solid business persons.

All of the materials, trailers, etc. have to be ready for hurricane evacuation on a day's notice.

I have owned a Hobie revolution--and great kayak, but way too expensive, and delicate for rentals. The other kayaks I have owned have been sit in, narrower, longer and better lines than a rental will be.

I have looked at the Preception and it is what is being used by the park during the winter, when they will continue their kayak rentals. (They want to keep the kayak rental, which is really sporadic during the Sept thru March period).

We know what West Marine's wholesale price is on the Preception. (of course cannot get them for quite that price). Yes, we are approaching at least one manufacturer for wholesale/distributer prices. We feel that once things get going, that we can utilize more kayaks and SUP than we are starting with. Initial contract is for 5 years, with a second 5 year extension period.

[Aurelia]

Hi Bob,

I don't have any ownership experience with the sit-on-top type kayaks but I have paddled quite a few different models for short periods. I have also paddled the sit-in variety for about 15 years and have owned quite a few of those and guided remote trips for a decade in the northwest.

I think the general park rental market would be for basic boats without much preference for anything but a short ride and some fun with friends or family. They are not really looking for a brand or a model and really just need a boat. Sit on top boats are very tough by design and the durability is more related to the outfitting. Seat and component design, the ability to service/replace those parts, or the cost/availability of simple replacement would be of primary importance. The simple/short models are cheaper and less intimidating for most and would likely do well, while having a slightly longer option, or some tandems, would also be an appealing option for folks with kids or pairs of renters who want to be together.

It may be good to start with something simple that you can get your hands on easily and locally, and has some basic parts or replacement support. Take a drive and look a few entry level models over before you spend the money on anything.

A couple of examples like those linked below could be a good start. Inquire about spare parts availability and consider keeping those spares on hand to keep the fleet operating smoothly. Get paddles with fiberglass shafts for comfort and durability but plastic blades for toughness. Get lengths to match the widths of boats you end up with and two piece models will be the easiest to find. Aquabound, Bending branches, or Carlisle would be good brands to start with but there are others who make basic models as well.


http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-D10T-SitOnTop-Kayak-Red/Black/product/12102505321113/

http://www.costco.com/Lifetime-Tamarack-10-ft.-Sit-On-Top-Kayak---Lime-Green-.product.11760252.html

Good luck and getting folks out on the water is a great thing to be a part of, as you know.

Greg

[slowtrot]

Have had lots of different Canoes and Kayaks during my 68 years. Sit ons are much better for beginners. The longer sit ons perform very well almost as good as the sit ins and self rescue is much much easier if they are dumped in wind and wave. To get back into a sit in is a high art that requires practice and more practice. Wilderness makes a very good sit on boat. Perception makes good boats too.

If you want the customers to pick or drag the boats, smaller will be better. But the difference in a 10-12 footer versus 14 in paddling and tracking is very large. I would not even think about rudders on rentals because you will spend your remaining days doing repairs.

Really good fiberglass paddles will get gone. Alum and plastic would be good enough.

Sun eats all these boats so think about how to store if you want them to last.
Slowtrot

[Byrdman]

Good Day Bob! Please do not underestimate the wakes in the ICW particularly if there area a few boat shows lined up as those guys are just getting big boats from one location to another and care zero about anyone else on the ICW..."their" water route between the shows. Experienced this during extended travel trips and daily fishing trips. 44' Kadey Krogen (better have the stabilizers activated) and 16' fishing boats (sort of canal fishing on parts of the ICW).
Be sure the rigs there are easy to get back on and let them be aware if they see large boats coming to get ready and get out of the middle. Even if the boats see them and go down to no wake....big ol rollers come down the canal like bowling balls rolling down the lanes.
You should have fun with this. Good to see you helping folks get out on and enjoying the waters. Great chatting with you again.
Good health!

[thataway]

Thanks,
Yes, the customers are gong to have to drag the boats a short distance in fine sand. No movable foot rests (molded in), no rollers which can break--and of course no rudders!

We will have all bright orange boats, Probably with a red flag on a 6' whip. (The fishing are mostly a cameo color, but we will put bright orange paint on the decks and upper sides.

The boats/SUP are stored under cover when not in use.

The "instruction" will be via an I pad video, written instructions, (which customer initials at each stage), The boats in the ICW is one of my biggest issues. The rental area is in calm water, about 200 feet form the edge of the ICW, but near where it ends a "no wake" zone. Thus boat wakes are a major concern.

I have visited all of the Kayak rental venues locally, and talked to the folks at Hontoon Island. Also talked to some other concessionaires in state parks. Been to Dicks, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro etc.

I like the Costco, boat, but our nearest Costco is about 200 miles, but we could probably get a drop shipment to one of the bike shops.

Bob

[Pandion]

Bob, when we visit Hawaii's Big Island, we rent sit-on kayaks from the Kona Boys, at Kealakekua.

http://www.konaboys.com/kayak

They've been there quite a while, and are friendly and great to deal with. They rent Ocean and RTM rotomolded singles and doubles, and SUPs--and they do a brisk business. You might want to call and pick their brains.

[Will-C]

We had Ocean sit on tops. My wife had a small one that weighed in at 45 pounds perfect for smaller folks. I had a 13' prowler that had a water proof compartment and bungee arrangement for carrying a small cooler etc.
We are going to order a Tower Stand Up inflatable Paddle board sold on Amazon. They have a two year warranty and they show being run over by a car. They store fairly small 33" by 12" come with paddle, pump and a I think a roller bag.