Friday, June 21, 2019

Small - Ship - Big experience



The small-ship concept has as base DNA the charter boat business; one offers a boat for hire, people occupy said boat, income is generated. The small-ship concept offers other elements than a mere live on boat experience, it offers an upscale on ship experience with premium ancillary activities: onboard skeet shooting, submarine tours, scuba diving, heli-fishing, heli-skiing, heli hiking, wildlife viewing, glacier lunches … all premium all of the time. The market segment this concept is directed toward consists of perhaps readers of the Field, Gray Sporting Journal, Rob Report, Economist – the clearest statement in the definition of the market segment is - $6000/day/person, all-inclusive. Operational modality, the provisioning of one peak experience per day, and more if you can fit it in. 

The backdrop for this business, the west coast of the Americas; in summer the pristine wilderness of British Columbia, in spring and fall the Gallipolis Islands, and in “winter” the west coast of South America.

The ship, a 150’ Cat, big power & fast - 40 knots or better and seaworthy; over the course of a week, this ship provides the ability to hit every premium wilderness destination on the British Columbia Coast. The staterooms offering no perceivable difference from accommodation at the finest hotel, save a superior and ever-changing view.  Guest numbers of less than twenty, staffing numbers of twenty. On board a 15 seat helicopter, a two-person submarine, seaworthy small craft for excursions, hot tubs, health centre, premium galley and group sensitive dining facilities.  
   
The people - the captain, marine biologist, activity director, premium culinary staff, health director, guides, pilots … the goal, the most personable, the most accomplished.

This offering is designed from the ground up to be exceptional; an absolutely premium experience in the right place at the right time. 

Capital Requirements: $40 Million

Preliminary numbers work, the only requirement for success, of course, is guests, while this market is hard to assess, one assumes this offering to be desirable and very popular.  

No comments: