Renatal Space to Build a small boat

[mike from Boston]

Has anyone thought about renting a space and tools needed to build a small boat? Do you think there might be a market for such a service/capability in a large metro environment? I am thinking of this as a possible business opportunity, and from what I have seen on the forum over the years, you all are pretty well in touch with reality - in case I am not!

Input appreciated!

Thanks,

Mike :confused:

[mike from Boston]

Has anyone thought about renting a space and tools needed to build a small boat? Do you think there might be a market for such a service/capability in a large metro environment? I am thinking of this as a possible business opportunity, and from what I have seen on the forum over the years, you all are pretty well in touch with reality - in case I am not!

Input appreciated!

Thanks,

Mike :confused:

[mike from Boston]

Has anyone thought about renting a space and tools needed to build a small boat? Do you think there might be a market for such a service/capability in a large metro environment? I am thinking of this as a possible business opportunity, and from what I have seen on the forum over the years, you all are pretty well in touch with reality - in case I am not!

Input appreciated!

Thanks,

Mike :confused:

[gary porter]

Mike, it is a good idea but before you go too far check with your insurance agent or agents and explain the type of work that will be done. Unfortunately we live in a time when everyone is afraid of everything. I had a very hard time getting insurance to cover my shop, they didn't want anything to do with woodworking. I did finally get some but only one of many of the companies who my broker approached would even bid. Don't be disscouraged but think about it. I hate to say it but you might want to run it by a lawyer as well.
There is a need. I had to turn down a guy this winter who wanted a boat but wanted to help build it. He didn't have a shop or location to build. Mostly there was a time conflict with when he wanted it but there was also many issues including liabilities that I had to concider. I wish we didn't have to think about these things and could just concentrate on the need at hand. The current administration is working on limiting some of the large settlements etc. that have caused many a business to go down but I think that will be a long haul before we see results. Good luck in your endevor. If you want to do it then do it.
Gary

[ 02-18-2005, 03:07 PM: Message edited by: gary porter ]

[gary porter]

Mike, it is a good idea but before you go too far check with your insurance agent or agents and explain the type of work that will be done. Unfortunately we live in a time when everyone is afraid of everything. I had a very hard time getting insurance to cover my shop, they didn't want anything to do with woodworking. I did finally get some but only one of many of the companies who my broker approached would even bid. Don't be disscouraged but think about it. I hate to say it but you might want to run it by a lawyer as well.
There is a need. I had to turn down a guy this winter who wanted a boat but wanted to help build it. He didn't have a shop or location to build. Mostly there was a time conflict with when he wanted it but there was also many issues including liabilities that I had to concider. I wish we didn't have to think about these things and could just concentrate on the need at hand. The current administration is working on limiting some of the large settlements etc. that have caused many a business to go down but I think that will be a long haul before we see results. Good luck in your endevor. If you want to do it then do it.
Gary

[ 02-18-2005, 03:07 PM: Message edited by: gary porter ]

[gary porter]

Mike, it is a good idea but before you go too far check with your insurance agent or agents and explain the type of work that will be done. Unfortunately we live in a time when everyone is afraid of everything. I had a very hard time getting insurance to cover my shop, they didn't want anything to do with woodworking. I did finally get some but only one of many of the companies who my broker approached would even bid. Don't be disscouraged but think about it. I hate to say it but you might want to run it by a lawyer as well.
There is a need. I had to turn down a guy this winter who wanted a boat but wanted to help build it. He didn't have a shop or location to build. Mostly there was a time conflict with when he wanted it but there was also many issues including liabilities that I had to concider. I wish we didn't have to think about these things and could just concentrate on the need at hand. The current administration is working on limiting some of the large settlements etc. that have caused many a business to go down but I think that will be a long haul before we see results. Good luck in your endevor. If you want to do it then do it.
Gary

[ 02-18-2005, 03:07 PM: Message edited by: gary porter ]

[Barry]

Mike:
I used to live in Cambridge, and finding space was always problematic. Most warehouse space in the area was being converted to Condos and Biotech
research, hence hefty rents. There were literally ten empty buildings in my neighborhood(Cambridgeport)that were used by small businesses and local bands for practice;cheap,cheap,cheap. All gone by the early 90's; mostly MIT usage now.
In fact, Stillwater Designs (build rowing shells)
were a block from my house, they're now in Chelsea
or East Boston. If you have the space I wouldn't limit it to just boatbuilding, I know some woodworkers and cabinet makers that have been looking for space. Most have moved to other Cities,Fall River,New Bedford,Worcester (in fact there's a guy in Worcester who's doing the same thing right now with an old Textile Mill, I'll see if I can find the info and forward to you.) It's a good idea and Boston definately needs it.
There is a building in Somerville(might actually be Charlestown) up behind the Schrafts Candy building that has fairly decent space. Can't rememeber the address, but my friend Mike Smith has a small T-shirt print shop there: QRST's is the name, he was in Cambridgeport also before rents went through the roof. It's a multi-use facility and there are a few small cabinet shops there or were. Did you have a space in mind?
I'm interested in how you make out.

Barry

[ 02-18-2005, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: Barry ]

[Barry]

Mike:
I used to live in Cambridge, and finding space was always problematic. Most warehouse space in the area was being converted to Condos and Biotech
research, hence hefty rents. There were literally ten empty buildings in my neighborhood(Cambridgeport)that were used by small businesses and local bands for practice;cheap,cheap,cheap. All gone by the early 90's; mostly MIT usage now.
In fact, Stillwater Designs (build rowing shells)
were a block from my house, they're now in Chelsea
or East Boston. If you have the space I wouldn't limit it to just boatbuilding, I know some woodworkers and cabinet makers that have been looking for space. Most have moved to other Cities,Fall River,New Bedford,Worcester (in fact there's a guy in Worcester who's doing the same thing right now with an old Textile Mill, I'll see if I can find the info and forward to you.) It's a good idea and Boston definately needs it.
There is a building in Somerville(might actually be Charlestown) up behind the Schrafts Candy building that has fairly decent space. Can't rememeber the address, but my friend Mike Smith has a small T-shirt print shop there: QRST's is the name, he was in Cambridgeport also before rents went through the roof. It's a multi-use facility and there are a few small cabinet shops there or were. Did you have a space in mind?
I'm interested in how you make out.

Barry

[ 02-18-2005, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: Barry ]

[Barry]

Mike:
I used to live in Cambridge, and finding space was always problematic. Most warehouse space in the area was being converted to Condos and Biotech
research, hence hefty rents. There were literally ten empty buildings in my neighborhood(Cambridgeport)that were used by small businesses and local bands for practice;cheap,cheap,cheap. All gone by the early 90's; mostly MIT usage now.
In fact, Stillwater Designs (build rowing shells)
were a block from my house, they're now in Chelsea
or East Boston. If you have the space I wouldn't limit it to just boatbuilding, I know some woodworkers and cabinet makers that have been looking for space. Most have moved to other Cities,Fall River,New Bedford,Worcester (in fact there's a guy in Worcester who's doing the same thing right now with an old Textile Mill, I'll see if I can find the info and forward to you.) It's a good idea and Boston definately needs it.
There is a building in Somerville(might actually be Charlestown) up behind the Schrafts Candy building that has fairly decent space. Can't rememeber the address, but my friend Mike Smith has a small T-shirt print shop there: QRST's is the name, he was in Cambridgeport also before rents went through the roof. It's a multi-use facility and there are a few small cabinet shops there or were. Did you have a space in mind?
I'm interested in how you make out.

Barry

[ 02-18-2005, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: Barry ]

[StevenBauer]

Ae you familiar with Floating The Apple? Their website is out of date but I think the group is still active.

www.floatingtheapple.org (http://www.floatingtheapple.org)

Floating the Apple
400 West 43rd Street, 32R
New York, NY 10036
United States
Phone: 212/ 564-5412
floapple@aol.com

"Floating the Apple was started in 1992 as a community-based nonprofit organization to restore universal access onto our urban waterways. By contrast to suburbs, waterways are immediate to most cities and towns. This urban advantage of natural outdoor space was made good use of through the first half of the 20th Century. Since then, however, it has not been -- largely due to loss of ready and affordable access onto these inner-city rivers and bays. To restore public access in New York City, Floating the Apple is helping groups in waterfront neighborhoods to establish the infrastructure and institutions for "community boating." That is -- local, affordable boating especially geared to the needs of young people. Floating the Apple has persuaded city agencies to donate waterfront space for public boating and it has improvised half a dozen boathouses, thereby doubling such facilities in the city. Its volunteers, largely youngsters, have built twenty Whitehall rowing/sailing gigs for public use out of these community boathouses. Some of the boats are now on loan to start community boating programs in smaller urban centers. Together, these initiatives -- in the spirit of having fun -- are gradually bringing urbanites back to full enjoyment of major urban resources -- our public waterways."

[StevenBauer]

Ae you familiar with Floating The Apple? Their website is out of date but I think the group is still active.

www.floatingtheapple.org (http://www.floatingtheapple.org)

Floating the Apple
400 West 43rd Street, 32R
New York, NY 10036
United States
Phone: 212/ 564-5412
floapple@aol.com

"Floating the Apple was started in 1992 as a community-based nonprofit organization to restore universal access onto our urban waterways. By contrast to suburbs, waterways are immediate to most cities and towns. This urban advantage of natural outdoor space was made good use of through the first half of the 20th Century. Since then, however, it has not been -- largely due to loss of ready and affordable access onto these inner-city rivers and bays. To restore public access in New York City, Floating the Apple is helping groups in waterfront neighborhoods to establish the infrastructure and institutions for "community boating." That is -- local, affordable boating especially geared to the needs of young people. Floating the Apple has persuaded city agencies to donate waterfront space for public boating and it has improvised half a dozen boathouses, thereby doubling such facilities in the city. Its volunteers, largely youngsters, have built twenty Whitehall rowing/sailing gigs for public use out of these community boathouses. Some of the boats are now on loan to start community boating programs in smaller urban centers. Together, these initiatives -- in the spirit of having fun -- are gradually bringing urbanites back to full enjoyment of major urban resources -- our public waterways."

[StevenBauer]

Ae you familiar with Floating The Apple? Their website is out of date but I think the group is still active.

www.floatingtheapple.org (http://www.floatingtheapple.org)

Floating the Apple
400 West 43rd Street, 32R
New York, NY 10036
United States
Phone: 212/ 564-5412
floapple@aol.com

"Floating the Apple was started in 1992 as a community-based nonprofit organization to restore universal access onto our urban waterways. By contrast to suburbs, waterways are immediate to most cities and towns. This urban advantage of natural outdoor space was made good use of through the first half of the 20th Century. Since then, however, it has not been -- largely due to loss of ready and affordable access onto these inner-city rivers and bays. To restore public access in New York City, Floating the Apple is helping groups in waterfront neighborhoods to establish the infrastructure and institutions for "community boating." That is -- local, affordable boating especially geared to the needs of young people. Floating the Apple has persuaded city agencies to donate waterfront space for public boating and it has improvised half a dozen boathouses, thereby doubling such facilities in the city. Its volunteers, largely youngsters, have built twenty Whitehall rowing/sailing gigs for public use out of these community boathouses. Some of the boats are now on loan to start community boating programs in smaller urban centers. Together, these initiatives -- in the spirit of having fun -- are gradually bringing urbanites back to full enjoyment of major urban resources -- our public waterways."

[generic]

www.sobs.us/ (http://www.sobs.us/)

[generic]

www.sobs.us/ (http://www.sobs.us/)

[generic]

www.sobs.us/ (http://www.sobs.us/)

[hikingchrs]

This reminds me of an artical that I read on the car talk website...Click and Clack owned a DIY auto repair center in the '70 they shut it down because they lost money...people would bring there car in take it apart and not be able to get it running again they would end up helping and get the car running but not make what they could of if they where to just charge for repairs I bring this up because their shop was located in cambridge
Chris

[hikingchrs]

This reminds me of an artical that I read on the car talk website...Click and Clack owned a DIY auto repair center in the '70 they shut it down because they lost money...people would bring there car in take it apart and not be able to get it running again they would end up helping and get the car running but not make what they could of if they where to just charge for repairs I bring this up because their shop was located in cambridge
Chris

[hikingchrs]

This reminds me of an artical that I read on the car talk website...Click and Clack owned a DIY auto repair center in the '70 they shut it down because they lost money...people would bring there car in take it apart and not be able to get it running again they would end up helping and get the car running but not make what they could of if they where to just charge for repairs I bring this up because their shop was located in cambridge
Chris

[generic]

I did wonder how sobs made any money. It seems like a fun idea, but there doesn't look to be a lot of margin for error.

[generic]

I did wonder how sobs made any money. It seems like a fun idea, but there doesn't look to be a lot of margin for error.

[generic]

I did wonder how sobs made any money. It seems like a fun idea, but there doesn't look to be a lot of margin for error.

[Barry]

Originally posted by hikingchrs:
I bring this up because their shop was located in cambridge.
ChrisAbout 200 feet from my house, this is the same neighborhood I wrote about in my previous post.
Give an idea, the former Wheeler Manufacturing Building(Metal Fabrication)was converted to about 30 Condo units starting at $380,000.00 for a 1 bedroom. This is an ugly, squat, cinder block building atop what amounts to a Brown Fields site.
Crazy.

[Barry]

Originally posted by hikingchrs:
I bring this up because their shop was located in cambridge.
ChrisAbout 200 feet from my house, this is the same neighborhood I wrote about in my previous post.
Give an idea, the former Wheeler Manufacturing Building(Metal Fabrication)was converted to about 30 Condo units starting at $380,000.00 for a 1 bedroom. This is an ugly, squat, cinder block building atop what amounts to a Brown Fields site.
Crazy.

[Barry]

Originally posted by hikingchrs:
I bring this up because their shop was located in cambridge.
ChrisAbout 200 feet from my house, this is the same neighborhood I wrote about in my previous post.
Give an idea, the former Wheeler Manufacturing Building(Metal Fabrication)was converted to about 30 Condo units starting at $380,000.00 for a 1 bedroom. This is an ugly, squat, cinder block building atop what amounts to a Brown Fields site.
Crazy.

[Hwyl]

Originally posted by mike from Boston:
Has anyone thought about renting a space and tools needed to build a small boat? Do you think there might be a market for such a service/capability in a large metro environment? I am thinking of this as a possible business opportunity, and from what I have seen on the forum over the years, you all are pretty well in touch with reality - in case I am not!
Mike, so many projects are started and not finished, that I think it would be a tough business. You'd have to have a contract that you would own the project if the rent was late, and enough of a deposit to pay to put the project in the dump if that's all it's worth.

I've seen a similar idea in Newport and it was a failure and insurance in those days was easier.

[Hwyl]

Originally posted by mike from Boston:
Has anyone thought about renting a space and tools needed to build a small boat? Do you think there might be a market for such a service/capability in a large metro environment? I am thinking of this as a possible business opportunity, and from what I have seen on the forum over the years, you all are pretty well in touch with reality - in case I am not!
Mike, so many projects are started and not finished, that I think it would be a tough business. You'd have to have a contract that you would own the project if the rent was late, and enough of a deposit to pay to put the project in the dump if that's all it's worth.

I've seen a similar idea in Newport and it was a failure and insurance in those days was easier.

[Hwyl]

Originally posted by mike from Boston:
Has anyone thought about renting a space and tools needed to build a small boat? Do you think there might be a market for such a service/capability in a large metro environment? I am thinking of this as a possible business opportunity, and from what I have seen on the forum over the years, you all are pretty well in touch with reality - in case I am not!
Mike, so many projects are started and not finished, that I think it would be a tough business. You'd have to have a contract that you would own the project if the rent was late, and enough of a deposit to pay to put the project in the dump if that's all it's worth.

I've seen a similar idea in Newport and it was a failure and insurance in those days was easier.

[JimConlin]

... and real estate prices are very high in the boston area these days, so when applied to the long duration of most DIY boat projects, it'd be completely intolerable. Furthemore, standards for fume & dust control, handling flamables and machine safety are getting ever tighter. Such a shop would probably have to meet code standards. I know of very few DIY shops that do. The costs would be shocking.

[JimConlin]

... and real estate prices are very high in the boston area these days, so when applied to the long duration of most DIY boat projects, it'd be completely intolerable. Furthemore, standards for fume & dust control, handling flamables and machine safety are getting ever tighter. Such a shop would probably have to meet code standards. I know of very few DIY shops that do. The costs would be shocking.

[JimConlin]

... and real estate prices are very high in the boston area these days, so when applied to the long duration of most DIY boat projects, it'd be completely intolerable. Furthemore, standards for fume & dust control, handling flamables and machine safety are getting ever tighter. Such a shop would probably have to meet code standards. I know of very few DIY shops that do. The costs would be shocking.

[ssor]

The back lot of most marinas here have a few long term projects working. I know of one project that has changed hands about half-a-dozen times in the last thiry years and still hasn't seen the water up close and personal. As long as the owner pays the rent, the marina lets him stay. :rolleyes:

[ssor]

The back lot of most marinas here have a few long term projects working. I know of one project that has changed hands about half-a-dozen times in the last thiry years and still hasn't seen the water up close and personal. As long as the owner pays the rent, the marina lets him stay. :rolleyes:

[ssor]

The back lot of most marinas here have a few long term projects working. I know of one project that has changed hands about half-a-dozen times in the last thiry years and still hasn't seen the water up close and personal. As long as the owner pays the rent, the marina lets him stay. :rolleyes:

[Dave Lesser]

I don't know if the proprietor of The Little Boatshop (http://www.thelittleboatshop.com/news.html) is a forumite, but the link is to a web page about space that may be available for boatbuilding in Fairhaven, MA.

[Dave Lesser]

I don't know if the proprietor of The Little Boatshop (http://www.thelittleboatshop.com/news.html) is a forumite, but the link is to a web page about space that may be available for boatbuilding in Fairhaven, MA.

[Dave Lesser]

I don't know if the proprietor of The Little Boatshop (http://www.thelittleboatshop.com/news.html) is a forumite, but the link is to a web page about space that may be available for boatbuilding in Fairhaven, MA.