Motor Launch Company River Ferry & Cruises Business For Sale

Business description

A wonderful opportunity to buy a genuine niche market lifestyle business located in an area of outstanding natural beauty and having the benefit of both regular local customers and seasonal tourist support.

The ferry operates from Calstock a beautiful Cornish mining village located on the banks of the Tamar approximately fifteen miles upriver from the breakwater at Plymouth. The village has approximately eighteen hundred residents many of whom use the ferry on a regular basis as part of their commute to work in Plymouth and surrounding areas.

The business operates two boats. The main ferry is a beautiful twenty foot clinker built “Beer Lugger”. She has an eight foot six beam and is constructed of Elm Planks, Oak ribs and Mahogany trim. She is powered by a 30HP three cylinder Lister engine that was fitted new during last winter. “Idler” is licensed by the MCA to carry twelve people.

“Gloria” MCA Class V & VI is a thirty six foot harbour launch HL330. She has a carvel hull, is built from pitch pine on oak and is powered by an 80HP Ford engine. This boat is used for parties and private bookings and is licence to carry fifty people. Both boats are maintained to the very highest standards and are equipped with a full range of safety equipment, hired life raft safety jackets, radios and emergency flares.

The river cruises operate from early April to September and much of their business comes from the hundred and ten thousand visitors that come to the National Trust House at Cotehele located about a mile and a half downstream. The business operates on a published fixed timetable that is dependent on the state of the tide but means that the ferry operates from between three and seven hours every day.

Key Strengths:

• Well established
• Superb location
• Easily managed
• Well maintained boats
• Opportunity to develop
• Member of the local tourist association TAVATA

Opportunities

The larger of the two vessels is not used to anywhere near its potential. While there is a web site and a small leaflet there is no ongoing effort made to sell the services of the “Gloria” which is presently under utilised. There is an easy opportunity to increase the number of daytime and evening river cruises and parties by some effective localised marketing and this would add additional revenue to the operation.

Financial Information:

The business is being offered for sale on a going concern basis, all financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.

The business has meticulous “ledger records” going back for five years and prospective buyer would be able to easily see the passenger volumes and trends throughout each season. The business has an annual turnover of around £12,000. The smaller of the boats, Idler, has a market value of £13,000 with Gloria being valued at £30,000. The business benefits from a local government grant that is in the region of £3,000 per annum.

Property information

Location:

There are no premises for sale with this business.

Business Operation

Employees:

This business is presently run by two partners with a part Boatman, but could easily be managed by a sole trader or a husband and wife team.

Other information

Support & training:

The purchaser will have to have some degree of competence and expertise. The present owners will provide a full handover for a period to be agreed as part of the sale negotiation. They will also be willing to offer occasional assistance on an ongoing basis.