Small boat and tinnie hire
Hire out tinnies and small motor boats from a jetty or boat ramp base to visitors and anglers.
- A$20k-100k
- Part-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A hire base at a marina, river, lake or coastal town renting small powered boats such as tinnies and pontoon boats, with lifejackets, safety gear and a briefing before each hire.
Your first three steps
- Check with your state's marine authority what rules apply to hire boats and the people who hire them
- Find a jetty, ramp or waterfront site and talk to the owner or council about leasing or a permit
- Price a small fleet, a trailer and insurance, and test demand by checking local holiday hire prices
Who pays
Holidaymakers, families, fishing visitors and groups on short breaks.
How it makes money
Half-day and full-day hire rates per boat, with extras like fishing gear, fuel and crab pots. Peak earnings in holidays and long weekends.
Skills that help
- Boating experience and basic maintenance
- Clear safety briefings
- Booking and fleet organisation
Watch out for
- State rules on hire and drive boats, licensing of hirers and vessel survey or registration, check your state's marine authority
- Marine and public liability insurance suited to hire vessels
- Lease or permit conditions for your waterfront site
- Maintenance, fuel and breakdown costs
- Risk of accidents and damage, so keep a thorough briefing and checklist
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: small boat and tinnie hire
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a tinnie hire business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on the size of your fleet, safety gear and waterfront site. Ongoing maintenance, fuel and breakdown costs are also worth budgeting for.
What licences or rules apply to hiring out boats in Australia?
Check your state's marine authority for rules on hire and drive boats, licensing of hirers and vessel survey or registration. Also check lease or permit conditions for your waterfront site, and arrange marine and public liability insurance suited to hire vessels.
How much can a small boat hire business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on location, fleet size and demand. This is revenue, not profit, as maintenance, fuel and breakdowns add costs. Hours are typically from about 25 per week.
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