Small Boating or Sailing School

Parents booking lessons or summer camps, adults wanting to learn, and sometimes cottage associations or local groups.

Course fees per person, with higher income from summer camps, group bookings and repeat levels. Boat rental to graduates can add income later.

• Recognized instructor qualifications
• Teaching groups and children
• Boat maintenance basics
• Scheduling and bookings

• Commercial liability insurance and boat insurance suitable for paid instruction with children, which can be costly
• Check Transport Canada rules for commercial or training vessels, and the rules for your lake or waterway
• Check municipal or harbour requirements for running a business from a dock or waterfront
• Child safety: check background check and first aid expectations, and plan for weather cancellations
• Check WCB/WSIB requirements before hiring assistant instructors
• Very seasonal, so budget for the off-season

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your training boats, dock or club rental and insurance. Commercial liability and boat insurance suitable for paid instruction with children can be costly, so get quotes early.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many courses and camps you run. The business is very seasonal, so budget for the off-season.

Check Transport Canada rules for commercial or training vessels, the rules for your lake or waterway, and municipal or harbour requirements for running a business from a dock. Also check background check and first aid expectations, and WCB/WSIB requirements before hiring assistants.