Water ski club with your own tow boat

Local families, teens, adult beginners and returning skiers who want regular access to a boat and coaching without owning one.

Monthly or seasonal membership fees, plus per-session fees for guests and drop-ins. Event entry fees and gear rental can add extra income.

• Safe boat driving and handling
• Water skiing ability and basic coaching
• Organizing schedules and members
• Friendly with beginners and kids

• Insurance: check that your policy covers paid club activity and passengers, since standard boat policies often exclude commercial use
• Check your state's boating rules, boat registration and any boater education requirements for drivers
• Check whether the lake or county requires a permit for commercial or organized activity
• Safety: use a driver and a spotter, keep life jackets on everyone and consider first aid training
• Boat running costs, storage and the short season in colder states
• Forming an LLC or a nonprofit changes taxes and liability, so check with an accountant or your state

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $12,000 to $60,000, depending mainly on the boat you buy, plus insurance and safety gear. Remember to budget for running costs and storage on top of the startup figure.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your membership numbers, session pricing and events. The season may be short in colder states, and the idea is estimated at a minimum of about 10 hours a week.

Check that your policy covers paid club activity and passengers, since standard boat policies often exclude commercial use. Also check state boating rules, registration, boater education for drivers, any lake or county permit, and how an LLC or nonprofit affects taxes.