If you are going to be a good consultant you must understand the need for quality, consistency, efficiency, and safety. Now then, I'd like to focus on safety in this article and use a case study of a boat cleaning business. I'd like to illustrate why it's important for consultants to know what they are talking about in the real world as well as whatever sector they are consulting in. Not long ago, a couple wishing to wash boats asked about cleaning boats from a pontoon boat platform. Here were my thoughts which I had passed onto them below.
If you've been around the water all your life and know how to handle a boat, then perhaps you might wish to consider cleaning boats moored at the marina from the water side. The reason the experience is necessary is that at slow speeds docking alongside a customer's expensive yacht or washing as you move along it can be difficult if you doing know what you are doing, or have not instructed your washing crew with the use of fenders.
It takes a little bit of practice to get used to the prop-walk (the effect of the propeller at slow speeds causing lateral movements). You should always have an abundance of fenders strapped to the side of your boat to prevent damage in case of mistakes.
It is recommended that you use a pontoon boat for such on-water washing as your platform. You should also have a third pontoon in the center which you can partially fill with water because if you you're your water tank on top, you can get into a top heavy capsizing situation if there is excessive wake. Additionally, you have to be careful if you have a couple of guys brushing from one side rocking the boat while the water tank on top is half-filled. If you do have a plastic water tank on top, go low profile.
You can pick up a used pontoon boat fairly cheap if you purchase it off-season, whether new or used. New pontoon boats may come with excellent financing with low monthly payments if you get a house-boat pleasure craft loan. If you order the boat without all the extras, you might be able to swap out those extras for an extra pontoon in the center to hold water or a pressure washer, tank, and extra fenders financed into the deal.
When it comes to brushing from the water side it makes sense to have ultra-light weight poles with 18' brush heads with soft bristles, you can find these at a janitorial supply house, these same brushes are used to clean custom wood flooring. Beware of telescopic poles because they flex too much and you lose your power. Rather it makes sense to have multiple poles of various lengths, and to have some sort of light-weight floatation device on the ends in case you drop them into the water.
The pressure washer you use should be small lightweight, with blue non-skid, non-marking hose, not longer than double the length of your pontoon boat. You should also have it on a reel, which has a lock on it, once you are through, the last thing you want is your hose falling over board and dragging behind you as it sinks, as it could catch on something as cause an incident at the marina. I recommend charging $1-2 per foot for weekly washing or soft water, or ultra-soft water rinse.
Generally I'd recommend that you get a powerful motor for your pontoon boat, nothing less than 22 hp, and perhaps a small motor in front for more precise maneuvering. You'll need a powerful motor to counter-act wake, or waves and to cut the time down while moving from dock to dock, but never speed in the marina, play it safe and smart, and remember your company's reputation and brand name is on the line, literally.
Now then, are you beginning to see why as a consultant that it is imperative to know your industry. You see, before I had talked to this couple they went to a local SCORE office to talk with a representative, who had really no marine experience. When I listened to the advice he gave them, I was taken aback. Yes, he meant well, but he didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about. Indeed, I hope this is a good lesson to all.
Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.
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