Howdy, who knows what you need for a dive shack on the beach?

[waterlunged]

Ok, I've quite a bit, new on the posting. I want to start a dive "shack on the beach" kindof a thing/ I have the boat, 25 foot open skiff, a small hotel business for the clients, and the caribean in front. A good spot to say the least. Now, I do not have nig bucks but I want to take out up to six people to dive. My experience is slight, more of a skin diver, but I fifure I'll give a free beer a week to a divemaster and things should be taken care of!
What I would like to know is how much gear should I get? I've gotten some gear package quote from dealers at around 550 or so. Is that decent for rental gear? Areis, that kinda stuff. The water is not very deep here, 50 feet or so. They suggest 8 sets of masks, bcds, etc. How many tanks should I get? Anything else I would need to "get up and go"? A compressor, of course, checking out Jim Sheldons good stuff, and a couple storage tanks. I am on a budget, so please!
I don't want to hear naysayers! So if you know or have done it, please, I would like the advice, but no sticks in the mud! Cool, have a good day,
Waterlunged.

 

[Wookie]

I have done it. Good luck.

 

[DennisS]

Getting that piece of waterfront land with a dock is my stumbling block

 

[waterlunged]

Nice to see some responses. I don't have a dock, but the sea is usually calm. If it is too rough for me I'll send them to the other dive shops. I'm just looking to take out my clients, a little plus for staying at the hotel kindofathing.
How much stock will one have to put in for a little dive shack? Compressor something else, of course. I mean, what is the bare minimum on needs to have to be able to outfit something small and simple? Do I really need all that much? I'm sure I could spend two million, but I don't want to make a million, just many thousands.
Ok, gonna see if there is another thread more to my line of questioning and maybe do a re-post there. Thanks again for your help.

 

[SailNaked]

thinking out loud:

Compressor - 10k
some tanks 6people +Dm x2 =14 + Spares maybe 20 at 150 ea 3k
some regs /bc / suits x 10 ~ 6k?
lead maybe 100# at ~2-3$

US? need a captains license.

Insurance ? maybe you already have it for hotel.

so maybe 20-25k go for it let us know how it goes and how long it takes you to break even, we all dream of something like that.

 

[waterlunged]

Thanks saily, I've found it really difficult to find this kind of info. I wonder why it is so if everyone has the same wish? They should have a designated thread for it.
I found a 6 cfm compressor for 4 grand-get some starage tanks on the side.
A shop gave me a quote of around 450 for a package bcd, they say it is durable for rental. Do you think it would be good enough? Roughly 700 for a complete set with good mask and fins.
twenty tanks? OK, you would know best, I was thinking around 15 before just to keep down the numbers.
Lead-good. I didn't know how much I should get
Down here in central america, don't think I need a captains license. I just say I'M the captain of this here boat! My hand tells it where to go, guess that makes me the captain.
Insurance shouldn't be much.

So I'm hoping I can get something going at around 15 grand, as I already have a skiff and whatnot. I am loosing business in the hotel because people want to go dive so they stay closer to the other dive shops which are concentrated on the other side of the island away from the reef. They could even swim right from my beach to the reef if they wanted to. I just feel I am not taking advantage of a golden opportunity, and if I don't I'm going to get left behind. Is there anything else you would recommend, or is that pretty much it? compressor, tanks, bcds, suits, mask fins and weights? Not too bad... seems almost possible.
If you think of anything else, please let me know, your advice is helpful, and to the NAYSAYERS, thanks for not writing anything!