The Dive?

[Sinclair]

Unfortunately it looks like they won't be launching imminently. Their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/thedivelakewinni/) shows a video from two weeks ago which makes it look like they have a lot to do.

I guess mid-August.

What do you think?

[joey2665]

I agree, if they were just welding the stairs two week ago I would say a minimum of August 1st if they get moving.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by Sinclair

Unfortunately it looks like they won't be launching imminently. Their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/thedivelakewinni/) shows a video from two weeks ago which makes it look like they have a lot to do.

I guess mid-August.

What do you think?

I guess next year, or at best, a short trial run this year. It's going to take some time to staff up and train as well. It is (obviously?) a very seasonal thing, what kind of help are you going to be able to hire in August for what would then be an ~4 week "season"?

Something like this needs to be able to do its "shakedown cruise" by May 1st to be fully operational to capture the seasonal revenue, IMO.

[Descant]

I get the impression from their website that they have a chef lined up and for larger events they have a group of caterers/vendors lined up. Many DJ's and Bands are available, so there isn't a lot of training/hiring needed as I see it. The business issue is working capital from Columbus Day to My 1, 2019 when there may be no revenue. It is possible, depending on home port, to heat the interior spaces and operate without actually cruising. If they have AC, they probably have heat, yes?

[Poor Richard]

I was at WAM over the weekend and took a morning stroll with my daughter around the property. We meandered over to see the progress at The Dive and I was surprised at the considerable amount of work still to be completed.

Even with my curiosity meter pegging at 12, we did not board the vessel however I'd estimate there is a solid month's worth of work for a crew of 8+.

While this establishment isn't necessarily up my alley, I hope the owners at least get their maiden voyage in this season.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Poor Richard

I was at WAM over the weekend and took a morning stroll with my daughter around the property. We meandered over to see the progress at The Dive and I was surprised at the considerable amount of work still to be completed.



Even with my curiosity meter pegging at 12, we did not board the vessel however I'd estimate there is a solid month's worth of work for a crew of 8+.



While this establishment isn't necessarily up my alley, I hope the owners at least get their maiden voyage in this season.

Thanks for the update and photos. Awesome!!


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[strum]

Doesn t look like much finish work has been done?

Long way to go!!

[kawishiwi]

This looks like its on track to be the fanciest bob house on the lake. Anchor over a winter hotspot, let it freeze in place, drill a series of 6" to 8" holes & rent jiggin poles. Serve hot chocolate....

I am speeding up my 3 year estimate of its sale to a shorefront restaurant to that happening within a year.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Poor Richard

I was at WAM over the weekend and took a morning stroll with my daughter around the property. We meandered over to see the progress at The Dive and I was surprised at the considerable amount of work still to be completed.

Even with my curiosity meter pegging at 12, we did not board the vessel however I'd estimate there is a solid month's worth of work for a crew of 8+.

While this establishment isn't necessarily up my alley, I hope the owners at least get their maiden voyage in this season.

Thanks for the updated pictures. I have a feeling we will likely not see the dive out and about this year. While they may have secured help and a chef with ambitious hopes. Getting through all the regulatory issues, permitting etc. generally takes longer then planned. In fact it sinks many business every year. They also may have run into funding issues, investors pulling out etc. When things didn't happen as planned.

Bottom line is pulling off a venture like this is no small task. There is heart and soul being put into this venture I am sure. But heart and soul don't by much in the business world.

I hope that these people are able to succeed. I think it would be a neat business on the lake.... Although not to this scale, we have seen similar businesses tried to take advantage of the Party spots, by providing food over the years. This venture will show if scale was the issue in the past, or if there just isn't a workable model that will succeed.

Now I don't mean to imply past attempts have failed financially. What I am implying is that past attempts have not been successful enough to warrant continued service.

[Descant]

I think the solid money is in weddings and events, not selling hot dogs on sand bars. If they get out on the water in 2018 with a few ticketed events, bands etc. they will book big events for 2019 and be very successful. In the meantime, as mentioned above, if there is a homeport where they can just be a dockside night club in the fall, there can be some good cash flow and add to interest for 2019 event bookings. Tied to the right dock for Bike Week 2019 could be a great money maker, if they aren't already wedding/event booked. I see a lot of options here just because people want some thing unique.

[ITD]

Am I the only one who looks at that and has visions of it capsized with a load of people in it? I'm wondering if stability tests are required for it?

[Woodsy]

Its built on barge... similar to the Winni Belle. I am sure before it gets a permit to operate the MP will do a shakedown cruise and inspection. Just like they do on the Mount and the Belle every year.

Wooodsy

[Phantom]

What surprises me most is that the new owners have been totally "mute" on the forum ………. a great platform for them to address these "speculations", update their progress & intents, etc., etc...………..


Surprises me that they are (apparently) oblivious to a great marketing opportunity or simply choose not to participate - which is a shame unto itself !


Just an observation -- not a criticism or judgement



.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Phantom

What surprises me most is that the new owners have been totally "mute" on the forum ………. a great platform for them to address these "speculations", update their progress & intents, etc., etc...………..


Surprises me that they are (apparently) oblivious to a great marketing opportunity or simply choose not to participate - which is a shame unto itself !


Just an observation -- not a criticism or judgement



.

There are a couple of ways to look at this.... I think they are doing the right thing, which is staying quiet until the can announce a launch date, and maidan voyage...

Someone else mention safety concerns with capsizing. As Woody pointed out they will have to go through inspection I am sure, just like other commercial vessels on the lake. I don't know what this entails on an inland waterway like winnipesaukee. But on lake Champlain under Coast Guard jurisdiction it was an undertaking, including the boats having to come out of the water every so many years....... Having been build upon a barge, and presumably with adjustable ballast, I would have to believe that it will be fairly stable.....

As with anything... there are many what ifs.... What if the vessel looses steerage... whoops the mount did that and almost took out a boat house in Center Harbor... Whoops lake is low and the mail boat got suck on a rock.... Come on folks, this business is going to be insured... the insurance company is going to dictate safety standards to maintain coverage, and presumably there will be some kind of business loan, and the bank will not let the company operate with out insurance... There may be days where she can't leave port because the Captain will not believe it is safe to do so... But I believe we should give these people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to safety of the vessel, until proven otherwise.... The could have thrown something together and been out on the water by now.... instead they appear to be doing everything right, hoping for a successful launch....