Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Sub building business

[Ian Roxborough <irox@ix.netcom.com>]

Hi,

probably like every who has an interest in building submarines, I also
have thought about a submarine construction businesses (amongst other
submarine business ideas).  However my idea was more to do with creating
a life style I wanted, i.e. working around submarines (ain't much finer
than messing around in boats - work in them can be a different story).

After reading the Kittredge book (great book, ask for it for Xmas), it
sounds great.  To be honest, I don't care if the business went bust after
a few years, success or failure, either way it's going to be fun (hard
work as well of course).  I can't imagine there is any less of a market for 
mini-subs today than there was when Captain Kittredge was selling them.
A one ATM two person sub at $35,000, a one person for $25,000?  I could
imagine few people being interested.  Does anybody know how much Captain
Kittredge was charging for his boats?

In the end it could just be a way to get a tax break while building
submarines.

Happy Holidays,
 Ian.

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 20:23:50 -0500
"Hugo Marrero" <hmarrero@hboi.edu> wrote:

> 
> Hi guys,
> 
> While I have not been posting much lately, I have always kept reading all
> the interesting postings in this forum.
> 
> Just like many of you, I have been toying with the idea of making private
> submersible ownership available to the public in general. And while I have
> higher purposes in life, I have never really stopped pondering on how to
> make this happen. Since I see some interested in this, I want to share some
> of my thoughts to gauge the level of passion & commitment for creating a sub
> business.
> 
> The existing problem is not the product (e.g. the sub), but rather the
> market...it's a catch 22.... In order to manufacture and sell enough subs to
> survive, a viable market must exist. In order for that market to exist, the
> price of the vehicle must be competitive enough to keep sales coming in. In
> order to keep the submersible price competitive you need to keep your costs
> as low as possible. And in order to keep the manufacturing costs low you
> need a viable market. I am sure all can see the problem.
> 
> Also there is the infamous Lemming Effect... since the "Joneses" don't own a
> private submarine no one wants to be the first to buy that sub as people
> hate uncertainty. Once the "Joneses" brave enough buy their sub then is
> easier for the rest to follow.
> 
> Since it takes a lot of money to start up, is difficult to prove that there
> is a market to investors, and the record shows that most everyone who has
> been brave enough to start is either out of busines, have only built
> prototypes and have never progressed further or have never even got past the
> conceptual planning stage. Therefore is a very risky venture and extremely
> hard to get even your beloved rich uncle to lend you $50K to build a
> prototype.
> 
> Since a sustainable market for private submersibles does not exist .... a
> way to create a market for private submersibles from scratch must be
> devised. The question is... How in the World do I do that? This is the
> question that I have been asking myself for almost 12 years. To find an
> answer to this question I have dedicated hundreds of hours collecting data,
> analyzing business models, and studying the marketing schemes of industries
> that have contended with similar issues successfuly.
> 
> From this, I believe, in my own humble opinion, that I have devised a
> concept which may potentially create a market large enough to reduce the
> cost of ownership of a private submersible to make it attractive enough to
> spark an interest in the general public.
> 
> With this I want to add a peronal note. I am interested in this for many
> reasons, but the most important reason is because I love  submersibles and I
> truly believe that they should be available to the general public. Since
> 1991 I have had the privilege of making a decent living working with
> submersibles, and I can continue doing what I am doing and retire
> comfortably doing it. However, If I can make a decent living sharing my
> passion with others, and creating something of value for others, that would
> be much more rewarding than enjoying it all by myself. My intent is to
> continue doing what I love to do, and shrare it with others, while making a
> living and having fun doing it. The moment is no longer fun is the time to
> get out.... that is my personal belief.
> 
> I am willing to discuss this with anyone who is seriously interested in
> getting involved in it. My only requirement is that all who are truly
> interested in this must sign a non-disclosure agreement. If anyone is really
> serious about this, this should not pose a threat as it is a common business
> practice. If from these discussions enough interest is leveraged, it may be
> possible to form a venture which could be mutually beneficial (or mutually
> catastrophic) for all involved.  :-) These discussions could take place in a
> private forum online, or at psubs discretion, a private forum could be set
> up here.
> 
> What do you think? Post your comments online....
> 
> Take care,
> 
> Hugo
> 
> 
> 
> 
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