business on the beach/ partner

Nobody sells jet skis in bulk. I think they have them shipped from the States. Every now and then you'll see one or some for sale.

The public beaches (Magens, Brewers, Smith Bay Park) don't allow jet skis. The private beaches may rent concession space. Some marinas (Sapphire) lease spaces for jet ski businesses. Most resorts already have jet ski businesses on site. I don't think Sugar Bay, Point Pleasant, or Elysian have jet ski concessions.

You'd best do your homework on this as there are rules and regs., permits, etc. to be had prior to building any dock off of any beach.
You may be able to purchase a concession at the new Margaritaville but most resort beaches already have what you plan to offer and
the others that are public don't allow jet ski plus they are very loud and noisy.

You should plan on coming down and spending a couple of weeks doing research. Jet skis are very controversial in the USVI. That plus the hoops you have to jump through to build something on the beach (assuming you can get permission at all) make opening this kind of business as a free-standing enterprise difficult. A more realistic plan may be to contact a resort and see if they would be interested in you as a concessionaire.

Don't listen to these naysayers going on about how "controversial" jet skis are, because they are not controversial at all. I live on STX and frequent Rainbow Beach where there is a very successful jet ski operator called West End Watersports. I can honestly say that I have never even heard a jet ski motor start while sitting 50 yards away. However, I will say that it would be very difficult to start this type of business in the VI without having the backing of some sort of existing resort or marina and there is plenty of competition in this market already.

Here is a link to WestEnd Water Sports:

http://wewatersports.com/

They have found a way to run a jet ski rental business from a public beach without a boat ramp, so it is definitely possible to do so, at least on STX. You might try calling them to see if they might be willing to share some startup info with you - since you plan to be on STT and therefore won't be a direct competitor with them. At any rate, its only a few minutes wasted if they won't.

Don't listen to these naysayers going on about how "controversial" jet skis are, because they are not controversial at all.

Speak only of STX and not of STT. On STT their use is very controversial and likely more so than on STX because of the vastly different topography of the islands. The high elevation of STT results in the noise being carried way up the mountainsides, echoing through the peaks and that whining reverberation is intensely annoying to many homeowners.

As others have said, the OP needs to thoroughly investigate the viability of opening such a business here as in my opinion the market is pretty wrapped up.

I agree with what the others have said. I think once you get here and check out all the beaches, you will quickly see that what you are wanting to do would be a fools errand.

1. The beaches on St. Thomas are mostly small.
2. Most of the beaches have less than 20 people on them at any given time espcially during the week.
3. Magens is the biggest beach, but it has regulations up the wazzooo. (now if you could get Magens to go along with you, you might be able to eek out a small living, but even then it would be tough going just to recoop your investment.

If you are wanting to do something like this, you would do best to get a truck and set it up as a food truck and hit the beaches with it and make it mobile, spend a couple of hours in a place and then move on. People on the islands LOVE food trucks, their quick and most of the time cheaply priced food. I might also add here that you need to be a good cook.

Another job opportunity would be handyman work if you are familiar with different construction jobs and know a little about carpentry, plumbing, electrical.

Ah, we haven't had a good jet ski thread in a while! LOL Jet skis are not allowed in the STEER area which includes Cowpet, Nazareth Bay/ Secret Harbour, Great St James. Most of the beaches where they are allowed already have them. You also will find it impossible to build your shack on a beach. You might want to come down and visit or work for one of the water sport groups to see what it takes...

East, I thought exactly the same thing! lol. Let's see - jet skis, crime, government, WAPA, Innovative - have I missed anything?

The waverunners on rainbow beach stx are awesome and as quiet as mouse. I really want to buy a waverunner now. I wish you luck!

Ok ok. One I time I was there and my little cousin wanted to rent jet skis and we had a very hard time finding a place to do so. Obviously that need has been fufilled. Lol. Of course I wasn't going to just show up with $20,000 worth of jet skis and hope for the best. My plan was to talk to resorts first but they do seem saturated with jet skis. Mtdoramike food truck was another idea at the forefront as I have owned one before. Are you required to have a commercial kitchen that you prep out of? Is there kitchen space for rent by the hour? That is how you are required to work here. Anything I invest in will be after months of on - island research....I am just getting a head start. Thank you all for the good info. Jet Skis are not that loud!

If a resort doesn't have a jet ski concession or if you're staying in a villa, you might not see jet skis unless you specifically ask. Few are located directly on popular beach areas.

You also have to find a legal location for a food truck. Many have lost their spot over the last few years for various reasons.

No, there Ian't a commercial kitchen that you can use for a few hours. I think Licensing and the other powers that be have licensed food trucks as commercial kitchens. Every now and then one is offered for sale. I know of one that seems to have shut down and the truck is still there. Not the best location, though.

I know years ago, you could sell food right out of the back door of your kitchen of your private home. There was a lady living off of Back Street in St. Thomas near the Market Square and Catholic School who made several things like the Johnny Cake and Pat'e and would sell them. You would go down this path between two house and around the back to the open kitchen door. You told her what you wanted and she would hand you this brown paper bag that got discolored and wet looking from the cooking grease and it was like this neon sign of the goodness waiting inside. By the time I got some where to eat those pockets of heaven, my tongue was beating me to death. I can taste them now.

Jet skis at rainbow beach......., one of the reasons I avoid that area. Not only are they loud and obnoxious, they disturb the water life.

Interesting comment Sheiba...the Jet Skis at Rainbow are so quiet you can't hear them even while standing close to them.

And if people are in the water, are they not disturbing the "water life" too.

So...swimming should be banned?

I have a power boat already, but I'd sure like a couple of Jet Skis to romp around on!