STORE Enjoying the ‘Simple’ Life Thomas Lilley is a waterman born and bred. And if there’s anything that disrupts a waterman’s day, it would be something impeding his ability to be on the water he loves so well. That one individual thought – that all men should have access to the water – was the impetus for Simple Boats, an affordable boat rental option that makes the water accessible to every man. When Lilley launched his company in Oriental in 2007 he did so with that one small vision in mind. Now, with 10 boats in his arsenal, he has opened new locations at BridgePointe Marina and Fairfield Harbor in New Bern, in hopes of reaching out to an even larger consumer base this summer. So what’s next on Lilley’s business timeline? He’s hoping to launch Floater’s Grill as soon as the weather takes a turn toward summer, selling hotdogs, sausages, sliders, barbecue sandwiches, potato chips and, of course, Pepsi products. “Often you’re out on the boat and you just need a little ice, or a small bite to eat,” Lilley said. And he hopes to fill that gap as this boat lover carves his niches just a little bit deeper. “Sailboat rents start at about $10 an hour and motorboats, little center consoles, rent for about $25 an hour,” the entrepreneur said. “And that’s pretty much unheard of. My goal is to make this something just about everyone can afford.” Born into a family that raced sailboats, Lilley had been around a variety boats his entire life and knew from an early age that he wanted to do something that involved boating as a career choice. “And I just began listening to the people. I’d do my own market research. When you 26
New Bern Magazine
live near the water the conversation almost always turns to something water related, eventually,” Lilley said. “And the one thing I heard time and time again was how costly it was. Sure, you can rent large boats, but you have to have tons of money and you have to have tons of experience in order to captain one. That’s no good for the average guy who just wants to take his kids for a boat ride.” And in this environment, where communities are linked together as easily by their rivers and estuaries as they are by highways, Lilley was determined to make a difference. “I want everyone to be able to enjoy the water as much as I do,” offered Lilley. “If someone is unsure because the boat is different from anything they’ve been on before, then I’ll go out with them at first until they feel comfortable. It’s all about making it an enjoyable experience for everyone, no matter what it takes.” To learn more about boat rentals, visit simpleboats.com or call 252-617-1642.