The 8 pack charter

[softcrab]

Money is the mother's milk of politics but diesel fuel is the mother's milk of charter fishing.

The charter boat of the future will be smaller, single engine, an outboard or small diesel. We can adapt.

The large twin engine boats which get you quickly and safely to the canyons will become so expensive to operate that the fees charged will be so high as to be out of range of 6 people to hire. The charter operations in the NE are seeing a falloff in business already. I was at the Ocean City Fishing Center for 5 years. At $1500.00 we were busy. As charter fees approached $1900.00 which was entirely a function of fuel costs, the calls for charters fell.

An 8 pack rule would help the larger boats. Smaller vessels or outboards will be impacted to a much lesser extent. Actually they will benefit as the larger boats sit at the dock.

Yes, this looks like a tough sell.

bigeasy

[softcrab]

I was thinking about bringing this proposal to the board on the NCWU (North Carolina Watermen United). If a responsible group comes up with a coherent plan it could be presented to our legislators and the coast guard. I hope that our government still listens to the citizens though at times I am not so confident of that. If the regulatory agencies find merit to a proposal, the Code of Federal Regulations can be changed.

I guess I have a selfish motive. I would like to keep my boat on the water. I expect their are a lot of other people who would like the same.

I believe an 8 pack charter rule would help keep some larger and more expensive operations in business.

bigeasy

[captcl]

That seems like a good place to start. So you want to change the liscense endoresement to 8 form 6 with all other things staying the same except for added saftey gear for the increased pass load. Did I get that right? Remember Capt your dealing with the Feds once the can of worms is opened with them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Good luck to ya Capt!
____________________________________________________________
Your not being selfish just trying to stay fishing.

[jbrob]

Money is the mother's milk of politics but diesel fuel is the mother's milk of charter fishing.

The charter boat of the future will be smaller, single engine, an outboard or small diesel. We can adapt.

The large twin engine boats which get you quickly and safely to the canyons will become so expensive to operate that the fees charged will be so high as to be out of range of 6 people to hire. The charter operations in the NE are seeing a falloff in business already. I was at the Ocean City Fishing Center for 5 years. At $1500.00 we were busy. As charter fees approached $1900.00 which was entirely a function of fuel costs, the calls for charters fell.

An 8 pack rule would help the larger boats. Smaller vessels or outboards will be impacted to a much lesser extent. Actually they will benefit as the larger boats sit at the dock.

Yes, this looks like a tough sell.

bigeasy

Sounds like a good idea if regulations require 6 or 8 pack charters to carry life rafts. Its interesting that commercial fishing vessels are required to have this safety feature but the standard charter boat does not. Having a family on board with small kids seems to me calls for a life raft which is now optional for 6 packs.

My guess is that there is really a gap between the inspected vessel and the six pack charter operation which includes everything from 60+ footers to 17' skiffs. NOw a life raft on a 17' bay boat makes little sense but on a boat that runs 60 plus miles off shore it makes a lot of sense. But if you open this can of worms expect the worst from the feds because I am sure they would like to get in to the act in a big way and every type of operation is covered in the 6 pack rule. My guess is that you would end up with an inspected vessel category not as stringent as the head boat type of deal for off shore boats and something less for inshore or bay type operation.

I guess the real question though is where did the 6 in the six pack charter come from.

[fishskipper]

My two cents which aint worth much, butI think that the problem with charters being down is from the economy..... Our prez says its good, but I don't agree! Not only are charters down, but also are reservations. Just last week reservations were off by 40%.Bad economy coupled with higher rates for charters and of course an increase in available boats is not good for our business.
Going to a 8 pack in my mind is not an answer... Holding her back another hundred can surely help. Not to many years ago most boats in this area were under 20 knots. Now you have to go at least 25 knots just to keep up with the fleet. Boats that cost under 200 grand have been replaced with million dollar boats.
Maybe to some, going to a 8 pack is the answer and I surely would not stand in their way. But I think the answer is in a stronger economy.
Middle America is in a financial crisis and thats where we get the majority of our business from. Until this country can stop spending billions of our tax dollars overseas and do something about fuel cost I can't see much of a change. I predict in the next few years there will be less boats available for charter.
Some have gone to inspected boats in this area, but the way I see it, it attracts those that could not afford to go otherwise. Maybe I'm wrong and I hope that I am!
Ok, thats my two cents, have at it!

[jbrob]

My two cents which aint worth much, butI think that the problem with charters being down is from the economy..... Our prez says its good, but I don't agree! Not only are charters down, but also are reservations. Just last week reservations were off by 40%.Bad economy coupled with higher rates for charters and of course an increase in available boats is not good for our business.
Going to a 8 pack in my mind is not an answer... Holding her back another hundred can surely help. Not to many years ago most boats in this area were under 20 knots. Now you have to go at least 25 knots just to keep up with the fleet. Boats that cost under 200 grand have been replaced with million dollar boats.
Maybe to some, going to a 8 pack is the answer and I surely would not stand in their way. But I think the answer is in a stronger economy.
Middle America is in a financial crisis and thats where we get the majority of our business from. Until this country can stop spending billions of our tax dollars overseas and do something about fuel cost I can't see much of a change. I predict in the next few years there will be less boats available for charter.
Some have gone to inspected boats in this area, but the way I see it, it attracts those that could not afford to go otherwise. Maybe I'm wrong and I hope that I am!
Ok, thats my two cents, have at it!

I think you have hit on the real issue effecting charter bookings. Anyway you look at it, charter fishing is discretionary money and for the backbone of the charter industry, the working guy who comes down with a few friends to fish once or twice a year, that discretionary money has disappeared. Gasoline for driving to work has taken most of that over the last couple of years. then you have too many people trying to take so much business. In every port there are two or three guys who are booked everyday or almost so every month, while the rest try to get the business that probably half the boats could accomodate which means higher prices which discourages more people.

The guys I think are going to make it are the folks with economical boats, sea worthy but not the best and brightest around. The fish don't know if you are riding in a 63' Paul Mann or a 42' Bruno. Plus that small single diesel burning about 20 gph is a whole lot better than those two C-32s drinking around 100 gph. Now there are some days you are not going on the 42' that you would on the 63' but when you really come down to it if you can't go on the 42' it ain't gonna be a lot of fun on the 63' either.

[cape_fisherman]

I think the cost of fuel is beginning to weigh on the 30kt crowd. I like the statement about having to run 25kts just to keep up with the fleet. Who cares about keeping up with the fleet? Leave a half hour early and run that 20kts. One of my best buds runs every charter at 19-20kts...and told me the other day he's about to drop his cruise from 1550 down a hundred turns to 1450. He doesn't care about showing off...that's for sure. When fuel prices go up he does what he can to use less of it. A day offshore out of Beaufort Inlet will usually run him 150-180 gallons on a twin engine 62' boat. Let the other idiots run 30kts and burn 250+ gallons...that's their business...who cares. When you stop trying to "keep up with the Joneses" you'll start saving a few dollars.

As with any business you typically have to spend some money to make a little more money. I "wish" the county would let me seat more than 82 people in my restaurant, but I can't unless I were install a larger septic system. Pretty much the same as inspected vs. uninspected passenger vessels.

Jay

[ocnslr]

The economics look good. For example, a boat that normally charges $1200.00 for 6 people would under this new rule charge $1200.00 for 6 with 2 additional passengers at $150.00 each. Now the boat receives an additional $300.00 but each angler now pays $187.50 rather than $200.00.

While I can certainly see the benefit of the extra $300 to the boat, the difference of $12.50 isn't going to make the difference on whether of not those folks have sufficient "discretionary income" to make the charter.

I have been on quite a few charters, and most were "right" with six, and would be a bit crowded with eight. Not worth it for a $12.50 savings, from the passenger perspective. JMHO..

As to easily moving from a "Six-Pack" to an "Eight-Pack", I think several posters have touched on some of the issues. As a licensed Master (Oceans, 1600-Tons) with a lot of time on those licensed "T-boats", I am not in favor of more passengers on uninspected vessels. At least not without some significant increase in required safety equipment and vessel configuration. As to the "Captain", let him sit for and have a 100-Ton Master's license to operate his unispected vessel that is now certified for eight (8) pax.

Brian

[trollman]

it is here now. the Nantucket Billfish Tournament (early august) i just heard has only 6 boats in it, usually many more come and it is favorite tournament each year on the island . fuel on the island is $4.85 per gallon now. across the sound in Martha's Vineyard they are askingt $2.89 per gallon. someone is F'%#&^ gouging!!!

this is killing eveything in my opinion.

[Bluewater Sportfishing]

it is here now. the Nantucket Billfish Tournament (early august) i just heard has only 6 boats in it, usually many more come and it is favorite tournament each year on the island . fuel on the island is $4.85 per gallon now. across the sound in Martha's Vineyard they are askingt $2.89 per gallon. someone is F'%#&^ gouging!!!

this is killing eveything in my opinion.

Yeah thats f-ed up how far is it to go accross the sound? the marina thats selling for 4.85 must be loosing money. Thats a shame.