Proliferation of "charter" boats

[trollman]

Well, this will probably piss somebody off, but I have been holding back on this one for a while. And I don't think I have pissed off many people really good on this site yet.

Seems like more and more "charter" boats are popping up, here in NC and everywhere else.

I am an owner operator of a charter boat, it is what I do for a living.

Seem like every year there are more and more "charter" boats, most owned by folks that make their living doing something other that fishing, and are only doing it to defray the cost of thier "hobby"

I really can't fault them, our federal tax system has fostered this proliferation making in favorable to own and expense out a boat in the for hire business.

I don't blame them, I use the tax laws to my advantage as well.

Often these "charter boats" are small outboards, attempting to run offshore trips. In other cases they are big fancy yachts that run a few charters to write off the boat.

Often too, and I am not picking on anyone in particular, the Captains are less than prudent mariners that go when they should not, or are not good fisherman or boat handlers. Lets face it, anyone with a $1000 and a week of time free can get a Captain's License (yes it is how I got mine, many years ago, it was the easiest way)

I would like to see a couple of things happen.

I would like to see these new charter boats price themselves fairly, even a little higher than the man trying to make a living running a boat. Often this is not the case.

I would like to see the State of NC, put a moritorium of For Hire Permits, much like they did several years ago for the Standard Commercial Fishing License, or as it was called the "endorsement to sell". Perhaps an income requirement (such is the case for my King permit) where you would have to show actual charter and commercial fishing income as a percent of total income to get the permit. This would protect the resource, from possible overfishing (I know Hook and Line Recreational fishing is a small factor) and would protect the industry.

Everyone had to start somewhere, and I did too, the first bite me was a Sea Craft 23, the second was a 30' BC express, but I always, was priced fairly, and never attempted to do something the boat and my crew should not.

Anyway, had to get that off my chest.

Your thoughts?

and I appoligize to anyone who takes offense, alot of gross generalization here.

or anybody, how do we reconcile this "proliferation" thread with a very recent thread on this same subject re: charters going out of bizness? both cannot be true.

Most Charters Out of Business

[cape_fisherman]

Being self-employed I can understand the point of the original post, but don't feel anyone has the right to limit others that want to enter into the same line of business.

I've seen other businesses similar to mine come and go over the years. Every time one opens up in this small area I chose to live in it takes away from my own business. Never have I yelled that we should stop entry into this line of business. That wouldn't be fair.

That wouldn't be fair...interesting. Some think it's not fair for part-timers to charter while in reality it wouldn't be fair to say part-timers CAN'T charter. That's the reality of it.

I mean...in my opinion...if you went after part-timers...then I feel you should also go after those that don't own their own boat. No THAT would be very unpopular...but it really is the same as saying the guys who have another job can't charter fish.

I mean really...how many charter fishermen have a second job? How many commercial fish? How many have side careers? Would that make them ineligible to charter fish because they have another job as well?

No, I think you have to accept competition in whatever form it comes at you. Suck it up, perform at your best, and continue on with your business.

Jay

[RiffRaff]

I am not sure how the "reduced" rate came up, but my intent would not be to offer a charter at a reduced rate. When I use the term "offset" expenses, I mean all of the expenses associated with owning my boat including and a possible a tax break (I don't need a lecture on if or how I may get a break if I show a loss, thanks). I would never run a trip that is below market price, that does not make sense at all.

It is very interesting that I get several pms that reinforce what I am saying, but very few support their ideas in this thread!

[Dozer]

hey guys, great thread. I am not a charter capt., but I do have a small side business. I can totally understand where the full time, rely on this money to live attidude comes from. My side business happens to be the same as my full time job, and the same as many of my friends businesses. I fully understand about the costs associated with operating full time versus a "weekend warrior", which is why I make sure to never undercut a job just to get it. I can't tell you how many jobs I have lost because I refuse to drop my price. I feel that doing that only hurts the industry overall. With that being said, I think that everyone has the right to go out and try to make some extra money, what ever their reasons are. The reality is that we can all use it. I am very good at what I do, and it hurts me to see all of the "hacks" as I call them, go out and get jobs based on price alone. I have so much respect for all of the full time charter capts. out there. I am always amazed to see the amount of fish at the docks day in and day out. Like many people have already said, the professionalism you guys display will win out in the end. Hopefully sooner then later. Good luck with all of your businesses.

[waterman482]

Yeah Im sorry but i still stand by what i stated earlier as far as the whole professional versus ametuer! for the most part there is a large percentage of part timers out there running charters that do not have the experience to have paying customers trusting them with there safety and well being! not only that but the coast guard needs to rethink their days at sea requirements! i see people who get their capts license and flat out bullshitted their days at sea i mean we are talking 20 days a yr over the past 5 yrs and somehow they pull off enough time to get a masters ticket! sorry but that is bullshit the coast guard needs to check into the days at sea requirements alot more there is way too much fraud going on there! if they do that you wouldn't see a 1/4 of the capts that you see now