Question For Potential Charters...

[Deep C]

Now that I'm back in Florida I see lots of things changing around me. Two of them involve marinas. One involves the marina where Deep C is currently stored at.
Very nice facility in an affluent neighborhood. Relatively easy for passengers to get to and only a couple miles from my house. Those are the good things. The bad things though are their rates have skyrocketed and the other has and will continue to be that its six miles and close to an hour from getting out the inlet with no wake zones and bridges to deal with....
Now to the other marina where my skiff has been at for years. A place I have lovingly refered to as the "dump". Not as nice of a facility, in a fairly rough section of town, and about ten miles of on town type traffic from my house. Those are the bad things. Th good things are that the city that owns it is doing a massive flush of the trashy boats, a big general clean up, expanding their waterfront bar/ restaurant with live music, and its only about five minutes out the inlet.
I received some harshly worded form letters from them regarding derilict boats and insurance requirements and such. My boat is not derilict, is insure covered and already on file so I decided to go have a talk with the manager about the nasty tone of his mailings.... Turns out to be a very nice and accomodating fellow. He was applpgetic in tone and let me know that the city lawyers had drafted and sent the letters without even checking records. We discusssed improvements and things. He let me know that they would now be able to rack store me and he would love the Deep C to call that facility home. Very nice indeed.
So heres the question: Would you as passenegrs mind going through a slightly run down section of town to get to my boat and be just minutes from fishing versus earlier departures, longer boat rides and delayed returns?
There is the benefit of having a nice casual restaurant/ tiki bar to go get a cool one while I clean the fish. For me they are a touch more expensive but that would wash out in saved fuel if I'm running enough. With the added drive time from my house my work day would be about the same amount of time. I value your opinions and would love to hear your input...

[dman25]

For me nothing is worse than a long run at 6 knots before getting to fish. Now I grew up in downtown Blatimore so slightly run-down areas down scare me much. The upper class clientel might feel differently.

[Flatdog]

Numoro uno cap I think your mind is made up ! If your clients are true to you as as a skipper , they will walk on heaven and earth to get to were you are, as for having a quick shot at a bar, so what if it's ruff and ready, been in plenty like that, it adds to the adventure, sounds stupid but speak to the local chief honcho cook, and get him to bang out somthing just for your clients to munch on, crab claws or somthing, have the first three drinks paid for, (build into price of charter) while you sort the end of day cleaning, over this side of the pond if the mooring (slip) is awkward, meet at a pick up spot that is "nice" and away from those cussing pirate vagbond types' that you would not want to marry your daughter, but who as a man of the sea you get on with, why because you like them, and they are great mates and freinds, and "THEY" make the world work, on a day to day basis!!! Anyway bud, I would move! They are there for you (not were you park at night) not anybody else as long as you produce the goods , people will move heaven and earth to get to YOU!!!!!!! another way to look at it is SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE

[shoefish]

When I charter a boat, I could care less about the area that the boat is launching from so long as I know that my car is safe, and that it's easy to find. We all know that maximizing time fishing where the fish are will give you the best chance of finding that one stupid one that you're looking for , so saving two hours can be a big deal. I'd go with the second option and not think twice about it.

[Dog Daze]

Deep,

I went on one dive charter that had a long slow ride back like you described and I will tell you I would rather walk through the ghetto at night to get to another boat than do that again. As long as you have a good trip they will be back no matter the condition of the marina. Flatdog's suggestion about having the drinks and food waiting on them when you return should make them forget all about the condition of the marina.

[jayjysmth]

Gotta agree w/ everyone else.
I would much rather be in a not so fancy place and get to the grounds quicker.
Like stated above, your clients will follow you, at least the ones that matter.

[Deep C]

Seems pretty unanimous... I just have enjoyed having the boat so close and in such a nice place just gonna take some getting used to I guess...

[scotty2]

Depends on what you mean by run down, sir. Do you mean there are derelict vessels up on cinderblocks and various parts strewn about? Or do you mean I need my sevice weapon and my vest? If it is the former.......who cares. If it is the latter and involves putting life or limb in danger, I need not even answer.

[Temptation Sportfishing]

Not to worry Paul..... Scotty will follow you ANYWHERE !!!! .... haha.... OK I'm off to fill my freezer with flatties on the last G.D.MN day for us here!!!!!.... Scotty let me know if your or your folks want some fillets.....If I do well I'll send them over...

[Capt_John]

I'd much rather be in a not-so-fancy place to fish from. Especially if the fishing is closer. You can even go in a restaurant or store smelling like fish after a great day offshore and not get treated like you're some homeless bum off the street. You won't have to be in the usual preppy clothes,etc. to be accepted. Go to the other marina Deep. Sounds like it'll be great for you.