Part time charter guys

[LurkerCharters]

So there is a cartoon making the rounds poking fun at part time charter captains, I happen to be one of those guys, but I am doing it right. I have been working with a full time capt. who spends lots of money on advertising and has a full schedule. He gives me all the trips he can't do and I give him a piece of the action. Last season almost all of my trips were from him, 19 trips to be exact. Just clearing the air, I know this is an area of contention, I don't want anyone thinking I am some hack who is just trying to get a tax right off. According to my accountant the irs loves to pick on charter boat capts. because some will start a business just to protect what the irs calls a hobby loss. Thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjYPMJxCtIo

[MarkP]

IMO, there is no such thing as a full-time charter cap in the northeast...

MarkP

[amarshall]

There's always someone who would thumb their noses at the next guy. The Florida guys would laugh at the most hardcore guys up here.

You're doing what you love. Who cares what other people think.

[Magnanimous]

Here is my take...everyone starts out new....if you do 15 -20 charters in the first year..good for you....the Captains that are doing over a 60 or so to over hundred trips all started with just a few in the beginning.....To me a full time job is just that...full time.. you go to work all year long, getting time off....etc....most charter captains haul their boats at the end of the seaon or when the weather turns for the worse....then they go and do something to fill in that time when the boat is all covered up.....then repeat the process again......

I have seen and heard other captains bad mouth another captains...ie..." he is taking food of my table.."...." who does he think he is..."....." he has a full time job, why is he doing this.."....well to that....work harder and build your buisness up...... I wish you the best and that you build your buisness up to the way you want it....and always remember...having an office on the water is not a bad place to go to work....stay safe,

Mark

[captdom]

I have not seen this cartoon, but MarkP is correct...not too many full time charter captains up here except for the few running winter bottom bouncing trips. Who cares what the other guys are doing or saying, keep your head down and concentrate on what you need to do and you'll never be stressed or worried about the "competition". I am of the mindset that personally, the more guys who try this chartering biz, the better I look.

It is all about getting customers on your boat, working hard for them, and doing what you love.

[cap'n nasty]

The charter business is not an easy job. There are plenty of hardworking capts who put the effort in and actually make a business out of taking people out fishing.
If you are worried about the tax man, then you are not a "legit" charter business.

[cappyD]

Got a great laugh from that...I love those skits.

Its a free country...not much else comes free though...especially in the charter biz