ATT: CHARTER BOATS AND CHARTER POTENTIALS

[Notorious]

Gotta love the hot bite right outside the river/inlet front door!!!

[WAHOONBOX]

NOTORIUS......GOTCHA ON THAT ONE!!! MAHIS AND SAILS ARE AT THE SEA BUOY NOW

[MakoMike]

Marty,
I guess a lot of charterers don't realize how many times they have fished in a dead ocean because the bite was 40 miles away!

[captadamnj]

I have raised rates for this past season, and may have to do so for the '06 season. I am also willing to change rates in the middle of the year if I need to do so, provided that I have given pre-booked customers advanced notification or give them the chance to cancel if I do change the rate from that at which they booked. But a customer will always know ahead of time what they are paying and I cannot imagine having customers pay for fuel. It would give them the opportunity to dictate (limit) how far and how long you fish, something which is key to every charter captain's success. If I have to have a charter tell me, "we don't want to pay for the extra 15 mile run" and the catch sucks as a result, then there is a good chance they aren't coming back...regardless of how much they swear up and do it was their doing. I'm the captain, I'll say where we go and when we go. To give up that is suicidal, it is all you really have as a captain.

[Capt-D]

I was waiting to see how long until this fuel situation would heat up here at SFC. We have raised are rates as well. Marty, your idea works great in therory, but what about the chance of getting stiffed at the end of the day. Early on in the game the owner of the boat that I worked on had a charter that did not settle before the trip (he quickly realized how much of a mistake that was). As sometimes it happens, the fishing was tuff. We got a couple of small tuna, but not a bang up day by any means. Well the charter was not satisfied and tried to not settle the tab. Big mistake since the owner is a retired cop!

My point is that paying for fuel at the end of the day leaves open the outside chance that sombody can screw you (or at least attempt).

Thats the one thing that has allways touched a nerve with me about mate's tips. On slow days I will work even harder at trying to get fish. Just because the fish arent cooperating, I sometimes will get screwed by charters who dont understand how it all works.

-D

[Squidnation]

YOu guys bring up an interesting point. I use to charter quite a bit and have contimplated chartering more after I sell my boat. Just last year the bluefin bite was world class at the hambone and massey's canyon. About 33 miles from the beach. The charter boats were making a killing because they were charging full canyon rates for these charters. As a matter of fact I remember some captains claiming that it was their best year ever. Not disagreeing with your thoughts and ideas just makeing some observations.

As a business owner I certainly agree that money needs to be made or else their is no use in going into business (unless the boat is a tax shelter). I would just propose a fuel surcharge that is flat rated for a couple of reasons. THe customer knows that it is going to be part of the fee weather it is used or not, it will still be charged. IF it is used then their is nothing lost because the money was charged. if it is not then either claim it as profit or tell the customer you didn't use it and are going to give it back. I bet that would really through the customer for a loop. Imagine this conversation.
"well Mr. Customer we a good day fishing and we only made it to the Hot Dog so I am going to refund you the $50.00 fuel charge." I bet dollars to doughnuts that 75% of the clients would say "Keep it". And that customer will remeber that and charter the same boat next time becuase of the Captain's integrity.
Two yrs ago I was in Miami for a trade show and chartered the Miss Britt with Capt Ray Roscher. The winds blew up and the captain said that we would not be able to continue. We had already caught a few muttons and a dolphin as will as missed a sail. But it was an evening trip for Swords that we really were doing. When the wind blew up the captain said that we would go back in he said that I could set the rate. He felt aweful about having to go back in. I said that $350 was appropriated. He said not and gave me back $75.00. I was going to tip the mate $60 for the short trip but figured I would give him the extra $75.00. He would not accept the extra $75. He took the $60 and left it at that. I will always remember that and will always make sure to charter him when in Miami. That $75 gesture earned him numerous charters.

[Swivel]

it wouldnt bother me to pay for the gas i use, but i know a lot of people (most people) that would want to know how much they are going to be paying before leaving. i would suggest to just raise the price of the fair.

[WAHOONBOX]

GENTLEMEN...................

IF I THOUGHT A CUSTOMER WAS GOING TO STIFF ME.............WE WOULDN'T LEAVE THE DOCK.....SOME OF YOU GUYS.........ESPECIALLY NORTH DMZ, MUST REALLY GET THE SHAFT.............

SO FAR HERE,... EVERYONE'S IDEA IS MADE AND STATED TO MEET THEIR PERSONAL NEEDS......

AND ABOUT THE COMMENT MADE TO ME FROM CAPTADAMNJ..............YOU SAY YOUR CUSTOMERS DO NOT PAY FOR FUEL....WOW....I'D LIKE TO BOOK YOU MYSELF

JUST SEEMS TO ME IF I LEAVE THE DOCK TOPPED OFF AND MY SIGHT GUAGE AND FUEL GUAGE IS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE....I HAVE A GALLON PER HOUR METER THEY ALL LOOK AT..........AND I PULL INTO SLIP AND TOP OFF IN FRONT OF PARTY ....THEN ALL ARE TREATED FAIR............I AM DEFINITELY NOT HOLDING THEM UP BY DOING THIS FOR THEY USUSALLY SPEND AN HOUR TAKING PICTURES OF THE FISH


WHAT FUEL PRICE DO YOU GUYS BASE YOUR CHARTER ON NOW? DO YOU TELL THE PARTY WHAT YOU PAID PER GALLON PRIOR THE TRIP???? !!!

LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT.........YOU BOOK A TRIP FOR X DOLLAR WITH A SURCHARGE FACTOR..........HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHAT THE FUEL SURCHARGE WILL BE? WHAT IF THE FUEL GOES UP WHILE YOU ARE OUT FISHING AS THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US!!!

HOW IS "THAT" CONSIDERED FAIR TO THE CUSTOMER? HOW DOES HE KNOW THE "DIFFERENCE" OF SET PRICE AND SURCHARGE COST ???

IT'S THE DANG SAME THING!.............ONLY WITH MY IDEA ....THEY PAY THE TOPPED OFF AMOUNT ON THE PUMP!! AND A FLAT RATE FOR BOAT USE ,SALARIES TACKLE BAIT AND ICE! I THINK THIS IS WHY I LIKE THE BARTA TOURNAMENT SO MUCH............A MAN'S WORD IS HIS BOND.............WITHOUT ITHE AIN'T SHIP!!

IF THE PRICE GOES DOWN ON FUEL....THEN THEY THE CUSTOMER SEE THE DROP....AND SAVE...IF IT GOES UP ,THEN THEY STILL SEE IT AND I DO NOT SPEND GROCERY MONEY WHILE ALLOWING BRITISH PETROLEUM TO GET RICH


I NEVER DREAMED THAT THIS POST WOULD SWING TOWARDS ...."WHO'S SHAFTING WHOM"!!!! I AM TRYING TO ESTABLISH A FAIR WAY FOR ALL ON THIS SCREWED UP FUEL SITUATION

I EVEN FEEL THAT MOST PROFESSIONAL "TOURNAMENT" CHARTER GUYS WOULD LIKE TO PAY FOR THE FUEL THEMSELVES.............THAT WAY THEY CAN PUT IT ON THE COMPANY GAS CREDIT CARD ......THERE IS A HELL OF A DIFFERENCE IN RUNNING TO THE NORFOLK OR THE POORMANS FROM OCEAN CITY.................THINK CLOSELY AS TO WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY HERE

AND WHY NOT PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH HERE AND DEMAND THE FUEL COMPANIES GIVE YOU A SET RATE....JUST LIKE YOU ALL SAY YOU GIVE YOUR CHARTERS A SET RATE!!

OH COURSE....... I REALLY EXPECTED NO ONE TO AGREE HERE ON THIS ISSUE.............I'LL JUST KEEP LOOKING FOR THE SOLUTION THAT FITS MY CHARTERS NEEDS

[TommyTuna]

the margin for charter business is tight to begin with, now it is nonexistent. Unless the whole marina agrees to a pricing surcharge/strategy, u cut your throat to increase alone. This has been a good year trips wise but the fuel just kills us. Bad time to have a 55gph cruise.....

[captadamnj]

Wahoo, come on up, anytime. Whatever price I quote you when you book the trip, that is EXACTLY what you will pay when you get here.

When I say the customers don't pay for fuel, I mean I won't break it out as a separate line item. Fuel costs are built into all services and merchandise. For example, when my mechanic comes out to pay me a visit, I pay for his mileage to/from the boat. When fuel goes up, the cost to the shop is higher, but they don't charge me a fuel surcharge. The end result would be me telling them at what station to fill up.

People want stability. When I booked a trip in Jan. of '04 for a trip in May and Dec., I gave the people a rate, they sent me a deposit. When Dec. rolled around and fuel had gone up by nearly a $1.00 a gallon, they paid the same cost I quoted them in Jan. As a "businessman", I built the anticipated cost of fuel increases into my price for the year. On the May trip, I made a few extra bucks...which I then "gave back" later in the year. So it all worked out. No one felt ripped off early in the year, and I didn't feel cheated at the end of the year. It was a happy balance. I drive right by the fuel dock on the way out the marina every morning, so customers can see right what I am paying, and they can watch me fill up if they so desire to see how much I'm burning.

In my opinion, this is no different than how far you have to go to catch fish. Some days you can catch 5 miles from the inlet, some days 25. You just do it because you want to catch fish as bad as the party. What would you do when you didn't see anything at 5 miles, so went off the 25 miles and another captain leaves an hour after you, and voila, the fish go on the feed at 5 miles and he stays there all day. Now you get back to the dock and your customers are comparing notes with his customers, and despite the fact they know you burned more fuel, they question your decision making.

I will agree with you that you have an altogether different clientele base down there. I'm not saying your idea won't work for you down there, and maybe it will work great if you get a bunch of cappies together there. It's just not gonna work for me up here. Not that it's a bad idea (the only bad ideas are the ones left unspoken), just not for me. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss and debate alternative ideas as it is definitely the path to improvement.