The charter/party industry...

[reefsquater]

The way it goes, like it or not, is that our economy is a free market one.
Getting your six pack license is not that difficult or expensive to do. Reputation goes a long way to price. I know there are some charters who command a very steep price. For some, it is worth the expense for others they say they are crazy to ask that much. I say if they can get it, good for them. I also say if a guy wants to sail everyday for less then what it actually costs him, good for him. He will probably not last long.

If you try to get together and set a price someone will take advantage of it. Did you see the reaction two years ago to the groupon buy one get one free trip a NS party boat offered? Well, everyone around was mad that there were people on his boat. " He's ruining the industry, no one is going to work with him, etc. I saw more people on that boat last year when there were no more Groupons then ever before. I heard him called in on a bite by one of the same guys that bashed him. Dock politics works in mysterious ways!

Also, Many people get started in the industry as a supplement to their hobby (I guess they like to take the fun out of it) A lot of guys just want to be on the water. If you are starting out, you want to work up your business. So, if you want to spend the whole day working to prove yourself and just break even, or even lose a couple bucks why not?
Doctors, teachers, policeman, etc...many own and charter their boats. They all started somewhere.

If you want to start an offshore tuna fishing charter do you think you will get 900 a man your first trip out? Or will you get 325 a man and just cover the expenses?

[PaulNreel]

Charter boats are no different than any other business. Its pricing is governed by supply and demand. If you have too many boats or not enough fisherman the prices will drop as captains make the economic choice of lowering their fare to increase their load. I have to admire the captains that go out with a minimum of fisherman where they may not break even. These captains have my loyalty, my business and I don't complain when the rails are packed. Eventually an equilibrium is reached where you have a balance of charters and fisherman, prices stabilize. As the economy weakens discretionary spending drops (less money to go fishing) charter prices drop, maybe some go out of business (a sad reality) the supply of charters matches the fisherman. But here is light at the end of the tunnel, as the economy improves, discretionary spending improves, the rails get crowded, prices go up and entrepreneurial mates become captains. One thing we should all do is take a kid (or non fishing friend) fishing. As they get hooked (pun intended) the growing number of fisherman will increase demand and maintain the diversity of charters we all want.

[sportfishingusa]

Originally Posted by PaulNreel

Charter boats are no different than any other business. Its pricing is governed by supply and demand. If you have too many boats or not enough fisherman the prices will drop as captains make the economic choice of lowering their fare to increase their load. I have to admire the captains that go out with a minimum of fisherman where they may not break even. These captains have my loyalty, my business and I don't complain when the rails are packed. Eventually an equilibrium is reached where you have a balance of charters and fisherman, prices stabilize. As the economy weakens discretionary spending drops (less money to go fishing) charter prices drop, maybe some go out of business (a sad reality) the supply of charters matches the fisherman. But here is light at the end of the tunnel, as the economy improves, discretionary spending improves, the rails get crowded, prices go up and entrepreneurial mates become captains. One thing we should all do is take a kid (or non fishing friend) fishing. As they get hooked (pun intended) the growing number of fisherman will increase demand and maintain the diversity of charters we all want.

Thank you.. well said!

[the1jonc]

It is not as free of a market as you think.

Cigarettes, "lowest price allowed by law".
State mandated milk prices.
Agricultural and Oil subsidies.
Bank bailouts.

[sportfishingusa]

Originally Posted by the1jonc

It is not as free of a market as you think.

Cigarettes, "lowest price allowed by law".
State mandated milk prices.
Agricultural and Oil subsidies.
Bank bailouts.

[makosnax]

With your logic it is non sense for party boats to charge 60 dollars. You create more business and return customers by offering a good experience at a fair price. I'll be damned if im gonna pay 125 to go fluking when the guy on the party boat fifty yards away paid sixty bucks.

[nancy corigan]

Originally Posted by the1jonc

It is not as free of a market as you think.

Cigarettes, "lowest price allowed by law".
State mandated milk prices.
Agricultural and Oil subsidies.
Bank bailouts.

Ahem-

Originally Posted by nancy corigan

sportfishingusa this is a free market economy in a way, I say in a way because some markets aren't, like when they do what you suggest, all charter boats should band together to charge everyone one set price that is called MAP pricing (Minimum Average Price).

That is evil to me as I like competition and the free market.

I sell on ebay and people always try and undercut other sellers by way of lower prices and thats fine if the want a smaller margin it's on them. I make my money and they make theirs and it's all good.

I live by how my mom raised me, worry about yourself and your business and don't worry about someone else'. You will retain a higher quality client this way.

[sportfishingusa]

Originally Posted by the1jonc

Ahem what???

You had an incomplete run on thought that I elaborated on.


Were you expecting a footnote or for me to write, "As brilliantly first mentioned by nancy corigan, ..."

now that is some funny shit. hahaha

[the1jonc]

Oy Vey.

Whatever.

Tight Lines.

[Treble Hook Jim]

I did not waste my time reading all the pages of responses but here is my 2 cents...when all things are equal, all prices can be equal. Not all boats are equal and either are captains or crew. I would gladly pay more to be on a boat that will get me to the grounds faster and has a crew that works hard. I was recently on a sponsor boat that was open for the day and the boat never went more than a couple miles from the marina, never burned any fuel or got the boat more that 8-10 knots and all we caught were short fluke and all the mate did was fish the entire time. Where as I fished the Mad Gaffer, and captain ray burns fuel, goes wherever necessary and will keep you out late, billy the mate busts his ass and as a result, I have since chartered his boat several times.bottow line, you are comparing apples and oranges... You are not going to pay the same price for Hyundai as you would a Lexus would you???