The charter/party industry...

[tombanjo]

Originally Posted by sportfishingusa

Could you imagine if everyone got together and made a standard price across the board? or is everyone a little to worried about their abilities to do so?

?

Maybe worried about laws against collusion?

[sportfishingusa]

Originally Posted by tombanjo

Maybe worried about laws against collusion?

collusion would have nothing to do with industry standards, no one is lowering or raising prices secretively, they are not doing it in order to cheat anyone... it would just be a simple industry meeting to discuss where pricing should be and discuss how to make the industry better as a whole.. and remember, this is just my opinion!

[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.

[BWhaler23]

Ok fellas I've heard and read enough.... Time to through my hat into the ring... I've got a twin engine boston whaler cc with tipical electronics and I've had it inshore for stripers and fluke and offshore for tuna... got all my paperwork and insurance....I guess $100. a head for a full day more for offshore and will take it from there.... Now don't all jump in at once and lets go fishn'...


Capt. Pat

[SaltLife1980]

The economy is not that great so that plays a role too. Another factor is maybe some of the boat owners have less expenses.. Or maybe they have the finances to just do it for fun and not need to money to live.. The price has to cover your expenses.. so if a boat can charge cheaper and still pay the bills and make a little money then more power to them.. Like if a boat can charge less but fill the boat and fish say everyday they will make money because the lower price will add up due to the amount of trips the boat makes..