The charter/party industry...

[Gerry Zagorski]

Some good dialog here.... I would have bet big money this post was going to get ugly quick. Nice to see everyone is being level headed and civil. Hope I just didn't jinx myself

As far as I'm concerned water always seeks it's own level. That is to say in a free market ecomomy things take care of themselves. Boat owners and their patrons make their own choices and sooner or later there is a bottom and top established and most settle somewhere in the middle.

The guys at the top enjoy and likley deserve a premium, if not they won't have customers.... Guys at the bottom are looking for volume or maybe to establish themselves but if they don't charge enough, sooner or later it's a going out of business proposition.

[GDubya07]

I go based on experiance not so much the price. I am just lucky people let me on there boat

Go with whatever you can afford and what you are comfortable with.

There will always be a price war in any business

I like both party and charter boats and have personal favorites for all different reasons

GDubs-

[Capt Sal]

Compared to out of state NJ is way less $$$ to charter!

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Capt Sal Cathy Sea Charters

Compared to out of state NJ is way less $$$ to charter!

As much as I love fishing, that is why I can't see myself traveling out of state. By the time you calculate expenses you could take yourself and you spouse on a vacation to the Caribeaan. Just saying...

[The Bill TM]

I chalk it up to different strokes for different folks. I like to go fishing based on experience of the boat but some of my friends want a nicer boat with good beer and only have to reel a fish in once then go back to drinking. Some of my other friends never came fishing before and want to go on a boat that caters to fishing noobs. I also know someone down in Florida who just got his 6 pack and intentionally charges less than he can make a profit off of just so he can get experience(he obviously lets the clients know this when they book).

My point is that I think variety is not a bad thing when it allows diverse groups of people with different agendas and financial limits to find something more custom tailored to what they are looking for.

[jerseyhunter]

I like Gerry's post he spot on. That being said I always believed that you get what you pay for and after all these years I find my self being wrong. I am in my own business and mostly out of work due to the economy . But my prices are low, the workmanship good and my saying now is "some money is better than no money" So I believe if a Capt'n runs an open boat or needs to fill some spots they should cut the fare to draw in customers and more than likely repeat customers. I enjoy charters but also head boat. JMO.

[Andreas Toy]

Great thread Vinnie. I feel that at the end of the day the consumer has many options. Due to a variety reasons they choose what charter/party boat option is best for them. Andreas Toy has been around for 12 years averaging 100 charters per year with repeat customers. As far as Andreas Toy is concerned we are not the lowest fare on the block for charters and do not offer open boat inshore trips. However, we make it up on longer days, mixed bag variety and commitment to our customers. I do truly believe that the end of the day the cream always rises. Those captains that choose to offer lower a lower fare have their reasons, and yes could be considered price gouging because they do not know better, but it will be a tough situation over time for them having to deal with challenges detailed below. I Wish them luck moving forward.

1.Kick ass Capts with a long history that usually find fish.
2.Fast or comfortable boats depending on your desires.
3.Network of reputable Capts that are always on the bite.
4.Rising Insurance fees,slips costs,boat maintenance, and high-end equipment
5.Regulation fish retainment limits that make no sense.

[Fish Tank]

since my name was brought up concerning this ridiculous controversy over pricing, i feel i have to speak my mind. first, i want to make it perfectly clear i wish only the best for my comrades who are involved in the charter and party boat industry. nobody, i repeat ,nobody is going to dictate how i run my business. my prices are set for one purpose, to take care of my patrons most of whom have been with me for over twenty years. these folks are hard-core fishermen and need to fish every week. they are mostly blue collar workers and i am not going to price them out of their passion for what we love to do. when you get on any boat that i run you can expect a clean and well equipped craft and great service. regardless of price you can bet you will receive 110 percent from my crew and me. yes, you will be rigged up, fish cleaned and anything that contributes to a great day on the water. most of all, more often than not, i will put you on the meat! any doubts, give me a shot. sincerely, capt. tom joseph

[O'Connor]

Originally Posted by Andreas Toy

Great thread Vinnie. I feel that at the end of the day the consumer has many options. Due to a variety reasons they choose what charter/party boat option is best for them. Andreas Toy has been around for 12 years averaging 100 charters per year with repeat customers. As far as Andreas Toy is concerned we are not the lowest fare on the block for charters and do not offer open boat inshore trips. However, we make it up on longer days, mixed bag variety and commitment to our customers. I do truly believe that the end of the day the cream always rises. Those captains that choose to offer lower a lower fare have their reasons, and yes could be considered price gouging because they do not know better, but it will be a tough situation over time for them having to deal with challenges detailed below. I Wish them luck moving forward.

1.Kick ass Capts with a long history that usually find fish.
2.Fast or comfortable boats depending on your desires.
3.Network of reputable Capts that are always on the bite.
4.Rising Insurance fees,slips costs,boat maintenance, and high-end equipment
5.Regulation fish retainment limits that make no sense.

With all due respect, price gouging has nothing to do with being the lowest price in the market. An example of price gouging would be charging $15 a gallon for gas after Sandy.


Others that mentioned competiting businesses sitting down and setting prices would be an example of collusion.


It is a tough life with long hours. You choose to be a captain for a living you have to deal with intense competition, changing regs, weather, no benefits etc, etc. One of the best captains I know is in his 30's and still lives with his parents. Sad, but true. I do not think another few hundred a day will solve the problem.

[Andreas Toy]

O'connor, should be in a Northeast Charter-Party boat Captains-Business owners shoes and you would understand. Price-gouging maybe the wrong term used, pardon my use of words. I'm all for competition, but there are unfortunately some guys that are out as a hobby, but customers will figure that out in time.