What’s Up with the Cost of Your Charter?

On most charter boats, up to six can go out… yet if you look at our rates you’ll see our rate is for four people, additional for a fifth and sixth passenger.

We went to this pricing structure in 2021 for a few reasons and it’s not uncommon in the industry, but uncommon in our harbor.

So… what are those reasons?

1. It’s just more comfortable. While our boat is a great size, we run with a captain AND first mate. No matter how you look at it, the quarters are close even when you’re outside. A rod goes off and you need to get to it quickly… sometimes two and three rods are going off. It’s just easier to manage with four or fewer passengers. But if you have six, it’s doable and been done hundreds of times.  But Captain / First Mate Rickey likes to jump around and cheer for the fish – and four gives him room to dance, with soft-soled shoes of course.
   1. Six people is 50% more than four people which means 50% more use/wear and tear on everything (I knew that statistics class would come in handy!)
2. Do you know what B.O.A.T stands? Have you met my husband, Captain Kevin?
   1. Break Out Another Thousand
   2. PERFECTIONIST (and let me tell you ladies, those husbands are not cheap!)
3. But seriously, there are so many costs that go into running a charter boat like:
   1. Slip Fee
   2. Fuel – have you seen the cost of that lately? We USED to be an average of $150 for one trip. I don’t even want to speculate on this year (insert crying emoji here).
   3. Maintenance – you think your car needs oil changes frequently? Imagine two 454s with frequent oil changes and other maintenance – this means 16 spark plugs, two sets of plug wires, two cap and rotors, FILTERS, so many FILTERS, oh and all that oil!
   4. Insurance
   5. Boat registration like plates on a car
   6. Registration/fees/inspections with Indiana AND Michigan
   7. Ice, meat (bait)
   8. Rods, tackle, reels – did you know one little shiny spoon is $7.99! and fisherman love to have 50 of each in case for some reason that spoon is hot that day and every rod and every rod of every other man seems to need one… and fishing line including copper and lead… they may as well make them of gold… sigh
   9. Paying captain and first mate
   10. Boat Cleaning – oh wait, that’s free because that is me
   11. Credit Card fees
   12. Off season things like towing the boat, shrinkwrap and storage
   13. Boat prep – paint and buffing
   14. And well if anything breaks or goes down, it’s simply not cheap. See BOAT meaning above.
4. Fire Drill is built for comfort and safety. We have SeaDek flooring so it’s like standing on a nice floor mat. We have three Simrad screens to help find the fish, have radar for detecting things nearby and weather radio for those storms that pop up on a whim.
5. We have Rickey! This guy has been fishing since before my husband and I were born. A true fish whisperer.
6. But Captain Billy Bob from Acme Charters is cheaper
   1. Cool! You do you. DO NOT feel bad if our rates are not in your wheelhouse. We all have a budget. That’s why I drive an old Jetta station wagen with a dent from Bambi’s dad and not a Land Rover. If you need help finding a good captain within your budget, give me a shout. I’m happy to help. I also know personalities so can typically suggest who works well for you. Also, there are smaller boats in nearby harbors who cost significantly less because they cannot hold more than 3 or 4. The boats are still good size, they just may not have bathrooms but the captains are top notch fisherman and they are great options for couples.
7. Our fishing trips are about the experience. Sure you’re out there to fish, but it’s about being out with the people you enjoy. Some have a fishing trip as a bucket list. They may only do it once in a lifetime… it’s often hard to get people together on the same day… so they save up for that one big trip.
8. And I’m ending on my favorite number -8! I just want to say DON’T GO INTO DEBT for a fishing trip. If $100 more for a trip with us doesn’t work for you and will cause you to break out the credit card over cash in hand, let me suggest someone. At the end of the day, just get out on the water, let the shore sail away from you and hey, fish on!!