It came to me in a dream....

[Blue_Runner]

Guys, yesterday evening I was thinking about funding for this boat-building project we've been talking about. I think I'm onto something...

First of all, we all love V20 boats. I also would think its safe to say that we all like to either fish or cruise, or fish and cruise. And we, collectively, do a fair amount of both. I know, you are like, "where is he going with this?".

V20Charters.com (Name is available - I checked ;) $10 on Registerfly.com)

Here's how it would work. We get a rep or two from each state (I got NC :P but I'll share ;D) to get their captains license to be able to run charters. We begin advertising online and other low cost/high effective channels. The great thing is, we could cover the whole east coast as well as about every type of fishing imaginable! All of our charter guests would have the privledge of spending a half or full day cruising/fishing on a V20!

I'm concerned that MJ and CB would be overbooked on the cod and fluke trips though :o We might have to charge extra for their charters ;D Just think MJ, you could stop selling fish and start selling you and CB's antics and fishing knowledge! Also, who wouldn't want to go on a striper charter with RAP on the "inland reservoirs" after that flattering article in Boating World about him and his boat??

Anyhow, we get $400 for half day and $800 for full day. We first cover our expenses, and use our profits to fund our building project 8)

Its all about getting paid for doing what we love! Fishing/Cruising in our V20's and meeting new people at the same time. We would really need to scrounge up a lot of good fishing photos for the site as a testimonial. With the exception of Stinky Hooker and MJ, our fishing photos suck on this site! We've got to do better (me included)!! I think we've got the V20 photos covered ;)

**Licensed V20 Captains Wanted**

MJ, am I dreamin or can this work?

[Vic]

Blue, What a great idea. That could work.

[Veeder]

How many Captains DO we have?

[chumbucket]

I don't know what the charter business situation is like down your way, but here in the northeast (Mass and RI anyways) is filthy loaded with the charter business. Way too much competition and there's no way you'd get close to that kind of money for a V20 charter. The people paying that money are going out on 30' + sportfishing boats that have a lot more amenities and comfort than a V20 can offer. I wouldn't want to spend the money to obtain a captains license then try to make a go at it with a V20. Don't get me wrong, someone with the right ambition could do it on the side up here even with a smaller boat with only a six pack license and do okay as a side business. But, the rates are considerably less.
I'd pass on this one. Sorry to say, but I'd also pass on the idea of building a business on the V20 production as well. I just don't have that kind of disposable cash to invest without the probability of any kind of substantial return and the possibility of a loss of investment.
Of course, this is strictly my perspective on these ideas and is not meant to imply that they aren't good ideas. Just not right for me. I wish everyone well that has the energy and enthusiasum to take on these kind of ventures though. 8)

[Seacrets]

Got mine. Be ready to spend about $1k for everything(license). In Florida you can get a small boat charter for $350 full day. If you spend $800 you get a 40-45' offshore boat. I'm located in central Florida.
Bob

[Blue_Runner]

So, to get $400 for half a day and $800 for a full day, all we have to do is install a fully stocked bar, small jacuzzi in the transom (instead of livewell) ac in the cuddy, full galley's gotta go somewhere ??? ??? Maybe we should flirt with the idea of widening the beam to say 10ft? :-/ ???

Guys, while there is a certain amount of seriousness in my ideas, I more less just like to thinking out loud on this board. We got a lot of different minds in here from many parts of the world and I think its cool to hear all different perspectives on things.

Now, about the beam, is 10ft going to be :-*enough? ;D

[Capt_K]

CB is right on the money.I have my license and try to get enough trips to cover my expenses for the year.
CB says there are a load of guys that have thier license and he is right. You want to get a license????Show the money,thats all it takes now a days. Just because a guy has a license does not mean he knows how to fish,and that hurts, when someone pays to go and all they get is a "boat ride " it hurts the guys that bust thier butt to provide an enjoyable day on the water.I think it is only a matter of time before the USCG clamps down on the license requirments.
I'll now step down from my soap box. Capt K

[Blue_Runner]

CaptK I hear ya loud and clear...but a fair amount of blame falls on the person booking the charter. In my opinion, if you are going to spend that kind of money for a fishing trip you should do your homework, certainly ask around, look online, etc. etc.

Anybody that ends up with an inexperienced fly-by-night captain on a "boat ride" - I have to say that its their own fault. I have never even been on a charter - but, I know exactly which boat and captain I would book it with if I had the decided to do it:

Rick Caton - The Free Agent
www.customsoundcharters.com

There will be no "boat rides" here. LOL

[Blue_Runner]

I know you like bottom fishing Stinky, so be forewarned. You might want to sit down before looking at this. Here's a little taste of Rick Caton and his boat - The Free Agent:


http://reelbuzz.com/fishreports/caton/images/P5100070.JPG

[reelapeelin]

Better pump some iron b4 bookin' that dude!!...

Oh, BR, ask Caton if he's got insurance on his rig and liability in case somebody flubs da dub...If I's charterin' I wouldn't shove off w/ out it...

I LIKE the idea of comin' up w/a way to finance the new V20, but this one sounds a little sticky...don't know where the $$ gonna come from, but I'd sure like to keep the IDEA at least luke-warm...didja notice it's been one of the hottest topics lately?...love or hate it, it does fuel the imagination...

CB, I know zackly what you mean...I ain't lookin' to retire off resurecting the V20...but if you can't dig up any bucks, we'd sure like to have your input and ideas... ;D...and really that goes for all on this board...

[Capt_K]

Blue Runner, You are right. However some times guys just cant resist a "bargin" and they get what they pay for, but it still leaves them with a sour tatse Capt K

[Blue_Runner]

Capt_K, your point is well taken too. It does hurt the really good captains to have such an influx of the "wannabees". And, there's always gonna be those folks that don't know anything about fishing that want to take a charter...so from that perspective, I do feel for you other captains out there that are out there doing it for a living.

By the way Capt, do you charter a V20? How bout some pics dude? ;D

[Capt_K]

Blue Runner, I charter in the bay( Narragansett ) on the V20 and Block Island on board my partners 23 Sea Craft. He is a fire fighter and some times can not meet his chaters, so I take them. Capt K

Pictures ????? I do well to E- Mail, at some point I will try to have some one post some pics.

[mirage2521]

Got a 1600 ton Masters, here with an oceans, and sailing endorsement with Master of Towing. The charter market here in Panama City is as cut throat as you could ever imagine, most of the guys do part time work between trips to make ends me, thats is except for the biggest operations, 40-60 boats. Very tough business takes years to establish a reputation and build a business.

[Blue_Runner]

I've always said if I didn't have a family I'd move to the coast and start my own operation. Hey, I'd rather be fishing and barely gettin by than working and barely gettin by - ANYDAY! :P

[Pipe_Dream]

I'm not so sure . . . I have a buddy that used to captain a charter fishing boat and said he'll never do it again due to the clientele. He said it was rare to get a decent fisherman aboard that didn't whine and complain most of the trip.

[Blue_Runner]

Pipe, I listen to people whine and complain all day at work....one of em is me! ::) I'd still rather be fishing!

[Stinky_Hooker]

I know you like bottom fishing Stinky, so be forewarned. *You might want to sit down before looking at this. *Here's a little taste of Rick Caton and his boat - The Free Agent:


http://reelbuzz.com/fishreports/caton/images/P5100070.JPG




NICE!!!! :o