Tournament Charter expectations?

[snowranger]

I am fishing in my first tournament this summer and hired a local boat for our crew. When I negotiated the terms of the charter, I mentioned to the captain that I was surprised that he only made us pay for 2 of the 3 days of the tournament (fish 2 of 3). He made it clear that we had no obligation to pay for all 3 days.

Now it seems he wants us to pick our 2 days so he can book a charter for the lay day. I can understand his desire but how can we possibly perdict the weather months in advance? What if one of our days is a blow day? You can see the dilema.

What is the norm for this? Do people usually pay for each day? If so, do you actually fish all 3? Do you pay half for the lay day?

Thanks for the input in advance?

Snowranger

[TommyTuna]

That's why most charters charge u for the lay day as well, to get around scheduling issues like this

[trex]

Exactly! I'd go ahead and pay for the day in advance. That way there wont be any issues or hard fealings if the fish go ta snappin on the day you picked for a lay day in advance.

[GAW]

I assume the boat gets a cut of the winnings in your instance. Thus the boat has a vested interest in winning as well and picking the best tourny days. See if you can negotiate a lay day fee of $500 or so. If he won't negotiate a reduced lay day fee and the boat gets a cut and still wants to charter on your lay day, that's fine as long as you get to pick the lay day after day 1. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[TommyTuna]

Glenn,

That's a good idea - the one day charter, which isn't as important as the tourney, needs to be flexible on the date - not you

[TommyTuna]

Glenn,

That's a good idea - the one day charter, which isn't as important as the tourney, needs to be flexible on the date - not you

[ejf]

I fish a number of tournaments on top boats and have traditionally paid a 50% lay day fee......interesting though, my current tournament boat has told me no lay day fee if that day is otherwise unfishable (35 kt. winds, ect.).

[Reel Fool]

Every boat & every captain has their own policy. if you don't like the policy, get another boat.

The charter boat is running a business. they don't care if its a tourney or not. they need to work. when your company holds a contest, you don't forfeit your pay on the days you don't do something to be competitive in the contest, do you? you want the boat to be available 3 out of 3 days, then pay for the 3 days.

I would opt for booking the boat for 3 days. and expect to tip the mate for 3 days. if the boat is booked, the mate should be tipped. a mate does work on a lay day for a tourney. and more prep work for a tourney day than a usual charter day.

if you want to play in the big leagues, it takes $$.

[Anthony`s Ark]

book the lay day as well and fish it for fun

[TommyTuna]

[Q]Reel Fool originally wrote:
Every boat & every captain has their own policy. if you don't like the policy, get another boat.

The charter boat is running a business. they don't care if its a tourney or not. they need to work. when your company holds a contest, you don't forfeit your pay on the days you don't do something to be competitive in the contest, do you? you want the boat to be available 3 out of 3 days, then pay for the 3 days.

I would opt for booking the boat for 3 days. and expect to tip the mate for 3 days. if the boat is booked, the mate should be tipped. a mate does work on a lay day for a tourney. and more prep work for a tourney day than a usual charter day.

if you want to play in the big leagues, it takes $$.
[/Q]

Spoken like an experienced Mate [wink]

U R right, Jeff - tourneys are extra work, extra stress for the Capt and mate - better to go balls to the wall in every way, including getting in every calcutta!!!