Boat pooling

spazzok · Baitfish Rank Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 4 Total Points: 4

The cost of owning and slipping a decent fishing boat is tremendous. As much as I love it, it would be difficult to justify the initial expense and fuel and maintenance costs, especially if I don't intend to fish each and every weekend.

Pooling is a great solution. Anyone interested? Fishing boat or duel purpose, big enough to get out to the race.

I found a decent boat or would be happy to consider one that you have already. Eyes and ears tweaked.

Marc

aqualung · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:29 pm Post subject:

Pooling is great, until somebody takes a lower unit off or something.

I have a 19 1/2 that I have been out to in the race, I also have been in a 17' boat in the race at night, and slammed big bass, it is a matter of conditions.
I happen to own a 26' robalo also and what kind of insurance do I have that the person using my boat doesn't destroy it?

spazzok · Baitfish Rank Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 4 Total Points: 4

I see where your coming from with the damage worries. I wouldn't want my property at risk either. I'd want an ownership stake in any pooling arrangement which would include damage responsibility and issuance which I admit I have no clue about.

My experience with the ocean has been sailing vessels rather than fishing boats. I have minimal experience having fished the race and trolling on the Chesapeake Bay for Rock Fish 6 or 7 times. I'm hooked on it tho.

Surf casting right now with minimal success.

aqualung · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:08 am Post subject:

There may be some sort of leasing/co-leasing agreement that involves what you are looking to do, maybe a boat broker??
I have seen people in the past looking for the exact same sort of thing.
I personally would start out with a smaller boat that I could afford, learn the waters in that area, be able to come and go without a scheduling conflict with another party. That's just me though, good luck in your search.

There is some great salt water fishing to be had in this general area, you should jump on some local party boats or charters. Even though I have a boat to use I still like to jump on a head boat every now and then, especially for cod, but that isn't really local until the middle of winter.

Also you might want to post up in the "fishing partner" section of this board, let people know where your from and what kind of fishing you want to do, and a little about yourself. Enjoy Go Fish

redneckangler · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:14 am Post subject:

Small boat + charters. Another option might be what I've done. Having had a 22ft. center console for the Chesapeake in VA, the boat was sold when I went overseas. Being close to the water in CT, I looked into buying a new boat a few years back. I wanted something I could run in the Race or over to Montauk or Block on a decent day, 23'-25' CC. However, I almost always fish solo as I'm out all the time. Trailing and launching would be a pain in the ass. With payments, insurance, slip and fuel costs calculated in, I'd basically be tied to my boat for all of my fishing. I like to fish from FL to upstate NY. So, I opted to buy a 14ft./20hp aluminum for a few thousand cash that I can drop in the river or run around Niantic or Stonington reefs on nice days. Catch tons of stripers from spring through fall. For less than the total costs of owning/operating a bigger boat right now, I charter a few times a month. Slammed bass last week on a quick charter off Fisher's, and am leaving for some offshore fishing on OBX next week. Tomorrow I'll launch my little boat around 5pm, fish the near shore for stripers till later evening, grab a few hours sleep in my truck and drop back in at 4:00 for the morning bite before heading home. As my kids get older and want to go out, I do plan to get another bigger boat, but that will probably be another season or two down the road. This won't be the route for everyone, but just an idea that has kept me out on the water a lot. By the way, if anyone is interested in splitting charters, needs an extra, a mate who'll split fuel I'm usually willing to go pretty last minute.

spazzok · Baitfish Rank Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 4 Total Points: 4

Good advice thank you, I think I'm going to go with a smaller boat for now. Perhaps next year for the 22.