New Here and Looking for Insight on Starting Dive Charter Business

[Shrek]

Bottombrowser here, new to the MSScuba board and thought I would say hi.  Also, my buddy has two large boats capable of hauling divers due south for some fun.  Would any of you have any interest in this service?  He would captain, I would be DM'ing for him.  He's licensed and insured and I am a licensed Instructor.  Looking at around $150 a diver for a 2 tank for 4 divers.  Bigger boat could handle 6, but haven't hammered out numbers for it yet.  Sound good to anyone?  It sure beats running to Florida.

[jimdiverman]

Can you find blue water off Mississippi?

[ScubaLouie]

Welcome to the board!!  What dive sites would you plan on going to off the MS coast?

[Shrek]

Yeah, blue water is reachable, as well as green and brown, LOL!  There are alot of rigs and wrecks well within in reach of Pascagoula.  Some of the wrecks aren't well none and are easily reachable.  The vis depends on time of year, rain fall, MS River flow, storms, etc....  So in other words, one could be awesome and one day could suck.

[frankc420]

Welcome to the board!

Would you allow spearing on standard boat trips?

$150 seems a little high, but considering it's a 40-50 miles run to hit 100' that might be acceptable.

[Shrek]

Would we allow spearing onboard, ha, till the fish boxes are full or you are tired of pulling back your bands.  But so long as you spear responsibly.  I spearfish myself, so we could alway set up spearfishing specific trips.  Just let me know.

[Liza]

I am always interested in diving off the coast of Mississippi.  Please keep us posted as you iron out the details.  I agree that $150 seems a little steep, but I can also imagine that you would have to charge that to make it worthwhile--especially if you only carry four divers.  Would a three-tank dive work in a reasonable time frame?

[frankc420]

I am always interested in diving off the coast of Mississippi.  Please keep us posted as you iron out the details.  I agree that $150 seems a little steep, but I can also imagine that you would have to charge that to make it worthwhile--especially if you only carry four divers.  Would a three-tank dive work in a reasonable time frame?

Liza, that is a good thing to ask about the 3 tanks, if you are going to take the time to go 50 miles out, why not take 3 tanks and make a good day of it?  I would pay $150 for a 3 tank trip.

[jimdiverman]

The only problem with the three tanks, is that if they have room for 4 more tanks, maybe they could add another person or two?  and that may be the problem.. space on the boat.

Where would this boat launch from?

[Shrek]

Ok, to start answering questions.  As for the $150, that is the cost we came up with after checking the local area for prices on fishing charters and such.  We are going to be running at least 30 to 40 miles offshore unlike in Florida where your are 6 miles offshore.  You also have to figure in the the benefit of being home when you dock versus driving 3 hours there and then having to drive 3 hours back.  How much is that going to cost you?  I forgot to include that fishing was going to be provided during the survace intervals if the group wanted it.  Of course it won't be aggresive fish chasing as if you were on a fish only charter.  The reason we set it at four divers is for comfort, space and weight.  Also, I plan on DM'ing the dives included in the price.  If we have a group of experienced divers who know what they are doing and feel comfortable without any assistance underwater, then I don't think I see a problem with possibly going to a 3 tank day being I won't need any tanks.  10 tanks are heavy enough, much less 15 for a 3 tank day.  We just figured a 2 tank day with four customers would be a better working condition all the way around.  Believe me, if I thought 6 divers would be comfortable on the boat, why would I not take 6 and collect $900 versus $600.  I just like to err on the side of caution and comfort.  And last but not least, the boat would leave out of Pascagoula.   

[frankc420]

Schedule a 'feeler' trip where everyone just splits fuel.  Then at the end of the day let folks give you their opinions and suggestions.  Just my 2psi.

[mwhities]

Schedule a 'feeler' trip where everyone just splits fuel.  Then at the end of the day let folks give you their opinions and suggestions.  Just my 2psi.

I'll be your "feeler"...

[Caddx]

im getting back into diving again and would be interested on info on chater services .made trip to triple rigs about month ago vis was about 15 ft.caught seas smooth last sat and carried my poontoon out to rigs east of triple rigs and found vis around 15-20 ft and alot of spades .heading to flower gardens aug 25 but am interested after that date

[scubadowop]

Be sure to give us a report on the Flower gardens trip. I'd love to do that before the end of the year.

[TommyP]

Sounds really good to me! Kristi and I spend that in gas and food ,headed to FL.   
Plus the all the drive time would be almost nothing for us.  We may even get you to teach us about nitrox so we can stay long enough to really enjoy the dive.   But Kristi has to keep enough air to show me the way back to the boat.