Greetings from Baymen Charters!

Today, I have to be the bearer of bad news. Current gasoline and oil prices to run my boat for charters has gone up $67.35 per charter over last season, and there is no end in sight. My business insurance, attorney fees, and truck insurance have all also increased. The annual maintenance costs for my boat, engine, trailer, gear, rods, reels, and tackle have also all gone way up under the new administration, as have shortages and availability of products and services on demand.

I have not increased my charter rates and guide services fees in many years. But with the current inflation and cost increases in goods and services across the board, including fuel and oil, I have no choice but to raise my charter rates.

To put a few things in perspective, I had planned on replacing my current guide boat with a new guide boat for 2022 – almost an identical boat to the current boat I am using. The 2022 cost is $66,000 plus tax/delivery/prep to replace my current guide boat! Date of delivery is a minimum of three months and no custom features can be added – stock factory boats only.

To replace my current truck I use in my business to haul my boat and gear is $55,000 plus tax/delivery/prep, factory orders only – and get this – one year delay in delivery – IF you can get on the order list. I actually called to order a new Ford 150. The dealership told me Ford stopped taking orders on the model I wanted because they had 200,000 orders for 2022 and did not have the employees or facilities to handle any more orders! I said to myself, this can not be true, and called Ford Motor Company direct and spoke with them. They told me it is indeed true. If I order a new truck, I can’t get a 2022 – only a 2024, and they will not start taking new truck orders until the launch of 2024 in fall of 2023, for the model I want. To prove this point further, a good friend of mine ordered a new Ford Platinum over one year ago and he is still waiting on his new truck!

So, I have decided to overhaul my current boat. Hull is rock solid, but center console and engine are beat and being replaced, and the trailer is getting an overhaul as well (I trailer my boat every day to and from work). I also plan to keep fixing up my current truck that has seen better days, but I still love it and it has given me almost no trouble in 18 years. And there is nothing I can do about the cost of safety gear, fishing tackle, etc., so everything is getting replaced with all new safety gear, fishing gear, and equipment on the boat for the start of the 2022 season!

The cost of Baymen Charters are going up but I will try to keep the cost of my trips down as much as I can. Shakedown cruise is April 15th, maybe sooner, as most of the work is already completed. The new engine and console are beautiful, the hull and deck are rock solid. It truly looks and feels like a brand new boat!

I know my clients are going to love all the upgrades for the new season. They might even catch a few extra fish ;o) I will post pictures of the “new” boat soon.

Sincerely,

Capt. Dave, BAYMEN, www.baymenlife.com

E-mail is the best way to reach me baymencharters@gmail.com or use contact link on this site.