internet on the long range boats

[djhaul]

I have been fishing Long Range now for about 7 years. As I get older and more established in my career it is harder for me to get off of the grid for more than a few days. When I go fishing for 7-10 days and am not checking email at all it can really be an issue, not only for my company but for my clients.

I read recently that the Excel was talking about putting wireless internet in the galley. When I first heard this, I was like GREAT! Then I thought about it, why the hell am I going to spend all this money to go fishing in the greatest fishery in the world and be checking email??

I think it's a double edged sword, I am not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, you can potentially put out any fires that may happen when you are away. On the other...does it really matter?

Curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this.

[The Notorious S.U.A.]

It would be very helpful to some of the passengers if we could at least get on email once a day and keep in contact with the office.

[djhaul]

I agree. Sometimes ignorance is bliss though.

[hydro]

I would find it helpful in my business to have email access on board. It would make it easier for me to leave work for extended periods of time. On the other hand I can understand wanting to "get away from everything" I guess if people don't want to use it they don't have to. JMHO.

[fishordie]

I have never found ignorance is bliss however I have found knowledge can make my hair fall out..... Yeah, I know the happiest person on the planet is the fool but We have all seen plenty of fools on long range yet they do not seem happy at all. Oh well.

As far as the Internet option on the Excel I for one AM LOVING IT. I am hoping it is up and running for our Charter in 2 weeks so I can send live up dates of the trip to sites like B.D. Heck we might even get a bit of streaming video. Talk about living vicariously through other anglers...

Before the purist folks kick in and tell me how they want peace and quite the reality is our industry is struggling and needs new blood badly. Say what you will but the latest generation or two are hopelessly addicted to
Internet. Like anything else the long range industry needs to get their foot in the door of these computer addicted generation X thru Z er's to see if we can get them away from Nintendo... Or is it Sega?? Oui?? I am not sure which manufacturer it is but they have bowling and fishing in order to introduce them to the real thing. Heck, I admit I have bowled a few Oui games on some of the long range boats and it was a kick in the pants. Oh man, I sure hope I am not addicted.

Yes, this will enable Business folks to have access to business as long as the boat is in satellite range. I am not sure where coverage will extend to put I am sure I will be typing away until my indicator says I no longer have a signal.

The only concern I have is now Porn will be available 24/7 so I sure hope the crew and passengers will come up on deck sometime to fish. Oh my.

None the less, the harsh reality of life is we all need to roll with the punches or our industry will die thus I applaud the Excel for taking the financial step of attempting this Internet access as an option for any fisherman who chooses to imbibe. I for one will be bringing my addiction with me and hope to use it. Others who do not believe in such things should not be bothered as it is no different than wiring up jigs, making top shots or ?? in the galley as long as the volume is not turned on. Heck, folks have been watching movies on their little lap tops or ??? for years now using head phones to keep the sound to themselves so this should be no different at all.

Options.. I LOVE Options.... I just do not trade them

Jamie

[Garabaldi]

It is always better to have options IMO than not. Business is business and vacation is vacation so you have to decide what is most important to you, those who own their own business know exactly what I am talking about. Money isn't everything, but try living without it in today's fast paced world... balance is the key factor in keeping your sanity. It would be cool if they set up a system where you could use your own laptop in multiple places on the boat (stateroom, galley, upperdeck).

Tight lines!

[phantom1]

internet would be nice to have, even if it was set up like on the cruise ships. Either pay by usage or unlimited. That way each could have a choice. but I. would think to keep the fun in the trip once every other day or so would be about all one could take unless it Was WORKING FISHING TRIP. I KNOW MANY HAVE TAKEN MANY VACATIONS THIS WAY. The price we pay.... Plus the way it is today it's extremely hard on our ego's to know the world can run with out us.....

[eMan]

not for me man, I go fishing to GET AWAY from my work! hopefully they wont increase the rate to go fishing on an internet ready boat. Charge those who use it, they rest of us just wanna fish.

[fishordie]

The charge will be only applied to those who opt to use the service and is in addition to the trip price. NOBODY who chooses not to use the service will be charged for it.

Jamie

[Sactotuna]

I think it's a wonderful idea, anything that gets anglers off the rail and into the galley works for me.
As for me, I trained someone to handle work while I'm gone.