Happy to learn that the Independence did not have a fuel surcharge on the recent 8 day. Somewhat higher trip prices than some other boats and I wonder if those with lower prices are asking for fuel surcharges.
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Fuel Surcharges
- Thread starter Steve K
- Start date
MikeC.
I Should Upgrade My Account
never demand higher prices in lieu of a charge… In a couple years that surcharge comes back and the initial increase is absorbed into nothing.A decade back, we demanded that fuel surcharges be included in the original price of the trip. So the prices got jacked and there were no fuel surcharges.
what happened?
remember when ca voted for gas tax increase to fix the roads, idiots passed it. Ca roads are more fucked now than before = that increase went to nothing and now we need another tax increase
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We had no affect or input on fuel surcharges, demands were inappropriate and ineffective. Your ticket price gets divided up into shares that go to Everingham Brothers for bait, the landing and I believe some goes to the port. The landings and the bait company were not getting anything from the fuel surcharges. So the boats had to increase their fares based on fuel prices.A decade back, we demanded that fuel surcharges be included in the original price of the trip. So the prices got jacked and there were no fuel surcharges.
what happened?
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I was going to say the same thing. It was the Port Authority that put an end to it as it was a way for the boats to avoid paying them their percentage.
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Roadrunner
Member
If one fishes a bit, you will see the "scheduled" prices going up across the board. I am speaking of "long range" trips but that has been blurred lately as to the definition of "long range" . Comparing trips if you rebook each year, things are going up each year if you look at the " per day " price.
I am not talking of overnight boats or 2 day boats.
Some LR boats are more expensive than others and you did mention the Indy is higher than others
My trips/experience. Vagabond has had no fuel surcharges this season so far. Fuel prices ( diesel ) have remained steady since last year. Boats contracted end of last year or so for this season and the diesel prices are about the same = no surcharges so far
Vag and many other boats even make the run out to the 60 mile bank in the day time to get a load of rockfish since the BFT have been bft. No surcharge.
Yes: SD Port District gets a slice of everything ( even from the tackle shops). Same for all boats
Yes: contract with Everingham brothers each year for supply of bait. Same for all boats
Could you imagine fishing with no bait/chum. Plus you make bait each trip whether you are overnight to 18 day trip.
Back to who is doing surcharges. NOT same for all boats
Take note of who is and who is not. Adjust your boat choices accordingly.
It is a choice.
Quote the SWAMI !
the boats that nickel and dime you will if the opportunity presents itself .
I am not talking of overnight boats or 2 day boats.
Some LR boats are more expensive than others and you did mention the Indy is higher than others
My trips/experience. Vagabond has had no fuel surcharges this season so far. Fuel prices ( diesel ) have remained steady since last year. Boats contracted end of last year or so for this season and the diesel prices are about the same = no surcharges so far
Vag and many other boats even make the run out to the 60 mile bank in the day time to get a load of rockfish since the BFT have been bft. No surcharge.
Yes: SD Port District gets a slice of everything ( even from the tackle shops). Same for all boats
Yes: contract with Everingham brothers each year for supply of bait. Same for all boats
Could you imagine fishing with no bait/chum. Plus you make bait each trip whether you are overnight to 18 day trip.
Back to who is doing surcharges. NOT same for all boats
Take note of who is and who is not. Adjust your boat choices accordingly.
It is a choice.
Quote the SWAMI !
the boats that nickel and dime you will if the opportunity presents itself .
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Even if fuel is $2.00 a gallon. Someboats will continue to add it, Unless people complain to the Landing And the Boat owner. These boats will also charge other surcharges if the opportunity is their, such as food surcharge, etc. The funny thing is, These are the same boats sitting at the docks during fall and winter and spring when fishing tends to be on the slower side!!
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I'm wondering how the California department of weights and measures hasn't come after them for this. They come after retailers all the time for incorrect or deceptive pricing. I get that they have costs, but I also think pricing needs to be transparent. It can't just be a surprise add on to an already expensive trip
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I’ve been on two “shakedown” trips in 2023, the first-of-the-year for both boats. Surprisingly, both had a fuel surcharge despite fairly stable petroleum prices (mid-winter and mid-spring). I have no complaints about overall value or either boat, I’m not gonna name them, but I was a little surprised that they hadn’t accounted for fuel prices when they set their prices. If anything, the end of last season (when these prices were published) had higher petroleum prices than this years, or am I mistaken?
Honestly, I’m not pointing fingers but the whole surcharge concept has done a lot to erode confidence among the anglers… and a little transparency could do a lot to restore faith in the operators.
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I for one have only been hit once or twice for the surcharge. Albeit, I’ve been on the road working and haven’t fished “ocean” as much as I normally do. They hit us at the boat, so I think to maybe answer chris question, the weights and measures can only nail them if they catch them?? Idk. Just guessing
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hucklongfin
Deep release specialist
Fuel surcharges seems like a scam. It lets them pocket cash that isn’t accountable to the landing, bait hauler, etc.
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You know what happened. Short term memory loss affects both young and oldA decade back, we demanded that fuel surcharges be included in the original price of the trip. So the prices got jacked and there were no fuel surcharges.
what happened?
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I too wonder about the fees and taxes.
The LR offices already have a shit-load of admin work from govts & customers so I don't ask for their analysis --
But I do wonder what is the govt load we carry as we just want to go fishing >> What is the percentage of a LR trip cost that is from all govts' takes?
Fuel taxes, TSA fees, 7.5% SSA, medicare tax, employment taxes, other federal fees, Mex fees, Calif licenses/fees, landing's special taxes/fees, Port fees, etc. etc
I think my family's tax/fee load is probably about 35-40% of pre-tax income.
SocSecAdmin tax 15%, Medicare tax, other taxes, Income tax CA, income tax USA, income tax SDG&E/PUC, property tax, special assessment district tax, sales tax, gas taxes, tele monoploy tax, maintenance assessment district tax, garbage taxes, and so on and so on ..... For two income families, one partner's work may result in no net family income due to the govt's "take."
Anyone here ever do the math?
Tight lines,
The LR offices already have a shit-load of admin work from govts & customers so I don't ask for their analysis --
But I do wonder what is the govt load we carry as we just want to go fishing >> What is the percentage of a LR trip cost that is from all govts' takes?
Fuel taxes, TSA fees, 7.5% SSA, medicare tax, employment taxes, other federal fees, Mex fees, Calif licenses/fees, landing's special taxes/fees, Port fees, etc. etc
I think my family's tax/fee load is probably about 35-40% of pre-tax income.
SocSecAdmin tax 15%, Medicare tax, other taxes, Income tax CA, income tax USA, income tax SDG&E/PUC, property tax, special assessment district tax, sales tax, gas taxes, tele monoploy tax, maintenance assessment district tax, garbage taxes, and so on and so on ..... For two income families, one partner's work may result in no net family income due to the govt's "take."
Anyone here ever do the math?
Tight lines,
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The owners are businessmen, and by no means, are making a killing and living high on the hog taking us fishing. They live in normal houses driving older trucks like most of us do. If they make a wrong decision(s) financially, they are out of business. Look how many boats have changed ownership over the years. It was mostly from poor choices financially that forced them to sell and do something else. We do not want them to go out of business.
The surcharge allows the owners to 100% of that amount collected so they can pay their bills and provide for their families. If the fuel surcharge is included in the ticket price, then the Port gets their 6%, the bait company gets their 16.5%, the landing gets their 15% and so on down the line.
The sportfishing industry is not immune to what is happening to every other business that is trying to stay afloat. If they want to survive, they need to take care of business.
I for one, do not begrudge them one dime as I know a lot of them personally, spend a fair amount of time with them, and they are always talking business and sharing ideas. We are extremely lucky to have these top skippers on top boats here in our back yards. Only when they are gone will some of us realize how lucky we truly are.
The surcharge allows the owners to 100% of that amount collected so they can pay their bills and provide for their families. If the fuel surcharge is included in the ticket price, then the Port gets their 6%, the bait company gets their 16.5%, the landing gets their 15% and so on down the line.
The sportfishing industry is not immune to what is happening to every other business that is trying to stay afloat. If they want to survive, they need to take care of business.
I for one, do not begrudge them one dime as I know a lot of them personally, spend a fair amount of time with them, and they are always talking business and sharing ideas. We are extremely lucky to have these top skippers on top boats here in our back yards. Only when they are gone will some of us realize how lucky we truly are.
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