A little help, please? Is this a good idea?

[Michele]

After our terrific day of fishing in Belize with the kiddos, Rob and I got to thinking.....(I know that seems like a dangerous proposition already). Would families visiting Playa del Carmen and the surrounding areas be interested in a fishing company that specializes in family friendly outings, a day on the water where the object of the day is to introduce kids to fishing and keep fish on their lines all morning/afternoon. We are thinking of two runs a day, one in the morning (but probably not at 7am) and another in the afternoon. Light tackle fishing for snapper etc., lunch and a bit of snorkling. The activities can be tailored to the family's particular desires.

So - We have the boat. We have the captain. Do we have a viable business? What think you all? Is this something you, or others, would be interested in as a family activity? Do you think it is a marketable enterprise? I anxiously await you comments and recommendations!

[sunrlb]

It sounds like an awesome idea. We struggle to find family friendly things to do with our children (at their age) in Playa. We would have signed up for a family fishing trip in a heart beat.

[drewl]

Originally Posted by Michele

After our terrific day of fishing in Belize with the kiddos, Rob and I got to thinking.....(I know that seems like a dangerous proposition already). Would families visiting Playa del Carmen and the surrounding areas be interested in a fishing company that specializes in family friendly outings, a day on the water where the object of the day is to introduce kids to fishing and keep fish on their lines all morning/afternoon. We are thinking of two runs a day, one in the morning (but probably not at 7am) and another in the afternoon. Light tackle fishing for snapper etc., lunch and a bit of snorkling. The activities can be tailored to the family's particular desires.

So - We have the boat. We have the captain. Do we have a viable business? What think you all? Is this something you, or others, would be interested in as a family activity? Do you think it is a marketable enterprise? I anxiously await you comments and recommendations!

Michelle, I would have been very very interested when I was down there just recently, I love to fish and more and more want to take my daughter with me, that would have been a great opportunity. Of course.. the viability will depend on cost you need to charge, etc.. also, you could even segment the trips by the age of kids.. and vary the length and fish type accordingly.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by drewl

Michelle, I would have been very very interested when I was down there just recently, I love to fish and more and more want to take my daughter with me, that would have been a great opportunity. Of course.. the viability will depend on cost you need to charge, etc.. also, you could even segment the trips by the age of kids.. and vary the length and fish type accordingly.

That is pretty much the objective. We have an English speaking Captain (which I think is very important with English speaking kids) and the idea is to have them be as active in the process as possible. Lots of casting and reeling in, baiting hooks, etc. The outing will include food and beverages and can be tailored to each family and level of age/skill/interest.

What would you all consider a family friendly price for a 3 hour run? I think 3 hours is about the max for kids.

[drewl]

Originally Posted by Michele

That is pretty much the objective. We have an English speaking Captain (which I think is very important with English speaking kids) and the idea is to have them be as active in the process as possible. Lots of casting and reeling in, baiting hooks, etc. The outing will include food and beverages and can be tailored to each family and level of age/skill/interest.

What would you all consider a family friendly price for a 3 hour run? I think 3 hours is about the max for kids.

That's a really good question, I couldn't really place a price on it per se... also, considering it is vacation for most, probably might spend a bit more but then again, it si mexico and I think we hope things would be a little less than home... I am being no help, so I did a quick search for you and found party boats here that charge $35 - $45 for 3-4 hour trips per person. I think somewhere in this range or a little less would proably be about right.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by drewl

That's a really good question, I couldn't really place a price on it per se... also, considering it is vacation for most, probably might spend a bit more but then again, it si mexico and I think we hope things would be a little less than home... I am being no help, so I did a quick search for you and found party boats here that charge $35 - $45 for 3-4 hour trips per person. I think somewhere in this range or a little less would proably be about right.

OK, for a slightly smaller fishing panga, offered through playa.info, the price for a max of 4 people is $220 usd for the half day tour. Is that too much? I'm thinking 2 adults and up to 4 kids. Our boat is 28'.

[drewl]

Originally Posted by Michele

OK, for a slightly smaller fishing panga, offered through playa.info, the price for a max of 4 people is $220 usd for the half day tour. Is that too much? I'm thinking 2 adults and up to 4 kids. Our boat is 28'.

So in my case, it would be $100 for the two of us and we would have to find someone to share.. I might do it.. but not until she was a bit older.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by drewl

So in my case, it would be $100 for the two of us and we would have to find someone to share.. I might do it.. but not until she was a bit older.

Yes, in a few years for sure.

[drewl]

Originally Posted by Michele

Yes, in a few years for sure.

well I bought her a little play rod for this summer so she can sit next to daddy on the beach while I surf cast.. two beach chairs. two rods and cooler with beer and juice!

[annrawa]

We had a panga in PDC for $150, 5 hrs., 4 people plus captain & mate.

[JMHARN]

This would be a great idea and a good vacation activity. I have a family of 6 (i.e., 4 kids) and I am willing to pay up to $200 for half a day trip (lunch included?? with the fish caught)
Good luck!

[drewl]

Originally Posted by JMHARN

This would be a great idea and a good vacation activity. I have a family of 6 (i.e., 4 kids) and I am willing to pay up to $200 for half a day trip (lunch included?? with the fish caught)
Good luck!

Actually, that could be a cool idea, bring backup for sure... but if you do catch something, teach the kids how to clean a fish (for those interested) and if you had a little grille, cook it right up.. though sounds your boat may not be quite big enough.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by annrawa

We had a panga in PDC for $150, 5 hrs., 4 people plus captain & mate.

That is a very good price. I think we have paid $180 usd in the past but that was booking directly with the fisherman. We are not going to do any direct booking if we can help it, so a commission for the booking agency...say for example playa.info, if they will have us , will need to be built into the price. I am thinking around the $200 usd mark. That will include a proper lunch, more than just snacks, and beverages.

[Solomon]

I think this sounds like a great idea, but there is one thing. I remember going fishing when I was younger and I really could only stand it for a short period of time before I got bored and had to find other stuff to do. This was easy to do on the shore of a river where there were lots of bugs and frogs and stuff to mess around with, but on a boat in the ocean you might have to provide some sort of alternative entertainment for the little guys.
Good luck,
Solomon

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Solomon

I think this sounds like a great idea, but there is one thing. I remember going fishing when I was younger and I really could only stand it for a short period of time before I got bored and had to find other stuff to do. This was easy to do on the shore of a river where there were lots of bugs and frogs and stuff to mess around with, but on a boat in the ocean you might have to provide some sort of alternative entertainment for the little guys.
Good luck,
Solomon

Definitely something to consider. That's where the snorkling comes into play or perhaps finding a quiet beach to come up on and explore for awhile.