The Golden Rule v. Dive Deposits

[Tracy]

That's something I've never done in all my years of diving. Where you going? Oh cool. Sign me up. Here's my deposit.

Fully Tek and I both run primarily technical charters with trailerable boats on the Great Lakes.
We aren't going anywhere unless someone tells us where they want to dive and books the boat to make that happen.
I operate on 3 of the Great Lakes, Fully Tek operates on two of them. It isn't unheard of to drag an oversize load over 1000 miles for a charter. I have a charter next year that involves 700 miles of trailering and two ferry rides with a truck and oversize trailer. A large part of that trip won't be refundable regardless of if we run or not. When I go to Whitefish point for the month of September, my first 3-4 days charters are just covering expenses to get there and run.
So, while I do refund for weather and mechanical issues, I also fully understand why he doesn't. Especially if you are just going somewhere for a week and get blown out for the whole week.

It is different than hopping on a Horizon or Rainbow Reef boat for a quick run out to the Spiegel Grove.

 

[Scubagolf]

I did a quick and dirty, very small (3 operators) sampling of Cozumel dive operators and their cancellation policies as stated in their websites. None would result in a refund simply on the basis of the "Golden Rule."

ALDORA DIVERS

To cancel your dives or make changes to you trip, a minimum of 12 hours notice or before 7.30 pm the night before your scheduled dives is required. If you should cancel the morning of your trip or you do not show up, you will be charged the full price of the dives that day.

SCUBA TONY

Any cancellation made within 24 hours of a divers’ scheduled dive is considered a last-minute cancellation, and divers will be responsible for paying for the cancelled dive(s). If a doctor’s note is provided in the case of a medical issue/emergency, last-minute cancellations will not be charged.

DIVE PARADISE

Cancellations made more than 48 hours prior to any dive receive a full refund. Cancellations made 12-48 hours prior to a dive will receive a 50% credit voucher toward future diving. No-shows and late cancellations made within 12 hours prior to a dive are non-refundable. Sudden illnesses that result in an inability to dive are eligible to receive a 50% refund if approved by Dive Paradise’s in-house Medical Director.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Fully Tek and I both run primarily technical charters with trailerable boats on the Great Lakes.
We aren't going anywhere unless someone tells us where they want to dive and books the boat to make that happen.
I operate on 3 of the Great Lakes, Fully Tek operates on two of them. It isn't unheard of to drag an oversize load over 1000 miles for a charter. I have a charter next year that involves 700 miles of trailering and two ferry rides with a truck and oversize trailer. A large part of that trip won't be refundable regardless of if we run or not. When I go to Whitefish point for the month of September, my first 3-4 days charters are just covering expenses to get there and run.
So, while I do refund for weather and mechanical issues, I also fully understand why he doesn't. Especially if you are just going somewhere for a week and get blown out for the whole week.

It is different than hopping on a Horizon or Rainbow Reef boat for a quick run out to the Spiegel Grove.

well, there's a charter that moves his boat from Seattle to Neah Bay. That's 300 miles, but he is running amazing trips in the summers. Best diving in the state. Reasonable refund policy. It really comes down to the person running the operation.

 

[pauldw]

well, there's a charter that moves his boat from Seattle to Neah Bay. That's 300 miles, but he is running amazing trips in the summers. Best diving in the state. Reasonable refund policy. It really comes down to the person running the operation.

I want to dive Neah Bay sometime, but don't want to scooter out from town. Remind me who this guy is?

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I want to dive Neah Bay sometime, but don't want to scooter out from town. Remind me who this guy is?

Darn it. Bill shut down. Oh that just feeds my new nemesis!

In all seriousness, I would scooter out to Waddah Fingers. Have you tried it? I did find a few posts where you are discussing diving there.

 

[rjack321]

Darn it. Bill shut down. Oh that just feeds my new nemesis!

In all seriousness, I would scooter out to Waddah Fingers. Have you tried it? I did find a few posts where you are discussing diving there.

He shut down in part because he couldn't manage to drive 300 miles on 2 lane roads and contend with fickle cheap divers who are too budget to understand that running a charter is expensive. And that their $120 2 dive day is barely breaking even after boat, fuel, and insurance and it's minimum wage for the skipper at those rates.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

He shut down in part because he couldn't manage to drive 300 miles on 2 lane roads and contend with fickle cheap divers who are too budget to understand that running a charter is expensive. And that their $120 2 dive day is barely breaking even after boat, fuel, and insurance and it's minimum wage for the skipper at those rates.

And that's a huge loss to the region. His prices were too low and I enjoyed some epic dives for that boat.

Big difference between Waadah and anything within the Sound.

I'm still kicking myself for not going when a buddy surfaced next to orcas.

 

[The Chairman]

In all seriousness, I would scooter out to Waddah Fingers.

You know, I don't like scooters because they're noisy. But then, I hate diesels because they're stinky and noisy. How far do you scooter? How far can you scooter?

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

You know, I don't like scooters because they're noisy. But then, I hate diesels because they're stinky and noisy. How far do you scooter? How far can you scooter?

There is a jetry going out to the island (or close to it, can't quite tell from Google maps and my memory doesn't serve me).

Obviously you can't walk on the jetty with gear. But you could go along it and. It worry about getting run over by a boat. It is a good distance in total, along the jetty to along the island to get to the west side. Looks like 1.5 miles plus.

@rjack321, that sound right to you?

 

[rjack321]

How far can you scooter?

Around here? much further than it's wise to do so.