Viking 45.5 yatch ready for work

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Marine1

New member
Nov 10, 2010
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Hello,
Me and a friend are thinking about starting a fishing charter, or any related business in the Dominican Republic with this yatch. The boat is a 1990 Viking Convertible 45.5. My friend is a master marine mechanic and I am a retired US Marine. Although we both have been to the Dominican Republic before, it's been on vacation, not on business.

We are both fluent in Spanish (we're originally from Puerto Rico). We have done a lot of fishing on the west coast of Florida (Tampa), but limited experience on blue water fishing. Any advice and/or suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Marine1
 
M

mike l

Silver
Sep 4, 2007
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Marine1 said:
Hello,
Me and a friend are thinking about starting a fishing charter, or any related business in the Dominican Republic with this yatch. The boat is a 1990 Viking Convertible 45.5. My friend is a master marine mechanic and I am a retired US Marine. Although we both have been to the Dominican Republic before, it's been on vacation, not on business.

We are both fluent in Spanish (we're originally from Puerto Rico). We have done a lot of fishing on the west coast of Florida (Tampa), but limited experience on blue water fishing. Any advice and/or suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Marine1
Click to expand...

This is not an easy business.

I have 20 years yachting experience and first thing is the boat would have to be paid for in cash with no payments due.

There are not that many tourists here that would pay what you need to make just pay for dockage and repairs.

You should take a captains course so you know how to navigate using a sextant rather than relying on a compass or any marine electrical postioning.

You will need to advertise and promote.

you will also need know all mariner terminology like what does " Boat " stand for " break out another thousand "

Mike Fisher is the local marine expert and he will add to this later but remeber this.

The 2 happiest days of a yacht owners life is the day he buys the boat and the second is the day he sells it
 
N

NY-DR Commuter

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Oct 11, 2010
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Marine1

I've been a U.S.C.G. licensed captain in the U.S. for 28 years and I have a sportfishing charter boat on Long Island, N.Y.

I've had a boat here on the north coast for about 5 years, a 31 foot ChrisCraft Commander. I purchased the boat mainly for private use and started to do some charters here in Sosua. The business was going pretty good but I really couldn't dedicate myself full-time. I still do charters but usually only for previous clients or for clients I book directly from my charter business in New York

If you are bringing the boat from the U.S. you can expect to pay a ridiculous amount of taxes. Also a lot of red-tape of dealing with customs, Marina de Guerra, etc.

Here in the DR, or at least on the North Coast you are pretty much on your own. There is no Coast Guard to come and rescue you when you're boat breaks down 10 miles offshore. It is important to have all up to date electronics and well maintained engines, etc.

If you have any specific questions just ask. I've been living down here for about 12 years so I pretty much know the deal here.

Good Luck

Victor
 
Tamborista

Tamborista

hasta la tambora
Apr 4, 2005
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NY-DR Commuter said:
Marine1

I've been a U.S.C.G. licensed captain in the U.S. for 28 years and I have a sportfishing charter boat on Long Island, N.Y.

I've had a boat here on the north coast for about 5 years, a 31 foot ChrisCraft Commander. I purchased the boat mainly for private use and started to do some charters here in Sosua. The business was going pretty good but I really couldn't dedicate myself full-time. I still do charters but usually only for previous clients or for clients I book directly from my charter business in New York

If you are bringing the boat from the U.S. you can expect to pay a ridiculous amount of taxes. Also a lot of red-tape of dealing with customs, Marina de Guerra, etc.

Here in the DR, or at least on the North Coast you are pretty much on your own. There is no Coast Guard to come and rescue you when you're boat breaks down 10 miles offshore. It is important to have all up to date electronics and well maintained engines, etc.

If you have any specific questions just ask. I've been living down here for about 12 years so I pretty much know the deal here.

Good Luck

Victor
Click to expand...

Hey Bro:

I am looking forward to catching more fish soon!

ian
 
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R

rice&beans

Silver
May 16, 2010
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Port...Starboard...Poop Deck....splice...yada yada yada....

carib said:
What is a yatch ?
carib ???
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This is what the front of my Yacht would look like....or commonly referred to as the bow.....IF I HAD A YACHT.;);)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51418611@N05/5165738624/" title="boat%20girls%20beach by bocachica64, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1331/5165738624_162f55247e.jpg" width="338" height="500" alt="boat%20girls%20beach" /></a>
 
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Tamborista

Tamborista

hasta la tambora
Apr 4, 2005
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rice&beans said:
This is what the front of my Yacht would look like....or commonly referred to as the bow.....IF I HAD A YACHT.;);)
Click to expand...

At least mix it up a little, one chocolate treat and one vanilla cookie!

Do I gotta' teach yous everything?

tambo'
 
M

Marine1

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Nov 10, 2010
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That was stupid!!!!!

Just try to use your f.. brain on a constructive way, here is a place to help or just show impressions no to make fun of the people, I bet that your size of shoes is close to 60' f..., clown!!!
 
Tamborista

Tamborista

hasta la tambora
Apr 4, 2005
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Marine1 said:
Just try to use your f.. brain on a constructive way, here is a place to help or just show impressions no to make fun of the people, I bet that your size of shoes is close to 60' f..., clown!!!
Click to expand...

Lighten up Francis, it's just the internet.
What is the matter, jarheads never smile, try it sometime, you'll live longer.;)

We have a brilliant response from a licensed USCG Captain on this thread who lives on the North Coast and owns a charter boat, not a serious enough response for you?
 
P

pedrochemical

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Aug 22, 2008
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Marine1 said:
Just try to use your f.. brain on a constructive way, here is a place to help or just show impressions no to make fun of the people, I bet that your size of shoes is close to 60' f..., clown!!!
Click to expand...


Remind me never to get on a boat with this guy.
Stay calm, my friend - cool heads and clear minds win the day at sea.
 
M

Marine1

New member
Nov 10, 2010
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Tamborista,
I see that you know a little bit about the Marine Corps reffering to me as a jarhead...:) We really appreciate all the responses we are given on this forum. We also value the opinion of the licensed USCG Captain.

As a matter of fact, with all the positive feedback that we have received from this forum, we have decided to go ahead and move to Dominican Repubic. Always looking for a challenge, if things don't work out, we are US citizens, we could come and go as we please.

The boat is paid off already, if it doesn't work out, we could make a 6 or 12 months vacation out of it. I can always go back to living the retired life and collecting my retirement check from the Marine Corps.

Again, thanks a lot for all your advice.

Semper Fidelis,
Marine1.


Tamborista said:
Lighten up Francis, it's just the internet.
What is the matter, jarheads never smile, try it sometime, you'll live longer.;)

We have a brilliant response from a licensed USCG Captain on this thread who lives on the North Coast and owns a charter boat, not a serious enough response for you?
Click to expand...
 
Tamborista

Tamborista

hasta la tambora
Apr 4, 2005
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Marine1:

Thank you for your service, I would also contribute Presidente & Petrol with JD & share my fish stories!

peace,

tambo'
 
L

LindseyKaufman

Silver
Aug 21, 2007
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I don't know about running fishing charters, but I have met several people who have boats which they are living on in Luperon.....just sort of living the boat bum life. The one couple said they come and stay for about 6 months before moving on somewhere else.

There is also a nice marina at Ocean World with some BIG boats docked there.

If your boat is completely paid for and you have the stash of cash and know how- my opinion is to follow your dream.

Lindsey
 
cobraboy

cobraboy

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Jul 24, 2004
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More often than not, folks coming to DR1 seeking advice already have their minds made up. It's not advice they seek but affirmation of their intent.
 
W

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
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How did i ever make it??

I came to Sto Domingo, applied for residency....
during the same week toured the island by car on my own....
put in an offer on a piece of land..

Came back a month later...... bought the land...

Built a house..... shipped a container w/ car

Accomplished within 12 months... moved in

All without the benefit of DR1...

I found them late in the process


Would some people have tried to talk me out of it ??
Would I have listened?

I have no regrets......

Lindsey's comment has merit.... just follow your dream - or your nose

Never follow the pack

WW
 
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cobraboy

cobraboy

Pro-Bono Demolition Hobbyist
Jul 24, 2004
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william webster said:
How did i ever make it??

I came to Sto Domingo, applied for residency....
during the same week toured the island by car on my own....
put in an offer on a piece of land..

Came back a month later...... bought the land...

Built a house..... shipped a container w/ car

Accomplished within 12 months... moved in

All without the benefit of DR1...

I found them late in the process


Would some people have tried to talk me out of it ??
Would I have listened?

I have no regrets......

Lindsey's comment has merit.... just follow your dream - or your nose

Never follow the pack

WW
Click to expand...
You're a doer, not a follower.

That's how.

Folks like YOU make the world click, are the innovators and men of progress.

Well done!
 
P

pedrochemical

Silver
Aug 22, 2008
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Scratch my last comment - I misjudged.

Cap'n Marine 1 seems OK.

There are a lot of people who wish they had the same opportunity.
You will have some of the greates adventure and stories ever.

Go for it.
 
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