Frustrated

[juls64]

As some of you know, I am pretty active with my dive club. This season has been really tough, though. We just have a difficult time filling the charters we've booked. Last year we had to turn people away, now this year is a different story. Each month when the charter comes up I am scrambling to find bodies. People are just busy it seems, myself included this year.

Most of them are working out, but this one at Sanilac Shores (Lake Huron) we scheduled for Labor Day weekend is dying a slow death. I already sent 1/2 the money for a deposit too. I think its time to post to a few other boards and thru the Illinois Scuba council for this one and see if I can find a few more divers.

I'm not sure if I'm looking for suggestions, or just venting a bit. Feel free to offer up ideas or suggestions if you have any!

Julie

[DeepDiverBob]

Can you give some more info on the charters? I cant make it Labor day weekend, but maybe for future ones.

[MgicTwnger]

Hi Julie,

As you know I've organized a few charters to lake Michigan on my own over the last couple of years. The reason for this is that my LDS has tried a couple of times and failed to get enough people, probably because they cater mostly to the warm water/pretty fishies crowd. At least if I put it togeather myself I know that I'll go diving!
That said, it's never easy: cancellations, searching for people, paying the deposit, etc. I just post here and on SB and ask every diver I know that might be interested. The charter ops are also eager to help find people to get a full boat.

Ken

[netmage]

Well - send me the details...! I'm always looking to dive (just no more trips to the Mary Alice B ...). I made it out there over the 4th and had a blast.


I think having a network w/in the Illinois Council would be a great idea. Maybe a little for the local dives - but any road trips... heck yea. Our club is at the point where the same 8 folks fill the 6 spots each trip. Everyone else is a warm water weenie.

[theskull]

. . . The reason for this is that my LDS has tried a couple of times and failed to get enough people, probably because they cater mostly to the warm water/pretty fishies crowd. . . .
Ken

Dude! I've missed out on Great Lakes diving for 3 years now for this exact reason!! I counted on plans that got cancelled because they were not well devised, advertised, or detailed. Of course the tropical trips get planned to the last detail a year in advance.

So, both of you, and anyone else, please put details on this board or email me so I can come along, and probably bring a buddy or 2 with me as well. But I do need more lead time than from now to Labor Day since I plan my dive trips at least 3 months in advance. Once in a while I can make a quick change in plans, so let me know even if you don't have advance notice of an opening.

Thanks in advance for any invites,

theskull
deepblue@the-skull.com

[juls64]

Here is a link that I posted previously in the Dive Trips area

http://www.midwestdive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=704

[theskull]

I wouldn't have been interested this past February because I was already signed up for the Great Lakes wreck trip through my shop. Those plans imploded with very little notice.

I'm with ya next year. I WILL do the Great Lakes next year, and it will be with someone who WILL go with me. Keep me posted.

theskull

[juls64]

Hi Skull-

On my signature is a link to our Dive Clubs website. Our dive schedule is there. Feel free to check it any time!

Juls

[Atlaua]

Juls, I want to get another big lake dive in this year but the vote went for the meet and greet that weekend. Would be kinda rude for me to arrange it and then not show!

But I am definatly interested in future trips as well. I've been wanting to do the lakes for a long time, and now that I've finally broken down and pony'd up for the proper exposure protection, I will be doing it as often as I can. (Of course with a baby in the house that's much less often than in the past :( ).

Keep posting your trips here, lots of us willing to make the trip. Maybe this is a good suggestion for us all...don't plan trips on holiday weekends, too much going on to fill the boat! But MT has a great point...call the charter Captain and let him know you're having some trouble filling the boat. He probably will have some individual clients that can take the seats.

James

[juls64]

James-

Actually at the time we discussed it, people said they preferred the holiday weekend. Because Sanilac Shores is a bit of a drive, that gave them more time to get there and get home. The original plan was even Munising or Thunder Bay, even further away. The trip organizers picked Sanilac Shores because it was closer.

Hubby and I were supposed to go, but as Neptune's Law would have it, my son will have his graduation from Navy basic that weekend. Then I found out this week, another club member who was signed up, was seriously injured in an auto accident a few weeks ago. He is especially on our minds!

We live, we learn!

I'm sure it will all work out just fine. Either that or there will be a lynching at The September meeting of Midwest Divers! ......(yikes!)


Julie

[MgicTwnger]

Anyone up for a trip with N'Pursuit after the Meet & Greet, say mid September - mid October? Speak up now or stay dry.

[theskull]

Anyone up for a trip with N'Pursuit after the Meet & Greet, say mid September - mid October? Speak up now or stay dry.

Already have every weekend in Sept and Oct booked up with dive trips.

But keep asking!

theskull

[Atlaua]

Anyone up for a trip with N'Pursuit after the Meet & Greet, say mid September - mid October? Speak up now or stay dry.

I'm interested. Though I remember a comment from the DM on the last trip that still haunts me....

IIRC he said we were in a 2 month window of good vis. Can I expect good vis on a Sept-Oct trip?

[MgicTwnger]

I'm interested. Though I remember a comment from the DM on the last trip that still haunts me....

IIRC he said we were in a 2 month window of good vis. Can I expect good vis on a Sept-Oct trip?
Who knows? I've never seen the viz as good as it is this summer. I'll email Mike and see what dates he has open.

[DeepDiverBob]

I might be interested, but we are getting close to Novemeber, and all I keep hearing is "Edmund Fitzgerald"

[MgicTwnger]

I might be interested, but we are getting close to Novemeber, and all I keep hearing is "Edmund Fitzgerald"
N'Pursuit ends the season in mid-October. C'mon Bob, you'll be wearing a drysuit! It keeps you warm on the boat, too.

[DeepDiverBob]

Give me a firm date, and I will see if I am available. I might try and bring another friend of mine as well if it works out with his schedule.