One of the things on the NCD wish list is a charter trip. So, we've been doing our homework and are trying to put one together.
The Trip:3 Day liveaboard dive charter to the Channel Islands aboard the Peace, out of Ventura. The Peace is the premiere liveaboard for the Channel Islands. She's 65 feet long, with a beam of 22 ft and she sleeps up to 32. She pumps out fills up to 3500 psi and banks nitrox. Oh yeah. She's got a hot tub.
www.peaceboat.com The Dates:December 17-19. We board the Peace the evening of the 16th and crash in our berths. When we awaken in the morning to the smell of bacon from the award-winning cook, we'll be at our first dive site in the Channel Islands. We have all day (and night) and all the next day (and night) and the next day to dive. We return to Ventura in the late afternoon on the 19th. (Note: It'll be lobster season. Just saying . . . .)
The Finances:Booking a three-day Peace trip through a dive shop will put you back $530. By running our own North Coast Diver charter, we've got more control over the price.
When you sign up, you pay $500 - already a savings of $30. As soon as we get 20 people signed up (and paid), the charter is a go and we're committed. As we get more people signed up (and paid), the per person cost drops and everyone gets a rebate. The more people (up to 28), the more the rebate.
If 20 people go, the cost is $500. If 24 people go, the cost drops to $424.52 ($500 - $75.48 rebate for a savings of $104.48). If 28 people go, the costs drops even further to $365.74 ($500 - $134.26 rebate for a savings of $163.26)
PaymentTo make it easier on folks' wallets, we're going to make this a "pay over time" plan. HOWEVER, you have to realize that THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. We have to make nonrefundable deposits to the Peace and all of the other divers are counting on having enough paid divers for the trip to happen. Otherwise, we could all lose our money. So, when you commit, YOU COMMIT FOR THE ENTIRE PAYMENT SCHEDULE. You may, however, transfer your deposits to another diver to take your place.
We need 20 divers to deposit at least $20 each by February 19, for us to make the initial deposit. Then, there will be deposits of 1/4 of the $500 total due, with full payment being due 90 days before sailing. (PayPal deposits are 4% more, to cover their fees.)
Date Check PayPal
Feb. 19 $ 20 $ 21
March 15 $105 $110
May 14 $125 $130
July 15 $125 $130
Sept. 17 $125 $130
PM me for payment details.
The BEST part:
We'd all be NCD'ers. No weird insta-buddies. No strangers. No tourists from Duluth who've never seen an ocean.
We'd be diving with old friends and making new ones. The camaraderie around the galley table will be intense.
So. You in?
The "In" Crowd:
1. Oren
2. Bobsinfo
3. Andy
4. Susan
5. Eric
6. KitKat
7. JimZoo
8. Jamie
9. Odie
10. Shrk B8
11. Shrk B8's other half?
12. Carolswims
13. Taoh
14. Chris
15. Scubalaurel
16. JWin
17. Ericson
18. One johnson
19. The "Other" Johnson?
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