EXPERIENCE OCEAN CITY…FROM THE WATER

FAQ & NEWS

FAQ and NEWS

What should I bring?

  • Bring your own food and drinks.  Alcoholic beverages are ok too.  (no glasses please).
  • Closed-toe boat shoes or sneakers are recommended. Slides, flip-flops and sandals are not permitted for safety reasons.
  • Towels if you are tubing.  Sweatshirt or jacket, especially in the evening as it can get really chilly on the water.
  • Lotion based sunscreen (no spray sunscreen please, as it stains the deck and fiberglass).
  • Hat and/or sunglasses.
  • Emergency medications for special health conditions (i.e. asthma inhalers, allergy epi-pens, etc.)
  • BYO music. Shore Thing has a great sound system with Bluetooth that will connect to your phone.
  • If we are going offshore dress appropriately.  Water temps on the ocean can make it much cooler that expected (especially in the spring & early summer).  Rain gear and/or nylon clothing are best.

How many people can we bring?

USCG regulations allow me to carry up to 6 paying passengers maximum per trip. Sorry, no exceptions.  Parties of 7 or more must charter a larger “inspected” vessel that meets special construction standards and is inspected annually by the USCG.  This is typically a “party boat’ style vessel.

Does the boat have a bathroom?

Yes, the boat has a private head with a power flush toilet.

Where do we meet the boat on departure day?

.Trips leave from Somers Point at 550 Launch Ave. Somers Point, NJ 08244. There is ample parking within feet of the dock.    (Trips do NOT leave from 1344 Pleasure Ave. that is a billing address. Directions from OCNJ: Take 9th Street Bridge to Somers Point. Make right at 1st light onto Shore Rd. and then immediate Right onto Goll Ave.  This will turn into Bay Ave. when it bends to the left at bottom of hill.  Follow Bay Ave. past Hospital on left and turn Right onto Pleasant Ave, just before the traffic light.  This road goes through a marina parking lot and then splits.  Bear left at split past Cambell’s Marine Service onto Kapella Ave.  Kapella dead ends in 50 yards into Launch Ave.  Park on street anywhere nearby.  Boat slip is across from House at 550 Launch Ave.  There is a Shore Thing sign on step platform.

Do I need fishing rods or watersports gear?

No, we will provide all the fishing or watersports gear you need.  Shore Thing uses only high-quality tackle and gear.  If you have your own gear, you are welcome to bring it but please let us know in advance so we have adequate storage for everything.

Do you offer trips for special events?

Absolutely, you are welcome to book Shore Thing for special events like Night in Venice,  Thunder Over the Boardwalk, or fireworks.  We also offer custom charters as a great way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or entertain clients.  In general, we charge $150-$250 per hour depending on crew needs, distance, fuel, length of trip, and time of day.  Give us a call and we will gladly help you plan a special day.

Will you modify trips?

Yes! Shore Thing is a private charter at your disposal so we are happy to modify any trip within the time frame of the booking.  For instance, maybe you want to split a trip between fishing and cruising 2-hours each?  No problem.  Just let us know before you arrive so we are properly supplied.  I cannot combine fishing and tubing as it is too much gear to bring along.

Do you do split boat charters?

No we only do single party private charters so you have the boat to yourself.  I can recommend other fishing boats in the area who split charters.

What is your Payment and Cancellation policy? What about bad weather?

During summer season (Memorial Day-Labor Day), trips are payable in-full at the time of booking, otherwise a 50% deposit is required.  We accept major credit cards, cash and checks.  Make checks payable to “OC Custom Charters Inc.”  My website booking system will let you see all available dates, pay in full, and confirm your reservation immediately.  You can always call me and I will take the booking over the phone.  

Trips cancelled due to bad weather can be rescheduled or, if preferred, fully refunded.  If high winds/seas are an issue offshore, you may also switch to another trip on the calmer bay waters.  We will contact you the day before if we are expecting bad weather to decide on a plan.  “Bad weather” is ultimately at the captain’s discretion but I am very flexible and don’t take people out in the rain but prefer to discuss your expectations in advance if the forecast is questionable.

You may cancel your reserved trip for any reason within 72 hours of time of trip departure and receive a full refund.  We will do our best to reschedule any trips as necessary but cancellations received with less than 72 hours notice will forfeit their deposit  or 50% of the prepaid.  “No shows” or cancellations the same day as the trip  will not be refunded at all.  Please shoot us an email to cancel at info@shorethingocnj.com or text us at 609-388-9013 if possible so I have  record.  

What is your Alcohol and Drug Policy?

o r mateBeer, wine, premixed alcoholic beverages and liquor (in cans or plastic bottles) are welcome.   Marijuana is still illegal under federal law which governs my Captain’s license, so it is NOT allowed aboard Shore Thing.  Any other controlled substance must be legally prescribed and stored in their original labeled bottle with the name of the patient, prescribing doctor etc.

We want everyone to have a great time but your safety is our highest priority.  Therefore the captain reserves the right to terminate any charter trip immediately, and without refund, if he solely determines that any passenger(s)

A) appear intoxicated and unsafe.

B)  have brought a prohibited substance aboard the vessel.

C)  are engaging in a dangerous or unruly behavior(s).

D)  who fail to comply with the captain’s or mates instructions.

 

What payment do you accept?

Cash, check or major credit card.  Our online booking takes Visa, MC & AMEX and can be used to book by phone.  All reservations require a $20% deposit to hold the date.  Make checks payable to “OC Custom Charters, Inc.” and mail to 1344 Pleasure Ave, Ocean City, NJ 08226  Full payment is due on the day of the trip.

Can we keep the fish we catch?

All fish caught are yours to keep, or catch and release if you wish.  You can view New Jersey fishing seasons, size and catch limits here:

https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/njregs.htm#fishing

By state regulation, fish may not be filleted until returning to port so we cannot provide this service for you.

What about tipping?

Tipping is never expected but is customary in the charter business if you feel you have received great service.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Check out what is new with Shore Thing Charters and Ocean City NJ

5 Considerations for a Burial-at-Sea

I was surprised to be contacted multiple times this season to provide charter services for people who wanted to honor a deceased loved one by spreading their ashes at sea.  Not sure what the rules were,  I did some digging and found that the rules for the spreading of...

Welcome to Shore Thing Charters

Welcome to Shore Thing Charters

Shore Thing Charters was founded so I could share my lifetime love of boating with others who want to enjoy the water.  There is no better way to create a lasting memory than experiencing the excitement and fun that comes with a great day of boating.  Whether you want...

CONTACT US:

PHONE: 609-388-9013 cell/text

EMAIL: info@shorethingocnj.com

Trips Depart from:

550 Launch Ave.

Somers Point, NJ 08244