[86SeaWeed]

Hello anglers,

How many times have you been stuck out on the water and ran out of water, soda or food?

I have spoke with a few friends about running a floating deli in Oyster Bay harbor. Basically, it would be open from Memorial Day - Labor Day, Saturdays/Sundays & Holidays, 6 or 7am to 6 or 7pm. I have many contacts up here in the yacht clubs such as Sewanaka and Sagamore and have a hookup at a well-known local deli to supply all of the food, etc.
Imagine spending Saturday night on your boat and having a bacon, egg and cheese with a Newsday and coffee delivered first thing in the morning?
Has there ever been anything like this? We would stay put somewhere around Coopers Bluff and deliver to anybody in CSH, or Oyster Bay Harbor (Bayville, Centre Island, etc.) for a minimum order of say $20 or something. Right now it is just an idea, but I am thinking about making it work.
Any thoughts or ideas? This could possibly work. My schedule during the week is flexible enough to make this work well on the weekends...
Hopefully I'll meet some of you out there.

 

[canyonfvr]

what kind of permit's would be involved would your boat have to be inspected by the health inspector.I would think there would be a lot involved with selling food to the public not to mention the insurance you would can you imagine the seasick boaters blameing it on your food

 

[86SeaWeed]

I have already thought about that. If I offer it as strictly a delivery service from my cooperating deli I may not need permits. I am going to call the town and county tomorrow to see what they say. I have had this idea for a few years now and may actually try to make it work.

 

[JC30967]

Terrific Idea

This sounds like an excellent idea, in theory at least. Bait delivery would be great, also. I know that many times, people get caught a little short bait-wise and have to prematurely end a great day fishing.

I wish you the best of luck if you do go ahead with this

.

 

[MACKS]

I was told that many years ago there was a floating snack bar out in morchies bay,you could pull up with your boat and buy lunch or soda,don't know if they had bait,but it sounds like a great idea.

 

[spygull]

Floating commisary

You are right about Moriches. Back when the boat liverys were in their hayday some the operators would make the rounds of the anchored rowboats with fresh bait and soft drinks. One enterprising young fellow got a pontoon boat and would go out on weekends and supply the fleet with bait ,sandwiches, soft drinks ect.

 

[canyonfvr]

wasnt there a silly lilly bait boat out in moriches yrs ago too

 

[DarthBaiter]

I was out in the sound last year and I really wanted some pizza. I got on the radio and asked if any pizza place delivered in the water and I got a good laugh from anyone who heard the call. I woulda paid double what a regular pie costs.

 

[Dorymate2530]

Aldo's on Block Island does it in New Harbour.

I always thought about doing it in my area as a kid, sounds like a good summer gig.

 

[86SeaWeed]

Peddeling

I got a call back from the town and they said I cannot do it, it is under the code of 'peddeling/soliciting.' Does this sound a little ridiculous?
I thought it would be a great idea to supply our fellow boaters with food, soda, water & bait when or if they run out.
I am going to read the code thoroughly and see if there is anyway around this.

 

[Bruno1]

Why don't you see if you can work out an arrangement where the customers are buying the food/drinks from the deli you have a hook with and you are only the "delivery" guy then your deli friend pays you. Technically you would only be delivering for the deli.

 

[basslegend]

ahhh remember "the snack barge" out in jones beach ! That was great !!

 

[SomedayCame]

Yes, Sounds like a great idea...

While fishing in Montauk in the Fall I'll call up for a Chix cutlet hero and a hot bowl of Chili to warm things up!!!Just kiddin....

I thought about doing a similar thing with a floating Bait barge..Have a few compressors on board suppling the juice for the freezers with some live bait wells for the bunker..Have a couple of nice looking female bikini wearing attendents,

or male for the female fisherman8
One of those 24' pontoon boats might have worked well..We'll never know

Good luck on your venture!!!

 

[WhatKnot]

Back in the 70's there was a small Whaler decked out with the Good Humor
logo doing a brisk business in Zach's Bay and the surrounding area.

 

[Fishbust]

Water business....

I think there must be a way for you to do it legally if you really wanted to.

But I don't think it would work as a delivery service. What you would have to charge for your fuel and wear/tear would make it too crazy for people to buy and people would not want to wait 2 hours for you to get to them on a list of people waiting.

People are used to not having stores out there and, as boaters, we get ready and pack up in advance. For the emergencies, most things can be had by boat/marina.

I have run out of bait. Bait is available from the water in more than a couple places in the Moriches area.

We can also pull into a marina having ordered a pizza and have it delivered there.

As a barge type thing parked in one place, at first I think it would be real slow for you but slowly pick up over time. People would have to get used to you being there and then in time maybe hopping on the boat not having prepared in advance knowing they can get what they need from you out there later on.

I don't think Moriches is a good place for it. Too small. Probably better off west in a bigger area. In Moriches you would sit there getting tossed around like a cork, that place is so packed with traffic it is churned up with wakes all day long.

Just jotting down everything that comes to mind.

But ya never know until you get out there and try it. You may do very well. Maybe well enough to quit your winter job!