I'm almost 60, although I dont feel it...but long ago, I was a studio guitar player at 19 years old. Made a ton of money at the time too. Got married and put it down for 3-4 years ...then went back part time.

Years later...the 2nd wife would have none of it. No live gigs...no studio work...and my other career was making me a ton of money. 20+ years later...the wife was gone. I cant tell you how many offers my friends in the business have extended to me during that time that I literally stopped playing at all for over 10 years. Now I'm single and while I still have my record company contacts...I still dont do studio work because my buddies are either in Nashville or Ft Worth or Jackson,Ms. I've been playing a little here and there with old musician friends the past 3 years and love it....but it's really not what I wanted to do all along. I liked doing studio work.

Do I regret not going to Nashville when the President of Giant records, my old friend James Stroud asked me to? Yeah, I do....even though I'm not a fan of country music. Now James has his own label after leaving Giant, then Dreamworks....and I may or may not go....because of my age...and I have a very good business here. I know I'd end up playing on the road with someone if the money was right....and at 19...that was fine. But not now. I hate hotels unless I'm on vacation.

I miss it because I know God has given me a rare talent....and I will never forgive my 2nd wife for not wanting me to play again, nor myself for allowing her to do so.

You just have to ask yourself..." Will regret doing this ....or will I regret it more...NOT doing it ?

I know my own answer....that's why I'm messing around and keeping my finger in it at this late date. Only You can answer your question. If you decide to do it....do it right, go first class, and dont EVER give up, no matter what. I've made a lot of money in my business. But I was never truly happy.

Its not a case of yes or no, but in this economy which is ready to come crashing down (if either Greece or Spain or both default) its a case of WHEN. Protect the Capital you have - gold or silver or both. Then after a crash, you will be positioned to take advantage of really great boat bargains. How old are you 30-45 I'll bet. What you don't need is to own a boat that suddenly becomes worthless with no customers to make the business go. "PLAY" dollars will/are the first dollars to dry up.

Sorry guys I have been traveling. Thanks for your comments! Well I think I will try it anyhow. I am 36 debt free all the way around. Enough savings to live a few years and then sell the boat if it doesn't work out. I am driven at all I do and have been self employed for 10 years. I have made allot and lost it and made it again. If I lose it I will make it again some how. I have jumped into some crazy adventures and that's the only reason I have cash now. I DO NOT expect a charter business to make the same cash as I have made before. I DO expect a happier life. I have no more passion for construction, it has been good to me financially but my stress level is out the roof and honestly dealing with all the deadbeat clients I have lately I just cant do it anymore. I have had more bad debt deals that I care to mention. Every project has an owner who spent more than they have and I am tired of liens and settlements. I was a restoration contractor during the 90s up to o4' for Hurricane Ivan. I worked Katrina as an independent insurance adjuster and that was good to me. Actually I made insane money writing claims and had no payroll on Friday. Point is if it doesn't work I will have options. If a storm comes and fishing is slow I will go adjust until I fishing picks up. On another note I am finding sweet deals on boats. Miami has so many repos is a joke. I have found 3 yer old 400K boats for 150K short sales.

Get your insurance quotes before you commit.

Fishenrod,

About what I wrote earlier, I do not regret a thing. Givin the chance, I would do it all over again. Life is way too short to spend it wishing that you would of tried.

Truer words have never been spoken, CaptJohn. As long as the venture is tempered with sound judgment...one needs to follow his passions.

You arent the CaptJohn who used to pilot the Pelican at Deep Sea headquarters in Port A are ya?

No, that wasn't me. I kept my boat at Troutstreet. It was the ugliest boat there. Lol

Triple check and make sure that you CAN afford to loose money for the first couple years because you more than likely will.

Well, things on hold. Surprisingly awarded 2 new projects last week on the same day that will last 8 to 10 months each. Cant pass them up right now. I will buy a boat though as a personal toy that will work later if I want to chase my dream of fishing all day vs working in construction. Oh and my Dad talked some since into me for now..lol.

after reading this article a couple of weeks ago I'd say think about it really hard if you ever do decide to go that route carrer wise.

Click here for Article

Really sobering article. Maybe that's why most of the guides out there are as good as they are - the riff-raff just disappear. A good guide I know also has a shrimping license and boat to help make expenses and his 30 year Navy retirement doesn't hurt either. And as I wrote earlier this financial climate sure doesn't help. If business is 15% down, thats 30 trips on a 200 trip year and that $10K loss kills your profit.