Gamefisher II is a sport fishing business for sale based on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Since 1987 the owners have spent their careers building, fine tuning, and perfecting their business and have built a local and international reputation as being the best in class with a crew that bring decades of experience, utilizing premium fishing equipment on a 31′ custom-built Palm Beach day boat sport fisher that has been meticulously maintained and upgraded over the years.
These attributes have paid dividends: Gamefisher II fished a remarkable 190 days in 2022, and prior years (except the COVID years) have fared similarly. On average the business has grossed over $230,000 per year over the last 10 years (except for 2020 - the year of COVID, where revenue was 50% of normal). Yet there are opportunities for growth that the owners have not taken advantage of and which a new owner and operator may benefit from. Marketing has generally been conducted by word of mouth, reputation, and referrals, and significantly more market share is possible with a proactive social media and travel booking marketing strategy. Tourism and specifically sport fishing in Costa Rica has boomed since COVID, supported by increased infrastructure in the region such as the newly opened Flamingo Marina that serves the north coast of Costa Rica and is less than a 60 minute drive to Liberia International Airport (LIR). This business is in a position to push rate in a competitive market that does not have the same prestige, experience, or track record that has been built by the owners. A successful marketing program, combined with efficiency in operations and an incremental increase in rates will continue to separate Gamefisher II from its competition and drive profitability to its new owner.
Gamefisher II’s owners have enjoyed over 30 years of success with Gamefisher II. The business has provided their family with a stable income to build a home, travel and put two children through private schools and University, and save for retirement. They are selling Gamefisher II to have more time to focus their interests on other endeavors, family and leisure.
History
In 1987, Captain Richard Chellemi was hired to captain a new custom-built sport fisher christened Gamefisher II out of the Marina Flamingo. It was one of three beautiful day Gamefisher boats owned by Flamingo Bay Pacific Charters. After only a few years, the boats were up for sale, a serendipitous turn of events which allowed Richard and his wife Melissa to take over the charter business in 1991 that they continue to own and operate 32 years later. The business has steadily grown, thanks to a strong repeat client base and word of mouth. Even in lean times it has remained strong enough to sustain itself through the recession of 2008 and the worldwide COVID crisis in which Costa Rica’s airports were closed to tourism for 7 months.
Crew
Gamefisher II’s crew is composed of Captain Richard Chellemi, Captain Junior Bustos Abarca, and First Mate Diego Lopez.
In Costa Rica, it is rare to find a sportfishing charter boat with a crew that has worked together so closely for so long. The crew do more than handle the boat and clean the fish: they are teachers and mentors to sportfishing newcomers, skilled professionals, and seasoned veterans.
Captain Chellemi's first mate, Junior Bustos Abarca from Potrero, Guanacaste, was his mate in the cockpit for 20 years before being promoted to Captain. This original Gamefisher II team began to earn its reputation in the national and international sportfishing community as one of Costa Rica’s most sought-after charter fishing outfits.
Two decades ago, then 15-year-old, Diego Lopez showed up to help wash down the boat. A few years later he became second mate for Junior. Diego is a quick study and a natural. Shortly thereafter, Captain Chellemi handed the helm over to Captain Junior and the cockpit became Diego's. Diego’s skill has taken him by client invitation to fish the Cape Verde and Spain. All of their years spent working and fishing together is the reason why the Gamefisher II crew members work together like a fine-tuned machine.
The crew on the Gamefisher II has collaborated with marine biologist and underwater cinematographer Rick Rosenthal, a four-time Emmy award winner in producing documentary films for the BBC Blue Planet Series and PBS Winds of the Papagayos, Hunters of the Sea Winds, Dark Side of the Ocean and Superfish. Through this experience the crew members have a greater understanding of marine life, which helps them to practice and teach sustainable, responsible fishing.
Boat and Equipment
Licensed and fully insured, the Gamefisher II is a 31′ custom-built Palm Beach day boat design sport fisher. She is of cold molded wood construction, made in San José, Costa Rica, powered by twin Volvo turbocharged diesel engines, and equipped with a Pipe Welders marlin tower. She is immaculately kept, for comfortable inshore and offshore day charters.
Registration Number-GPC-2128
Name- Gamefisher II
Class- Passenger
Hull Material- Fiber Glass and Wood
Where built- San Jose
Year of Construction- 1987
LOA- 9.83 mts
Beam -2.98 mts
Draft – 2.00 mt
Gross tonnage-3.85 Net tonnage-1.73
Owner: Siglo Sesenta, S.A.
Capacity- (6) passengers, (2) crew
Engine- (2) Yanmar turbo charged marine diesel engines New: 2023
Tankage: Fuel- 680 liters, water- 130 liters
Safety equipment: (2) 2 kg ABC portable fire extinguisher, (4) bilge pumps
Reported approximate Displacement is 9,000 lbs.
Hull Construction
Gamefisher II is cold molded fiberglass and epoxy resin over wood construction with a modified V hull and semi keel. The hull is constructed of triple diagonal-planked epoxy laminated local laurel wood, cold molded and covered outside with fiberglass and epoxy resin. The hull chines are of solid mahogany. The cabin sides are also laminated with plywood and covered with fiberglass and epoxy resin. The decks are made of plywood, covered with fiberglass and epoxy resin.
Maintenance History and Philosophy
The guiding philosophy for maintenance on Gamefisher II has always been “to never miss a day of fishing due to breakdowns or failures.” This guiding philosophy has dictated a strict regimen of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance tasks which, while sometimes limiting the number of days possible to fish, have ensured that almost every single day fished has been free of equipment related setbacks, delays, and emergencies. This philosophy has contributed to the reputation of Gamefisher II in the industry and the repeat business that it has enjoyed over the decades.
A copy of the most recent Survey Report conducted in 2022 is available to qualified buyers.
Pricing Guidance
Gamefisher II is being offered for sale as a business with all assets, working crew, intellectual property, and the new power system for $420,000
Boat repowered*: $260,000 (*new 2023 Yanmar engines)
Business: $160,000
Total: $420,000
1.8x of average annual gross revenue
For more information, please contact us by using the form below.
