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Old 07-31-2019, 05:42 PM   #31
fishstew
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

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Originally Posted by carrasco View Post
I am truly glad that you had a great time and that you are one of his loyal return customers.
However, would your opinion be the same if your boat was a heap that broke down repeatedly and ended up with no fish as a result of it.

If this guy doesn’t improve his operation by retiring his garbage motors, even guys like you will soon be writing post like these. Its just a matter of time.
Since you are going back, please share with us when you return, whether the same 125 2stroke Mercury engine is still being used. Whats more, why don't you jump on that boat and test it out.
As for the TV, how much can it possibly cost him to put those in? The answer is a lot in lost drinks’ revenue. No one in my party drinks- so yes, a TV would have been nice.
My two cents to your 2 cents.
Like I said, I'm not trying to argue with you. I'll definitely let you know how my trip goes. I've never had an issue with any of the boats but I'm sure that must have been a huge bummer. I'm confident the issue will be fixed by November when I get there so hopefully I wont have that kind of issue.

As far as the TV situation....all I said was that it wasn't an issue for me. There's lots more to do down there than either drink or watch tv so i've never had an issue in that department....I, like a lot of people who make trips to Baja, actually enjoy being away from TV's and technology and distractions so it's actually a plus for me, but that's just me and you're free to have your own preferences.

The point of my post wasn't to blast you or to call you a liar, just to share my own experience down there so people reading the thread have more than one point of view which I think is fair. Don't take my post personally. I've had nothing but good experienced down there and so I think it's fair enough to share my own point of view.
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Old 07-31-2019, 05:50 PM   #32
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

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Originally Posted by Fernando8884 View Post
Shiz happens & it sucks! I personally know well over 50 people who have had exceptional experiences at PV. I'll consider PV as a 4.5 star Yelp review. Can't please everybody & it definitely sounds like an effort was made. I'll be planning a trip in the next few months. As for the TV thing, they should be banned in Baja!
Fernando,
First, Where in the entire thread did you see that an effort was made?

Second, You don't know 50 people unless you met them in your patty wagon!

Anyway, when and if you do make it back- let us know how it went for you- good or bad.

Last, I am surprised you are not exclaiming “stay out of PV, cause its my spot.”

-Enjoy you trip and good luck, you are going to need it.
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Old 07-31-2019, 05:53 PM   #33
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

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Originally Posted by fishstew View Post
Like I said, I'm not trying to argue with you. I'll definitely let you know how my trip goes. I've never had an issue with any of the boats but I'm sure that must have been a huge bummer. I'm confident the issue will be fixed by November when I get there so hopefully I wont have that kind of issue.

As far as the TV situation....all I said was that it wasn't an issue for me. There's lots more to do down there than either drink or watch tv so i've never had an issue in that department....I, like a lot of people who make trips to Baja, actually enjoy being away from TV's and technology and distractions so it's actually a plus for me, but that's just me and you're free to have your own preferences.

The point of my post wasn't to blast you or to call you a liar, just to share my own experience down there so people reading the thread have more than one point of view which I think is fair. Don't take my post personally. I've had nothing but good experienced down there and so I think it's fair enough to share my own point of view.
Yup,
Makes sense. Just ask if the boat you are jumping on has had mechanical issues and avoid it. And especially, don’t go on the boat with the Mercury 2stroke engine.

Fair enough and good luck!
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Old 07-31-2019, 06:04 PM   #34
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

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Originally Posted by carrasco View Post
Fernando,
First, Where in the entire thread did you see that an effort was made?

Second, You don't know 50 people unless you met them in your patty wagon!

Anyway, when and if you do make it back- let us know how it went for you- good or bad.

Last, I am surprised you are not exclaiming “stay out of PV, cause its my spot.”

-Enjoy you trip and good luck, you are going to need it.
The 50 number is probably on the low end. I've been actively involved in operating a spearfishing organization for the past 10 years.The effort I saw made came through reading your post & his response, the truth is typically somewhere in the middle. I've seen newbs to long time spearos kill it out there. I never said your experience didn't suck. 1 bad experience out of the 50 plus exceptional experiences I personally know of will not deter me. Expect pics of Slobs & stay off my Spotz!
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Old 07-31-2019, 06:22 PM   #35
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

Well then go for it! Just don’t go sending pictures of fish someone else shot to save face. And... you got spots alright- Ha!
Good luck
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Old 07-31-2019, 08:43 PM   #36
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Re: Palapas Ventana

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Originally Posted by Tim Hatler View Post
http://spearboard.com/showpost.php?p...8&postcount=18

happy to answer any questions email me
17 years in business and packed with return customers
and always improving
Sea of Cortez resort and camp plus Mag Bay house on the island
liveaboards on both sides of Baja and 3 weeks a year Panama Tuna liveaboards
Love my Job
You tried to dive and fish on the boats on the same day? Hmmmmmmm.........
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Old 08-01-2019, 11:57 AM   #37
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Re: Palapas Ventana

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Originally Posted by Pfish View Post
You tried to dive and fish on the boats on the same day? Hmmmmmmm.........
Yup,
We do this on my boat at Catalina all the time! One guy stays on the boat H&L fishing and driving the boat while two others dive. Your point?
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Old 08-01-2019, 12:03 PM   #38
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

Thanks for all your responses guys! Whether you agree or disagree with my, all readers got a good, balanced sense of the operation. From both perspectives.
I consider my intent achieved!
Unless your rear hurts, its time to leave this alone-

Out!
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Old 08-01-2019, 12:44 PM   #39
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

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Originally Posted by kelppaddie View Post
Respectfully, I (and our group that goes down there) has nothing but positive things to say about Palapas Ventana. I have only experienced a top notch spearfishing destination. Diving has been variable for us. We have shot 10 wahoo in 3 days and sometimes none in the same amount of time. If you look at the tournament they had this year, last, the one before that...etc. you will see divers shoot great fish there.

1. This 4% fee is on the bill before you pay them and they have always been upfront about waving this if you pay cash.

2. We have had changing captains but have found all to be very professional and experienced.

3. Really? Complaining about not having a television in your room in Baja? Were you under the impression that you were staying at a 4 star resort? The website is very clear about the accommodations.

4. Did you communicate this to Tim before arriving?

5. Bring a woman who is happy sitting on a beach or BY THE POOL, getting dirt cheap massages, reading, snorkeling, paddleboarding, going on the boat, walking the beach, fishing/diving. This can all be researched before hand and should not be a complaint considering you knew where you were going (unless you didn't do your research).

I understand going somewhere and spending the money and not catching the fish you were expecting, we have all been there. It seemed like Tim tried to make it right by discounting the already relatively low cost of a trip and you still came on the internet to bitch. That is bush.

PV, Tim and his whole crew is top notch.

This^

I've been a client of Tim and Co since 2003 or so averaging at least a couple trips to PV each year and I have the background to be able to compare it to pretty much anywhere that anyone here has read about.

I put one guy running a trip to Baja out of business after he totally botched a trip I was on, so I realize the strength of online reviews and complaints. This guy deserved it as I found out after the fact. I hadn't done my due diligence to discover he was a complete flake. This is totally opposite of Tim's operation and that the OP is bent out of shape is an anomoly to the extent that he may be the 2nd I've ever heard about and to be honest, the first unsatisfied client was, like the OP, a self absorbed jackass with no skills and less class.

Look, it's BAJA!! The unexpected and comical are what makes the trip memorable! My very first trip to Tim's, I met his Mother on the highway 15 miles away in the desert when a piece of plywood flew out of her truck and over mine! This was 10 minutes after nearly dying from a semi with trailer swerving from a cow on the road and not seeing me alongside!

I've been on a trip at PV where a solid, reliable outboard took a puke and we had to get towed back in and naturally it was in the afternoon when the predictable winds come up and my gal and I got beat and wet but never did it seem that it was Tim's fault. It's freaking BAJA and it's happened to me in other locales and with different operations as well. I won't return to Punta Mita for the guy's stupidity... So frikkin' what? It was still an amazing time and makes me smile remembering it now.

I've also been there at Cerralvo and the Pacific side when I've been walled with Pargo. I've been the traffic cone for a massive school of small tuna that extended for well over half a mile and churned the surface white while my gal and the panga captain just screamed and laughed while I got massaged by the tails. I've shot more of my biggest wahoo with Tim than anywhere and it's because he and his crew put me on them and he's escorted my gal who was a total newbie to what is affectionally called the aquarium where she was swallowed up by tropicals. That's stuff you just don't forget and it changes you.

Yeah, I also left after a week there with a empty cooler but it wasn't for lack of trying. I pass on 90% of the fish I see and I'm fine with that and if a operation claims to be able to put me on a trophy, I pass on them too. There's no way to guarantee anything when it comes to this but the ONE thing that Tim will guarantee is that he and his staff will do their best to make your time there, enjoyable. If it's memorable, that's up to you.

It's clear the OP was expecting something different, maybe being met at day's end with a margarita at the waters edge, under swaying palms with topless women hotter than those in his group. That's not PV and it's not BAJA. If he got a deal to begin with at the Fred Hall and didn't clue in the staff to any quirks held by his party, it's on him. If he didn't speak right up after the first day, it's on him. If he didn't speak up the second day, it's on him. If he insisted on having to dive shallow while his buddy went H&L, it's on the both of them. If he went all, "I'm due a discount 'cause..." at the end, he's got zero class. Almost as little class as the wannabe's jumping on here to pimp there deals. F*^k off, wannabe's!

Tim did everything he advertised and dealt with the hiccups as best he could. It's BAJA! He offered up a discount to make it right and the OP figures it's not enough... what's enough?! I have a familiar feeling the OP could have gotten a freebie and he'd still be wanking here to make his circle of tools envious.

Here's a little advice OP- you have zero to bitch about. You also have zero right to be here talking shit. Go pull your pud with one of the wannabe's advertising they're better and when you're unsatisfied there as well, go look in a mirror.

Last edited by 415dvr; 08-01-2019 at 04:16 PM.
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Old 08-01-2019, 01:35 PM   #40
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

Quote:
Originally Posted by 415dvr View Post
This^

I've been a client of Tim and Co since 2003 or so averaging at least a couple trips to PV each year and I have the background to be able to compare it to pretty much anywhere that anyone here has read about.

I put one guy running a trip to Baja out of business after he totally botched a trip I was on, so I realize the strength of online reviews and complaints. This guy deserved it as I found out after the fact. I hadn't done my due diligence to discover he was a complete flake. This is totally opposite of Tim's operation and that the OP is bent out of shape is an anomoly to the extent that he may be the 2nd I've ever heard about and to be honest, the first unsatisfied client was a self absorbed jackass with no skills and less class.

Look, it's BAJA!! The unexpected and comical are what makes the trip memorable! My very first trip to Tim's, I met his Mother on the highway 15 miles away in the desert when a piece of plywood flew out of her truck and over mine! This was 10 minutes after nearly dying from a semi with trailer swerving from a cow on the road and not seeing me alongside!

I've been on a trip at PV where a solid, reliable outboard took a puke and we had to get towed back in and naturally it was in the afternoon when the predictable winds come up and my gal and I got beat and wet but never did it seem that it was Tim's fault. It's freaking BAJA and it's happened to me in other locales and with different operations as well. I won't return to Punta Mita for the guy's stupidity... So frikkin' what? It was still an amazing time and makes me smile remembering it now.

I've also been there at Cerralvo and the Pacific side when I've been walled with Pargo. I've been the traffic cone for a massive school of small tuna that extended for well over half a mile and churned the surface white while my gal and the panga captain just screamed and laughed while I got massaged by the tails. I've shot more of my biggest wahoo with Tim than anywhere and it's because he and his crew put me on them and he's escorted my gal who was a total newbie to what is affectionally called the aquarium where she was swallowed up by tropicals. That's stuff you just don't forget and it changes you.

Yeah, I also left after a week there with a empty cooler but it wasn't for lack of trying. I pass on 90% of the fish I see and I'm fine with that and if a operation claims to be able to put me on a trophy, I pass on them too. There's no way to guarantee anything when it comes to this but the ONE thing that Tim will guarantee is that he and his staff will do their best to make your time there, enjoyable. If it's memorable, that's up to you.

It's clear the OP was expecting something different, maybe being met at day's end with a margarita at the waters edge, under swaying palms with topless women hotter than those in his group. That's not PV and it's not BAJA. If he got a deal to begin with at the Fred Hall and didn't clue in the staff to any quirks held by his party, it's on him. If he didn't speak right up after the first day, it's on him. If he didn't speak up the second day, it's on him. If he insisted on having to dive shallow while his buddy went H&L, it's on the both of them. If he went all, "I'm due a discount 'cause..." at the end, he's got zero class. Almost as little class as the wannabe's jumping on here to pimp there deals. F*^k off, wannabe's!

Tim did everything he advertised and dealt with the hiccups as best he could. It's BAJA! He offered up a discount to make it right and the OP figures it's not enough... what's enough?! I have a familiar feeling the OP could have gotten a freebie and he'd still be wanking here to make his circle of tools envious.

Here's a little advice OP- you have zero to bitch about. You also have zero right to be here talking shit. Go pull your pud with one of the wannabe's advertising they're better and when you're unsatisfied there as well, go look in a mirror.
First off,
You have to learn to read and retain information. How is PV not acting irresponsible when they say they replaced a starer motor after breaking down at sea. The same boat breaks down again and you find out it was BS, the starter was not fixed! I paid for, expect and should be fishing on a boat that does not regularly break down! That is not more than reasonable!

Who, other than some bleeding-heart enamored PV fan not agree that a paying customer would not be upset about that.

Or the fact that on numerous occasions, the entire staff was reminded of specific dietary restrictions of my party. Suppose it was a food allergy and my party was fed an allergenic out at sea- it could potentially cost a life.
I am glad you enjoy PV, I really am. But you have to get off the sauce, slow down and read with more than your point of view in mind.
As for the cost- Tim offers a price for a service, if the client accepts, thats the deal. Once all duties have been met, he is paid! We paid him, despite the dissatisfaction. His $100 discount was given back to his staff!

That was my experience, I have shared it as you have shared yours. That was the point.
Point made!

OUT!
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Last edited by carrasco; 08-01-2019 at 01:48 PM.
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Old 08-01-2019, 01:52 PM   #41
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

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Originally Posted by carrasco View Post
Thanks for all your responses guys! Whether you agree or disagree with my, all readers got a good, balanced sense of the operation. From both perspectives.
I consider my intent achieved!
Out!
If you're OUT, why are you choosing to comment, then?
It's clear your intent was to throw rocks and run and your definition of balance is clearly skewed. My bleeding heart is exceeded only by your bleeding butthurt.
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Old 08-01-2019, 02:32 PM   #42
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

Quote:
Originally Posted by carrasco View Post
First off,
You have to learn to read and retain information. How is PV not acting irresponsible when they say they replaced a starer motor after breaking down at sea. The same boat breaks down again and you find out it was BS, the starter was not fixed! I paid for, expect and should be fishing on a boat that does not regularly break down! That is not more than reasonable!

Who, other than some bleeding-heart enamored PV fan not agree that a paying customer would not be upset about that.

Or the fact that on numerous occasions, the entire staff was reminded of specific dietary restrictions of my party. Suppose it was a food allergy and my party was fed an allergenic out at sea- it could potentially cost a life.
I am glad you enjoy PV, I really am. But you have to get off the sauce, slow down and read with more than your point of view in mind.
As for the cost- Tim offers a price for a service, if the client accepts, thats the deal. Once all duties have been met, he is paid! We paid him, despite the dissatisfaction. His $100 discount was given back to his staff!

That was my experience, I have shared it as you have shared yours. That was the point.
Point made!

OUT!
Just to clear up the truth on repairs. The starter was replaced and you were not lied to by us. The second failure was the Monito and has been replaced also. We do not send people out on boats with known problems ever! When and if there are problems we react as fast as possible.

The second boat you refer to was a alternator overcharging which exploded both batteries and fried the engines computer. Not a poor maintenance program. We run a strict daily maintenance program with quality certified mechanics and an inventory of replacement parys that commonly fail or are used in scheduled maitenance.

No matter how well you maintain a boat failures like these are always possible and can not be anticipated. The boat you are referring to has not broken down 10 times before your trip and in fact has been used in all recent trips and being used now.

Those are the boat facts
Brock Kennedy
General Manager
Palapas Ventana
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Old 08-01-2019, 03:26 PM   #43
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

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Originally Posted by BKTIPS View Post
Just to clear up the truth on repairs. The starter was replaced and you were not lied to by us. The second failure was the Monito and has been replaced also. We do not send people out on boats with known problems ever! When and if there are problems we react as fast as possible.

The second boat you refer to was a alternator overcharging which exploded both batteries and fried the engines computer. Not a poor maintenance program. We run a strict daily maintenance program with quality certified mechanics and an inventory of replacement parys that commonly fail or are used in scheduled maitenance.

No matter how well you maintain a boat failures like these are always possible and can not be anticipated. The boat you are referring to has not broken down 10 times before your trip and in fact has been used in all recent trips and being used now.

Those are the boat facts
Brock Kennedy
General Manager
Palapas Ventana
Brock,
I appreciate your explanation. Never the less, I find what you are saying difficult to believe only because, I saw the engine, (cowling removed) and saw first-hand the exact same starter. At this point, it is a matter of difference between what you say was done and what I actually saw.

Also, you must know that the intel on the old 2stroke Mercury motor failing 10 times before came directly from your staff.
Whats more, Tim stated that he acknowledged that the engine was problematic and that he was saving up to replace it.
Your operation is the only one I have ever been in that uses 2stroke Mercury engines! Even the Rosarito/Popotla Pangueros use 4stroke Yamahas.

In my previous three responses, I have stated that I am satisfied with what has been shared on all sides and prepared to let the matter rest.

You are of course welcome to continue the dialogue.

-OUT, OUT, OUT!
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Old 08-01-2019, 05:17 PM   #44
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

Hey 415, in case you didn't get my p.m, fck you!
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Old 08-01-2019, 06:01 PM   #45
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Re: Palapas Ventana Flop

Thanks everyone for their feed back. I can understand where Carrasco is coming from. I would be pissed too if I planned my vacation and had to spend time on issues like that. I hardly get time off as I am working 6 to 7 days a week. Having a boat engine fail is a big safety concern if there was an emergency, or if the wind picks up in rough seas etc. and being stuck out there just sucks. I get your frustration if it happens once, but twice, well all that was needed was for a dog to piss on your shoes to make your trip even more complete. Customer satisfaction is everything and it's good to hear also the good reviews of Palapas. I'm sure this doesn't happen often and would like to one day do this trip but not experience what you went thru.
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