Gas etiquette

[Dante2004]

If you take the same group of people out on a somewhat regular basis...as opposed to that ONE time you ask a particular friend along...I don't see a problem with the "guests" paying for ALL the fuel.

You bought the truck to pull the boat
You bought the boat
You bought the gear
You pay the insurance
You pay the maintenance
You pay the storage
You have to do all the work to clean it up and take care of it when no one is around

That's how I always worked it out with my friends. It was actually their idea, not mine. Of course I didn't disagree!

I'd bring the boat to the lake full of fuel. We ride all day doing whatever...then we would stop at the gas staion on the way home and fill it up...



Outside of the $$$$...


Definitely offer to help out. Even if you have no clue what you are doing. Someone said that it is good to at least stay with the person while they do the work (if you can't help) rather than just jumping in your car and leaving. I agree. Particularly when "new" people come out, they don't have a clue how to help out when it comes time to wipe down the boat and put the gear away. And I don't really mind. But it is nice when they stick around and chat while I do the work. Plus they can watch and learn and maybe the next time they can pitch in a little.

We used to take the boat out after work quite a bit...
A couple of my friends that I used to boat with a lot, would actually go over to my house (they got out of work earlier) and load up the boat and hitch up the truck so that when I got home all I had to do was jump in the truck and leave. Did I expect that? Heck no. But it sure was nice! They got always got invited!

[jeeptchr]

I agree with a bunch of the postings. I'm in the habit of filling the boat up on the way to the lake, it's a 45 min haul to any lake from where I live, I was doing the math yesterday, each day on the lake will be approx 150-200 bucks in fuel between the truck (diesel) and the boat. Usually friends will pick up dinner or bring beer or food, Honestly, I'd rather find money in the glovebox. I don't drink that much on the water (have to tow home) and feel kinda weird asking friends for money when I invite them along.
Usually the only money I will turn down is from gal's. The eye candy is worth their fuel share
Offering to help out is always a plus, just getting gear out of the boat at the end of the day is a great help.

Dante I really dig how your friends help out!

[supremelandingmaster]

good advice

[Goochy]

If I invite you , its great to offer cash , if you invite yourself , BRING CASH ! I always take the cash , diesel for truck , boat , insurance , gear , cleaning supplies , boat launch FEE ! , it adds UP!!!! I like $20.00 - $40.00 if we stay ALL DAY . $5.00 - $10 .00 is WRONG . Unless you bring food or water . Offer to come over on rainy days to work/clean rig . Owning a boat is $$$$$$$$$$$$$

http://www.texashydrofoil.com/boat_whore_rules.htm


Here is a list that a LIKE !!!

[JeffreyCH]

Goochy, Great list, that about sums it up

[Okie Boarder]

Awesome list.

[Goochy]

13 Simple Rules to not Piss off a Boat Owner!

1. Always offer money. $5 is nice, but $10-15 is more realistic. This does not simply cover the gas of the boat, it covers maintenance, insurance, trailer tags, boat storage, registration, and gas for the truck to get the boat to the Lake.

2. Always offer to clean the boat. Cleaning usually means wiping down the boat at the end of the day, but if you are a regular you should volunteer to do more. On the days when it is blown out come over and help wax, or clean the interior. Maybe show up one day with some cleaner because that stuff is expensive to.

3. Never invite someone else to come along without first talking to the boat owner.

4. Ask how many people are going to ride that day, if it is over 4 find an alternate ride. Having 7-10 people in the boat isgreat for the wake, but it sucks for riding. There is nothing worse then being a boat owner and towing 10 people.

5. Never go first unless you are told by the owner to go. The owner gets to choose whether or not he wants the first glass. More often then not he will defer to someone else.

6. Never let the owner go last. He has to have his fun too.

7. Always volunteer to drive..

8. Watch what you bring in the boat. Doritos and Cheetos taste great, but having them rubbed in the carpet is not. Also, finding a Dorito 2 weeks later that is hidden by something is not pleasant.

9. Always take off your shoes when getting in the boat, even if the owner does not. It is his investment to treat the way that he wants, not yours. Try to not step on the seats, sometimes you can not help it but try.

10. Bring something to drink ,Water and Cokes and stuff, but only cans. Never bring glass.

11. If you can only be there for 30 minutes, and then you have to leave, do not bother coming. There are very few things worse then having to stop and take someone back to the dock. Also, it kills the riding time.

12. Do not do your parade run over and over again. Never do a trick more then 3 times, seeing a trick over and over drives people in the boat bonkers.

13. Do not ride for more then 15 minutes. Everybody else in the boat has to ride too, but if the owner wants to ride for 40 minutes let him. It is his boat and he can.

[BrianABE]

I posted this up on Atlwake.com and the guys added some to it....

14. Do not bring a bookbag, we aren't going on a 7 day cruise through the Caribbean so there is no need for you to bring three changes of clothes and 4 beach towels. A boat doesn't have overhead bins and stowing 4 bookbags is rather annoying.

15. Do not throw your board in the bow of the boat, board racks are made for, YES, Boards!

16. Show up on time. Or early. Never, ever, make the boat owner wait for you.

[JeffreyCH]

17. If you bring your girlfriend and she has nice tits she MUST show them

**unless it's a family outing

[Goochy]

18 ... no tubing unless you have small kids