Boat etiquette

ksvander · Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 12

What is the etiquette on pitching in for gas?

I have always been of the opinion that the person who supplies the boat shouldn't be paying for gas... yet I am continually shocked and amazed by how many people can't figure this out.

I noticed a guy out there who's motto is "my boat doesn't run on thanx" I assume he is refering to gas.

Any thoughts???

P.S. before any body gets on me about possibly mispelling etiquette... I dont care [:p]

DavidHoff · Posted: Oct 12, 2004 8:12 pm Post subject:

ksvander, good question. Boat etiquette (sp) is very important.

Most people would say $5 dollars per set. So If you want to take 3 timely sets then I would suggest $15. And normally, on someone elses boat, 3 or less is about the amount of sets your going to get (exclude being out for the whole day).

And yes there is a saying (and a sticker) that says "This boat runs on gas, not thank yous!" And yes it's referring to gas.

ksvander · Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 12

Thanx for the reply...

What you said makes sense to me... now... if we can get all those who are "less educated" to read this post... we shall have made a difference.

Food for thought... A buddy of mine always refuses to accept gas money when he takes his boat out... so I always leave a $20 in his truck at the end of the day... he has yet to call me up and complain.

Nuff said.

wakedad1 · Addict Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 667 City: Discovery Bay

When I take out my boat i usually get around 10 bucks per rider, and when I'm out on someone else's boat I kick down 10-20 bucks.

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

It's always nice to receive money for gas. But that money should also cover the upkeep of the boat (cleaning supplies, insurance, vests, ropes, gear, etc.....thing your riders may not think about). That being said, I usually on get about $5 per person for gas, or one person ends up paying for the whole tank (~$20-$25).

Here's a link to a topic about helping out when you go out on a friend's boat.
http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=26844&highlight=boat+whore

It's also, not just the money that riders should help out on. They should also help wipe down the boat, clean out the trash, bring drinks and food for everyone, among many others. And during the off season or on a day you're not riding, they could come over and help you change the oil or wax the boat.

Also, some friends of mine and I that all own boats, don't give each other money because it all evens out when they ride on my boat or I ride on theirs.

ksvander · Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 12

Another good point... especially the part about all your friends having boats... no need to complicate matters when pay back (a tangible thank you) is always around the corner.

I was thinking that it is hard enough to get people to pitch in for gas let alone getting them to put any elbow grease into the upkeep of the boat.

Perhaps I am being too cynical... by the sounds of it... there ARE some good, grateful people out there...

Thanx Smile

novice04 · Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2004 Posts: 37

Some of my friends seem to think a boat gets better gas mileage than a honda civic...seriously, one actually asked that. Most of my guy friends are pretty good about throwin in for gas, but it still annoys me when girls call ya up and ask to go boating and dont give any money. I mean i can see if i invite the girls, but when they do it themselves bring some money, most of them are good lookin but untill they get naked i'd like to see a LITTLE cash.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Gas prices have gone up... If we go out for a good part of the day I'll throw in a $20. If we just go out for a quicky (2 hours or so...) then I'll throw in a $10.

Not to mention I'll always bring enough beer for the boat owner.

Stick around to clean the boat afterwards.

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

If your friends are serious wakeboarders (usually owning their own boards) they are generally better at giving money and helping out with stuff on the boat. But if the call you up and want to go out on your boat and use your board and wear their shoes in the boat (while stepping on the seat cushions) it's not as easy to get money from them.
That's why I take my boat over to a friend's house (since I don't have a driveway at my condo) and wax the boat, or install a stereo....that way they are more inclined to help out.

The only drawback about people helping out when you're putting the boat in or taking it out of the water, is you might forget something that you're used to doing yourself. (for example...I had a friend help put the boat in one day and he forgot to put the drainplugs in before he launched it....luckily he got it back out on the trailer before it sank).

Partyb · Posted: Oct 16, 2004 5:06 am Post subject:

My "crew" agreed on $15 for 2 sets, $20 for three. With gas prices 5 bucks is too little. Especially if you don't have a boat yourself. If you don't have a boat, you should be happy to pay the driver $10 per set, that's way cheaper then having your own boat.

640Pressman · Addict Joined: 14 Nov 2003 Posts: 753

I think partryb is right.....Ten bucks a set is about right. Gas is 2.47 for 87 octane here and five bucks won't cut it.

jayp · Criminal Joined: 13 Aug 2004 Posts: 69 City: Portland

I never gave it a second thought about paying for gas and such. If you don't have a boat like me then you should be willing to pay for gas. I started wakeboarding this summer and decided I liked it, wanted to continue doing it, and that it was going to cost me money. I bought my own board, bindings, and vest. I filled my friends boat tank many times and alway contibuted to the gas fund. I always helped clean and keep things in order. I also became the only other driver on the boat. Due to that I always have a seat and get to ride first most of the time. I think it is well worth it. We banned a few people from the boat for being cheap.

If you don't pay you don't play.

baggyman · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 331 City: Vegas

i switch off with a buddy and we use his boat when we go the river i always give him 40bucks. i just think about it this way. I dont have to tow my boat to the river and fill it up with gas. 40$ is nothin for a day of pulls and playin on the beach. he usually buys us breakfast after the morning runs but that is up to him.

roundbaywakeboard · Posted: Oct 17, 2004 6:43 pm Post subject:

Why can't more guys like you ride with me? My crew stiffs me. Come to think of it, we've been riding together for 3 years and I havnt seen a cent! You are all welcome on my boat!

D-GOOSE · Addict Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 750 City: Antelope

ksvander · Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 12

I think the underlying message in everyones responses is...

It's not about recovering your exact fuel costs on a daily basis... but more about the people you ride with having some respect for you, your boat and the fact that owning a boat is very expensive... as long as they pitch in... its more of the "it's the thought that counts" principle.

When possible, I think I am going to make it a point of pulling into a marina to fuel up before I let people off the boat at the end of the day... that way they will see that it costs $40-$80CDN/day just in fuel costs to run a big horsepower V8 boat... if they dont pitch in after that... I would consider finding some new buddies to ride with or flat out ask for $$$ before putting the boat in the H2O.

That or suck it up and try and not let it ruin you day...

Bowen · Posted: Oct 22, 2004 10:36 am Post subject:

I think it was best put in another thread. "5 bucks is nice, 10-15 is more realistic". Also, I usually try to pay the fee it costs to launch the boat at certain ramps. Its just an extra thanks that is appreciated. Also, in california (SoCal at least) there are certain "Wakeboard courses" that are more shielded that you need to pay to get into. I usually try to pay for part of this too.

Also consider how far away the place where you ride is from where ur buddy keeps his/her boat. Gas is expensive for the tow rig too. One of my buddies says he out at least $50 by the time he launches the boat. 'cause he initially fills up the boat, he pays to launch, he pays for the wakeboard pass, and he pays for the gas in his truck. this is why I usually try and compensate for certain things like that.

DunDunDun · Posted: Oct 22, 2004 1:18 pm Post subject:

when i go with my friends i usually dont pay, were all 15 and his dad drives the boat so im the one outta the van and holding the rope standing in te freezing cold water. and i usually put most of the cover on and its my first year to so i waxed the boat with their dad. they were inside and i wasout with their dad waxing the boat. Rolling Eyes

it all helps in the end though,

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

ksvander, here is a great article to read, print out, and give to your friends.

http://www.wakeworld.com/articles/2002/thatguy.asp

Bowen · Posted: Oct 23, 2004 1:25 pm Post subject:

DunDunDun, Being that you're 15, and a friends dad is always the one driving, I'd say thats alright. I have a good deal of friends who I go out with, yes, even still with their dads, and their dads won't even let me pay...it's cool, but I also feel bad so I help out in any way possible, as I do on any other boat, but even more for them. Just keep doin what your doin, don't loose those friends, and it'll probably still be a free ride for you.

colefooter · Posted: Oct 23, 2004 5:53 pm Post subject:

i go on my friends boat a lot, but he comes on ours a lot too.. so it basically all equals out

Guest · Posted: Oct 23, 2004 9:07 pm Post subject:

When I take friends out, they ussually put in a few decently lengthed sets. We don't make them pay gas, but they pay the 15 dollars per person it costs to get into the resort. On each of their first trips out on the boat, each and every one of them offered a generous amount of money to pay for gas, and seeing that, I have never made them pay gas. I declined it and knowing they have respect for the boat, and they do, detailing it thoroughly after every single outing. 5-7 guys pull apart and detail the boat, cover it up, clean up shop, and head out in about an hour and a half. Most of them have been going out on the lake with us for the last few years we've lived here; over four boats ago.

Some have their own boats, and the same rule has been established on their boats. After all, we are the ones that hooked them on wakeboarding.

Then again, I've been on some folks' boats in a situation where they intend on receiving every penny due. Riding time metered in minutes, ballast/no ballast/how much ballast, etc etc. It's not a fun situation, and after paying I decided I was never going to head out with them again. Confused

roundbaywakeboard · Posted: Oct 25, 2004 11:52 am Post subject:

My boat is still dirty because my friends are A-holes. Thanks, guys!

colefooter · Posted: Oct 25, 2004 4:52 pm Post subject:

roundbaywakeboard, good friends huh? Rolling Eyes

JASON@SWCC · Newbie Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 13 City: TYLER

if you have a "buddy" that contenually stiffs you for gas, drinks your "beverages" , eats your munchies and doesnt help with whipe down.....QUIT INVITING THEM!! a few weeks of being land locked might change their tune. it worked for me. i hated to be a "rear end" but i made a good point. $50 for gas $30 for food and drinks $20 for the truck and im out $100 for a weekend on the cheap side....yeah my ol' lady can drive for a while. she helps out better than anyone too. but I have to show approciation there too. its funny how people working together is like a well oiled machine. oh yeah and for you slackers, help roll the rope up and load the boat too. 1" of help will get you a mile of ridin'.

buckthis · Posted: Nov 06, 2004 12:03 pm Post subject:

lets not get too mad at people who don't pay, sometimes they're good friends and its more important how all the people get along in the boat. also, some girls just like to sit in the boat and enjoy that. so, when it comes time for the person who doesn't pay set, just pull him out of the water and once he's up, stop the boat and let him sink down into the water. when he paddles back to the boat and wonders why everyone is laughing, tell him thats all the gas he paid for; he'll get the point.

DJew Jake · Posted: Nov 06, 2004 12:34 pm Post subject:

Me and my friends have a system, we just do a tank rotation, so everytime we fill up someone else pays.