Here's a young guy that gets it.!!!! Good .

Not saying anything new here, but I never ask for gas $$, nor do I expect it. It is normal for my "guests" to buy sandwiches and beers....I take care of the rest. If we go out and stop somewhere with the boat, usually they will offer to pick up a drink or two, which is fine with me.

Poker runs are different. If I do a poker run I will normally set it up in advance with a buddy or two who are willing to split the entry fee, the understanding being that any winnings will also be split evenly. Seems to keep the costs down and there is some incentive to want to chip in (splitting the pot!). Otherwise I pick up all the other expenses.

^^^I am 23 so you dont have to tell me...

I probably should have mentioned that earlier but didnt want all the nay sayers "if you couldnt afford to fill the boat then you shouldnt have bought it" giving me a speech...i wanted to get in the perf boating world...and this is how i do it.

Looks like someone touched a nerve - 5 pages and counting on one day! I am at somewhat of a third extreme - I am a professional and most folks seem to think that I am either loaded or everything is going on the expense account so nobody offers. Neither case is necessarily true - I just don't ask because that was not how I was brought up in boating. I will admit that this can cause an issue now and again - I recently paid admission to a poker run and gave a ride to another professional in a different field I give a lot of business to; a few weeks later, he suggests we co-host an event where he got free tickets so he can meet my clients and then sends me the catering bill!!! :angry-smiley-038:

I wouldnt say I touched a nerve but I do like the feedback (pos or neg)...everyone is entitled to there own opinion and i appreciate that. its just like having boat rules (no shoes, no lotion, no chips, etc), some have different rules than others...

for those of you who use the inviting guests over your house example...you dont expect them to pay for food...then how do you explain pot luck dinners...people have different view points and if someone doesnt agree with it, then thats fine.

+2

At a car show many years back I saw a tiny sticker in the corner of a passenger window. It said: Cash, gas or ass nobody rides for free.

Ditto, Last weekend I took some buddies to Kemah, ran the boat hard the whole way (as usual) 66 miles round trip.

I paid the gas, they helped wash and flush and handle the lines, they bought lunch and beer between them and I got to call them my crew.

I really wouldn't have cared if they had done nothing (docking excluded), I invited them because I enjoy their company and I got to drive most of the time except for letting one get some experience behind the wheel.

I f I ride I'll buy the meal etc.

I think it depends on the situation. Most of my friends have boats so we trade off a lot on which boat to take. In fact, one of my soft rules for passengers on my boat is that they must have their own boat. Of course there are some exceptions to that rule but it’s nice to have a crew that knows what to do and when to do it. If it’s just a casual weekend on our regular lake, the boat owner typically covers the fuel and everyone covers their own drinks, food, etc. Now if it’s a big poker run or out of town weekend, we usually split everything or at least try to make it even on fuel, lodging, entry fees, etc. If we win something, it’s split across the boat. I know when I ride as a passenger, I don’t feel right if I don’t pay for half (or an equal portion) of the fuel bill, lodging, entry fees, etc. I know it’s appreciated and it makes it easier on everyone. I typically get the same in return although it’s not necessarily expected.

My boat is going out anyway,,,, everybody drinks different things so thats generally what I tell them to bring,,,, just what they are drinking.

I've seen that same sticker on a boat before. We watched him untie, & pull away from the marina by himself roughly 30 minutes later. Coincidence? http://smiliesftw.com/x/stickpoke_2.gif


I'm 100% with the others that do not ask for a dime from their friends to go boating with them. I'd feel like the tackiest POS on the water, if I felt comfortable telling people they have to pay me to ride on my boat.

It's always nice when others decide to bring drinks, etc. Or when people offer to pick up the lunch/dinner tab, or something similar. I definitely do not expect that out of someone though.

I invite people to ride with me, so that I can show them a good time. I don't invite them to ride with me, so that they can show ME a good time by paying MY way on MY boat.

I can understand someone that's younger getting to use their family boat, having their high school or college buddies throw in a few bucks to do an event, or run around all weekend. I can't jive with someone that bought a boat though, & cant afford to take their friends along, without asking them to pony up some cash. You'd be burning the gas anyway, so why can't your friends ride along without having to pay your way, on YOUR boat? Is it more fun to ride around & burn the gas by yourself? http://smiliesftw.com/x/hsughno.gif

ROF :D

I have to side with the ones who say they dont expect anything from guests but it is nice when they offer, I dont always accept, some friends have gone as far as going in to use the rest room while I am fueling and giving the attendant their gas card. And I have a very reliable rope monkey that goes on poker runs with me that always splits the gas, again its not expected but it is nice to have someone who takes care of your things like its theirs and appreciates the fact you let them enjoy it.

Well, since my boat hasn't seen the water since I started school, Im basically amongst the boat ride moocher crowd. Also being back in school and not working much I am pretty poor. Even at being poor, I try to be generous to the extent I can, offering what I can. whether its a place to crash in the motr home, some beverages (at races I usually have a cooler of beer nd offer freely, I drink capt. so I buy the beer for the purpose of handing out). As for the boat rides, it really depends on who I am boating with. Within my circle of local friends, they know my situation, they know I will help tying up etc. and that if they ever need anything whether its boating related or not, all they have to do is call. With extended friends etc. I do try and offer what I can. I have done a few poker runs with the patriyachts and given gas money, Last weekend I went up to Charlevoix to hang with Wrinkleface on his Nortech, and picked up dinner and drinks. Next summer I will be done with school and either have the nova back in the water or a new boat and I would't expect nor ask anything from my friends for going out on the boat with me. They are my friends, I enjoy spending time with them, thats why they are my friends. I only expect them to have a good time doing something we enjoy. I will invite them because I want to spend time with them and as their host the boat will have gas and the cooler will have beer. Worrying about who chipped in their fair share or who brought what to drink only detracts from the whole purpose of going boating with your friends.

It's been said that 'Thanks Man! doesn't put gas in the tank, but it's that ear to ear grin when a friend says thanks that boating with friends is all about.

I'll never ask for gas money but I also won't turn down free dough!! That said just bring what you want to drink and don't break anything.

I trailer my boat and I pay for all the gas. I enjoy having my friends go out boating with me cause its more fun. I don't expect anything from them except for helping load/unload the boat, put fenders out when docking, help "catch" the boat when docking, and help anchor when we hit the cove. If they offer to buy drinks or food, its cool but I never expect anything more than a little help.

Well said

The way I look at it my wife and I will be on the water regardless if we have guests with us or not so gas is never an issue. We enjoy the company of friends and that is what makes our weekends so memorable. We normally all work out who is going to bring what as far as food and drinks.

I had several friends out with me this past weekend that had not been out before and while they all offered money for gas, I turned it down. At the end of the day, the fun we all have together is worth far more than the money I would put in the tank.

and thats why your always welcome on my boat Rob. . . . . and I secretly want a ride in the Nova when she hits the water. :drink:

Interesting thread. Most of our friends own boats and I never ever ask for gas money. I have had some literally outrace me to the gas pump or attendant and I ***** but what can you do. I dont boat to break even, I boat because I enjoy it and enjoying with friends makes the experience better. I wakeboard with a relatively fuel efficient boat weekly after work and people bring drinks, ice and snacks, I buy fuel. Most newbees offer to pay for some fuel and I never accept. Only exception is if we do a trip with people then everything is split, hotel, fuel dockage etc.

Ditto, well said, I'm the same way.:drink:

I always have the boat filled with gas and usually in the water already before quests show up. I never accept any cash when offered. I am open when people offer to bring food or there own drinks but sometimes that even runs into a little bit of a problem because they want to bring multiple coolers and suit case full of luggage. I have limited space to work with.

I guess our situation is sort of different. My brother (25) and myself (22) are pretty much the only ones that use our boat, so we split the gas. We moor our boat at a beach club in our bay and it stays there all summer. The bay is only about a mile and a bit long and so all day long we just hop from peoples houses to other beach clubs. For the most part we ski/wakeboard/wakesurf a lot so that is where we spend the majority of our gas. I don't mind taking people for pulls if i have offered, but it sort of bugs me when people say lets go skiing and then its them and a couple of friends that wanna go ski. As far as food and drink, we all have our own charge accounts at the beach club so your're on your own!

Phragle, every one here knows that you have gone back to school, you get a free pass and would be welcome on my boat any time.

The penguin is another matter.

Cheers:drink:

I don't expect anything of my passengers either.. I invited them because I want them to be there and time after time they try and throw money over.. It's greatly appreciated but I don't want it.

Most of my boating friends pay for incidentals but even then I don't really feel comfortable with it.

I think Dave says it right... some get it, some don't.

I usually do the same thing! :drink:

Yeah, you have to love it when they show up with enough supplies for a weeklong vacation! I'm like, folks, I have towels and sunscreen and stuff on board.....:eek:

I would agree with this, however I did have to "uninvite" someone for never offering with anything. it only came to words after I stopped returning his texts or phone calls, which ironically only came on Fri afternoon..hmmm go figure.:rolleyes:

I pay for everything for the boat, fuel, oil dock fees and tipping dock attendants, (because some people don't know to). I always have a cooler full of beer and waters and usually hit a restaurant to eat. the guy above would count out his bill and then add a 10% tip to his portion.

Nobody has respect anymore, or pride in contributing there fair share with out it being suggested, or in many cases demanded of them. Specially this new generation of punk ass college kids that don't work and live on mommy and daddys credit cards cause there going to school "full time" yet go out drinking every night! My buddies run around with a bunch of freeloader college kids that do nothing but devour food and beer and space on his boat. Drove me nuts since I always bought the beer, pulled the boat with my truck and paid for all the diesel fuel plus chipped him boat gas money and helped with slip rent. He wouldn't step up to these people or point out that everyone needs to help out and basically told me tough ****, don't like it don't come. 2 weeks later I bought my boat, he has nothing to pull his with and has to buy all his own beer and everyone elses, and my time on the water has never been better :-)

I generally buy all the fuel.

I have been a boat owner since i was 18 and when your going out everyday skiing and burning fuel it gets expensive for a 20 year old. We always split everything back then. Know that i can afford a new powerboat i dont expect anyone to pay for gas.

But i do expect each guy that comes to bring two girls....:lolhit:

I never "ASK" for any money, but I do expect my friends to BYOB when coming out on the boat. I am lucky to have a awsome "skipper" that has been out 90% of the time and goes the extra mile to help with docking, luanching, and any other help while on board and that meens alot to me instead of the people that just watch you as your trying to jugle three things at once and step around them to make sure the boat gets docked properly. Most of my buddies ask how much does it take to fill up and I wont tell them cuz I feel it makes them think they need to chip in, not that my boat takes alot but most people dont have any concept of what boat ownership cost, so when you tell them 200 to fill the tank they compare it to a car and say holy sh!t. Most of my friends catch my bar tab of flip 20's, I accept them with a big thanks and try to show them a great time.

Precisely my point, there are plenty of those whom I do not invite any longer. I should have emphasized "invited."
:evilb:

I'm free in a couple of weekends Cig, I'll be on the dock with my lifejacket, a six pack of Bush, and an extra five spot for the attendant. Pretty much good to go.



:lolhit:

Reminds me of a certain someone....
:evilb: :D
----------------

You, Steve, would most certainly be welcome with us.

:drink:

I classify them as "A" list and "B" list. Everybody starts out on "A" list but some get bumped down to "B" list status. I usually run a light crew anyway and its usually just me and maybe a chick of the week, most of my "A" list friends are boaters anyway and have their own rides. "B" listers rarely, if ever, get invited back out. I will say this though my "B" list isnt very long and it takes alot to get on it. Usually lack of respect of my stuff or other friends . . . . . or if ya step on my seats with street shoes :D . . . .

Ditto

this thread has received a lot more attention than i expected...thanks.

In my group, we all have our own boats, and usually run Solo(or with our signifigant others)to the sandbar, but someones boat is always broken, so that person gets a free ride, since sooner or later I know mine will be broken, and I know I will be the one riding:lolhit:

On rare occasions when all of the boats are running, we usually take turns picking up the tab at the bar, and bring our own coolers. I have given rides to members from here, and other forums while they are down visiting South Fl, and expect nothing but a thanks, but usually they buy Lunch(not necessary), I had one member have his wife hide $$ in my truck while we were loading the boat at the ramp, totally unneccesary, in fact it covered 2 weekends worth of gas in my little weedwacker motor:angry-smiley-038:

It wasnt me was it?? . . . . Is that why i havnt been on your boat since Jammin on the James? . . . . . I would have chipped in more . . . . or at all . . . . if you would have at least had my brand of Vodka on board. :drink::drink:






I remember you telling me the story about that guy. Definitely a "B" lister . . . . . or maybe C D or E. . . . . Some people never get it.