I think its all about effort and attitude. If i pull up and its is a really easy slip with the fuel fill at easy access theres really not much a deck hand can do BUT if the effort and attitude is there its at least worth a fiver and that goes up with how ever difficult the tie up is and if they step up to other things like getting ice etc. Pumping out the head is another five minimum (that sucks). If i pull up and the dock kid sits in the booth on his Iphone or otherwise seems to be bothered by my being there . . . well guess what . . . notta. I am a big believer in tipping but also what it represents and it is never simply implied. I guess i start with the number five as i pull up and add or subtract as necessary.


oh and a hot chick dock hand needs to do nothing . . . thats at least a twenty though . . . . maybe a buck at a time if your lucky

Great thread. Is there a percentage you guys go by or just whatever you feel like? I've always tipped at the docks usually around 5-10 depending on how long we are staying, if they have to move it around while I'm out so someone can leave I wanna make sure it's taken care of while I'm gone.

Never tipped at the pump, I always get my gas on the road

I am going to Boone this summer for the run, will definitely need to gas up at the docks there. Same question is there a percentage or just a flat rate?

When I was a teenager I worked a gas dock with a friend. We relied on those tips and worked hard for those tips...we hustled because we only made $.003-.005 commission per gallon sold..

Over 13 years later, I still work for the man who tipped me the best... On occasion I would drive his boat over from his slip and fill it full of fuel because he had customers coming down to the marina for an outing.

Sometimes it seems that everyone has their hand out. Still, I tip every time. You do get better service, especially if you're a regular.

Like others have said, I always tip, but usually not because the service is spectacular or anything like that, but for the fact that when that oh shiz moment happens and you need someone there, they remember you, and will usually help you out in a bind. The gas dock guys know at my marina that if I call him and say I am running late and I am gonna show up 10 minutes after the pumps close, he will wait because he always gets tipped. They also get tipped for pumping out the heads, but damn, I really don't want to do that. They really earn that money.

I always tip at the Marina. Those guys and gals are great and very helpful. They normally deal with rude drunks all weekend so I throw them a $20 when I leave cause I know the others wont. They always run to my boat, know me by name and we always chat for 5-10 minutes. It really goes a long way.

Always,whether you need the help or not because if you don't tip today and need the help tomorrow it might not be there. All the tips in a yr won't add up to one scratch repair let alone the frustration. And they really do appreciate it.

What is a normal tip? If I am on the 60 carver I work on, I usually throw $10 to pump out the head, and then if they fuel up $20-30 on top. But in our marina they do not let you fill it up yourself, so they sit and pump it, sometimes 30 minutes to an hour. Is there a standard?

I think everyone is saying the same... You don't have to tip, but if you do, they will often bend over backwards to help you. If you frequent a place, it's nice to have people who know your face if not your name, and are looking out for you. Like I think Glassdave said, start w/ a fiver and go up/down based on service.

Wow, guess I ' ll have to start carrying a bunch of 5's and not lose them at the... er gentlemens clubs.

Wannabe