Tipping Ettiquette
 

Usually when I gas up on the water all the attendant does is hand me the fuel nozzle and turn on the pump. I do the work and go in and pay. Should I be tipping the attendant? Also, when I tie up in a slip I can easily do it myself with my 22' boat. Often a dock boy runs down and insists on helping. I don't need help and I don't usually tip. Should I? I figure that I'm already paying a dollar extra for the fuel and good money for a transient slip. I do tip if help is needed. What do you guys think?

I'm curious about this too... relatively new to boating

At LOTO, it is usually college-age kids that are manning the gas docks and they work on tips only. So yes, I always tip at the pump. Same at the restaurants and bars. Yes, our crew can handle docking the boat but if the dock kids help us in we always tip them. Small potatoes in the overall costs associated with boating.

I always tip! It means everything to them and they will always make the extra effort.

giving a couple bucks is nothing but they survive on these tips,normaly these kids make minimum wage or less.

Yes Tip.
As stated already most dock help works exclusively on them.
You will notice as the season progresses your tips go a long way if you frequent the same places. There will be days you need an extra hand due to wind, tide or another idiot boater and a well tipped land crew will work hard to help you. I have a dock bar we go to frequently over the summer both by car and boat. I always say hello to the dock master even if we come by car and always tip him when we come by boat. Why? Well, first off he is a nice guy and does a great job around the docks. Secondly, I can call him in the morning and say I am coming and he will reserve me a slip not just for me but as many boats as I say are coming with me!

Ditto

Great info! I always tip as it does go a long ways its not
Break out another thousand! It's
Break
Out
Another
Tip!
And be happy doing it!

Yup,

We have a local guy here that I assume is homeless, but hangs out at the ramp and is actually really good with helping to launch boats, I usually throw him a five each time. Last weekend when the ramp was overcrowded due to Memorial day traffic, he made damn sure I didnt wait too long to get my boat back on the trailer as others were fighting to get in(only a 2 lane ramp ramp with single dock). I am sure if I had stiffed him in the past I woulda waited much longer. He recognizes my boat, and other boats that frequently launch with me, helps that he loves performance boats.

Cool thread! I always tip good where ever I thought I should be tipping, but I have never thought of it at the dock, but I will start this weekend!! Don't know why I never thought of it , I guess I was thinking more about not hitting the dock or spilling gas .