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 .

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 :D

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.

:party-smiley-004:
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

Man, that would be great for the times when I want to go out with just the wife and kid.

Always Tip. Only acceptation would be crappy service. And by Crappy, I don't mean waiting a long time for the boats ahead of you. I mean bad attitude, etc. I see lots of guys at the Docks get pissed and not tip because it takes to long to get fuel, but the 48 MTI that coasted in empty ahead of him is gonna take a bit to fill. Chill out! Whats the hurry! Love life.. :)

Yup,

I never hesitate to head to the ramp alone.

Lets see you pull up to the gas dock, get 100 gallons of fuel maybe some ice and beer. So your bill is $500 or so whats an extra $5-20 for the people who helped you out. Especially if they are nice kidz which I find most of them are. Stayed at Lake McConahay (sp?) in NE and kept the boat at a place where they would let your park your boat and trailer in a field up away from the lake and then they would launch your boat with a tractor. Much easier for a big boat than using the nearby ramp. Tipped them every launch and retrieve, they also let me GF ride on the tractor which paid off for me big time.

At LOTO, I usually tip 2 or 3 bucks for tie up help at a restaurant or bar. I usually just tip when I get there, not when I leave. We typically only put in a couple of hundred at a time worth of fuel, and I usually tip the dock attendant 5 bucks. At LOTO, I do not ever recalling not tipping due to attitude, as I guess that I have not really seen a bad one at the docks.

I put this same question on a smaller boating forum about 5 years ago and most said not to tip. I always felt bad when I didn't tip though. My boat is 22' and holds 55 gallons and is not difficult to dock. So is 5 bucks good for the gas attendant and dock worker each?

I tip every place. Gas dock, yacht club, restaurant, etc. when I pull up those kids bend over backwards to help. It's a nice feeling especially with my wife and daughter on board.

Delray VFW looking dude?

I started my first job working on a gas dock in 2003. Throughout high school and college, that was my only income. From April-October I pumped gas all day, five days a week for 8 years. I have seen just about everything on the gas dock. Boats blowing up, people crashing their boats, drunks getting arrested, etc...

When it comes to tipping, it depends on what service the customer needs...

If they come in for dinner/shopping/drinking and are only there to dock, I always help them tie up.
Most people tip around $5 when I help them tie up. As they are leaving and I help to untie them, they do not tip any more. Other people tip $2-3 on the way in if I help, and then $2-3 on the way out if I help. Sometimes it's $5 both ways. Or $20... it just depends on the person.

If a customer comes in for fuel, I always help them tie up. Where I worked at LOTO, the customer was not allowed to pump their own fuel when a dock attendant was available.
A fuel sale of $50-100 (pontoon, sea-doo, runnabout) would usually tip $5-10.
$100-500 would usually be a $20.
$500+ would be anywhere from $20+ but usually no more than $100.

If a guest came in for a pump-out they would usually tip an extra $20.

Tipping for sure. Although...my local fuel dock is the owner/operator type operation. How do you deal with that? I realized I have never tipped him even though he helps tie up, he brings the nozzle over but you pump. I really love the concept of tipping hired help but owners?...

5 bucks for fuel on the water, but I rarely get that anymore. And 20 when I go to Atlantic City, they always find me a spot and I never even touch the ropes.

Yes, I tip the dock attendants.

Fueling up the boat (120 gallon tank) = $20-30 depending on how much fuel I get.
Helping me dock/tie up = $5 normally and $10 if its real windy out

Always, I like the fact that when I pull in somewhere I'm remembered as a good guy and not a dick with a cigarette. I had shirts with the boat name made and gave them to the gas girls, throughout the summer they always mentioned it and how many comments they got on them. A little kindness goes a long way.

Thats the guy, been there for years. The friend that I most often launch along with is around his age, and also a vet, if Ray is not around when I am there he always asks about him.

Thank you for the guide! Sometimes they hand me the nozzle but most of the time they fill it. I too don't want to be a dick and not tip, just didn't know what the norm was. I usually tip 20% at restaurants, couple bucks to the barber, valet gets a couple bucks, and taxi cabs vary 2-5 (depending on how bad they smell and how far).

BTW, great thread Carl!

tom

We always tip. At least $20-$30 when we fuel and $20 when we tie up at a lunch stop.No matter how busy they are,they will make room for me when we show up. I also keep plenty of bottled water in the cooler,and give them out to all the dock hands.The main dock hand at my marina,A real nice retired man,gets tipped throughout the season,and a hefty envelope at the end of the season. Worth every penny.He calls when the lift looks low,or secures the cover if it gets lose. He knows the routine every time we go out. He is waiting at my slip with 3-4 bags of ice.And most of all,chats with the wife while I'm flushing and cleaning at the end of the day.

Thanks, Tom. I will start carrying some fives when I'm out from now on.

If your not tipping the gas and dock attendants you should sell your boat and buy a kayak. Do you tip the pizza deliverer. Sorry man, just seems like common sense.

10-4 on the kayak. I have tipped the pizza/bass player as well. I have also tipped the gas and dock attendants and pump out peeps, just didn't want to be light on the tip.

I totally agree with tipping $5-10 to dock attendants for helping to tie off the boat depending on the situation, but I think that $20-30 is a little too much to tip the gas attendant for handing you the gas nozzle and turning on the pump. I don't think that these kids expect to make $100.00 an hour pumping gas. I usually hand the kid an extra $5 after I fill-up and he's thrilled... UNLESS of course you're lucky enuf to have someone that looks like Tristan (TriPaC87) wearing a bikini at the gas docks... Then I think there would be NO PROBLEM tipping the gas attendant AT LEAST $20-30! :evilb:

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