Marina Etiquette Tips

sfergson727 said:
Like the others here, I will tip the dock attendant if they do something to earn it. If I am lacking change, as I usually pay with credit card, I will at least offer them a soft drink. When I do have cash, it's usually $5 for fuel, $5 to $10 for pumpout depending on how good they rinse. If all they do is hand me the hoses, and I do the work, no tip for you. (ok, maybe a dollar or two, but that's it!)

Mechanics: Mechanics don't want money, if they did have money, they would just spend it on beer. So I take a short cut. When they go above and beyond, I usually find out through conversation what kind of beer they like, and when they are done, I suprise them with a case of their favorite.

Waitresses: Since food prices have jumped drastically, while my paycheck has not, I find myself tipping $2 per person or 10%, which ever is greater. No more 15% tips from this cheapskate until I either am making more, or the price of food drops.
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So what are you implying ? boat mechanics are beer guzzling drunks ? lol
 
I was in a marina this summer getting fuel (180 Gallons). I tied the boat up, I had to find the attendant to turn the pump on, and I pumped the fuel while checking the gauges for level. I even coiled up the fuel hose and shut down the pump AND I had to walk up to the office to pay for my fuel. The attendant comes down and watches me start to depart one line at a time and sticks his hand out before I untie my last line while giving me a puzzled look as to why I didn't tip....

If he would have literally done ANYTHING I would have tipped him but he did nothing but text on his cell phone the whole time and then gave me a dirty look for not tipping and muttering something under his breath while walking away (still texting).

In my opinion THIS is what makes me not want to tip, if I am getting a service for something I have no problem for tipping when somebody goes the extra mile. Michigan City fuel dock has some good guys there and I always leave them with 5-10 bucks in their pockets.
 
At my marina, I tip the Wiggins driver...$50 at the biginning of the season and $50 at the end. I get great service and after all its my boat they are carrying. They see my pretty face drive up and before I can get my gear out of the car they are dropping it in the water. They have even broke the rules for me on occasion, so I'd say it pays.
Here is a photo of it being put away for the winter.

Wiggins.jpg
 
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Sea Ray 215 said:
At my marina, I tip the Wiggins driver...$50 at the biginning of the season and $50 at the end. I get great service and after all its my boat they are carrying. They see my pretty face drive up and before I can get my gear out of the car they are dropping it in the water. They have even broke the rules for me on occasion, so I'd say it pays.
Here is a photo of it being put away for the winter.

View attachment 22763
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That is a good idea. I will give the guy 10.00 when I return from a day on the water. Boat gets a good wash and flush. They also put the cover on befor they put it up.
 
Sea Ray 215 said:
At my marina, I tip the Wiggins driver...$50 at the biginning of the season and $50 at the end. I get great service and after all its my boat they are carrying. They see my pretty face drive up and before I can get my gear out of the car they are dropping it in the water. They have even broke the rules for me on occasion, so I'd say it pays.
Here is a photo of it being put away for the winter.

View attachment 22763
Click to expand...

That is a good idea. I will give the guy 10.00 when I return from a day on the water. Boat gets a good wash and flush. They also put the cover on befor they put it up.
 
Interesting post.

The dock hands at my marina are awesome. If they see you coming in to your slip, they help. If you are coming to the fuel dock, they tie you up, fill you up, pump out at request....they do all the work. I always tip 5.00 and I always get treated like I'm one of the owners there.
 
You guys are so spoiled. We don't have any dock hands, we don't have anybody at the fuel pump to help or to help pump out. It's all self-serve out here.
 
I prefer self serve!
 
Ok, I have a what if question to throw into the mix. At Jamestown the mariena is owned and operated by James City County. Would you tip the county employee, even after paying taxes on your boat? A tax that's meant to pay their pay?
 
dwna1a said:
Ok, I have a what if question to throw into the mix. At Jamestown the marina is owned and operated by James City County. Would you tip the county employee, even after paying taxes on your boat? A tax that's meant to pay their pay?
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Not trying to be argumentative here, but what difference does it make who the person that just helped you works for? :huh:
 
I don't think it matters who they work for. If the service was good, you tip. When I go to the fuel dock at my marina, I do my own pumpout (I prefer to do it) and, of course, I pump my own gas. The kid gives me a shove off when I leave. I still give him a few bucks, for basically doing nothing. Live and let live.
 
When I had my jet boat it was in a high and dry. Everytime I used it I left 20$ on attached to the flush hose. Everytime I returned it was spotless no matter what the condition I left it.(pretty dirty sandy)20 bucks is def worth it. The fuel Dock I use ties me up fills me up and gives me cookies everytime not to mention the dock master is a beautiful girl just about my age so ofcoarse I tip her well..
 
You are all so spoiled. Not only do we have to do everything ourselves, the marina does nothing to maintain the docks. We do all our own maintenance and repairs and there is never anyone available to pump out for you, ever. So I guess you could say, tipping is a non-issue for us.
 
I have to reply to this thread even tho it's over a year dormant.......no issues here tipping at my home Marina and gas dock....it's "manned" by 20-30 year old bikinied girls....money FLIES out of our boaters pockets.

secondly......if your not tipping at least 20% to waitresses and servers who do a decent job while owning and maintaining a boat of ANY size you should be ashamed of yourself.


:huh:
 
Dwna1a
Dude I'm down the James River at Leeward Marina "owned and operated by the city of Newport News. They can not/will not take tips. There is laws against city employs taking tips. And I think there probably are laws against offering them. Funny thing is I think they deserve them.
 
Do Over said:
I have to reply to this thread even tho it's over a year dormant.......no issues here tipping at my home Marina and gas dock....it's "manned" by 20-30 year old bikinied girls....money FLIES out of our boaters pockets.

secondly......if your not tipping at least 20% to waitresses and servers who do a decent job while owning and maintaining a boat of ANY size you should be ashamed of yourself.


:huh:
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The key is in how you define a 'decent job'.
 
Woody said:
The key is in how you define a 'decent job'.
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acknowledge me quickly....get me a beer....get me another beer.....get my food to me hot....get me a another beer...get me outa there when I'm ready. Pretty simple stuff....these are places I frequent a lot on the lake....I don't want the reputation of being a cheap bastid....they ARE in control of my drinks AND food...if ya get my drift. :grin:
 
I hope it's okay to reply to an old thread, but I am really glad the subject of tipping came up. We're new boaters still and are not sure the proper way to do things. We rent a slip on a lake. On our last trip out before winter, we pulled around to get gas for the very first time. The pumping area was cramped and we sucked at trying to pull our 31' cruiser into the right spot. The gas kid was very patient, and fortunately we didn't bump into anyone. After the gas, I asked him to pump out. There wasn't anything solid except for a bit of paper, but the season was ending and I didn't want anything in the holding tank for the winter. They guy didn't blink or cringe and even offered to rinse the tank. The gas cost around $300 and the pumpout was free. I didn't know if I was supposed to tip, so I asked the guy "Can I tip you?" He shrugged and said, "If you want." I gave him $20. I never knew if that was a good amount or if tipping was normal. The new season is coming up, so thank you all for bringing this up. Now I know.
 
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