Tipping

R

ronjon

Member
Jan 19, 2013
38
Chesapeake, VA
Boat Info
2001 Sundeck 240
Lowrance Chart Plotter/Fish Finder
Engines
5.7L Merc w/ Bravo III
So, I'm new to the dry storage marina, do you guys tip the staff when they launch your boat? My initial feeling is no if it is just a launch but when gassing up or pumping out then yes. Thoughts please.


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I occasionally dry store my Regulator in Florida. Always over the summer months especially. Fork lift driver always gets at a 5 spot on launch then again on haul out. Probably equates to the fact that I never wait on either end.....


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We tip for everything. These seasonal workers up here well appreciate it and we find that a little goes a long way when you need something that they can help you out with. The grouches and cheapskates go to the end of the line around here. Like it or not, a little here and there paves the way for great frienships with the staff. You tip the waiting staff in restaurants to show your appreciation for how they made your dining experience enjoyable, so why not do the same at your marina?? :huh:
 
I'm in dry storage. Some people tip, some don't. At our marina the lift operators are full time, the dock hands are mostly college kids. I typically tip the dock hand that helps me in, get tied up etc - he is usually the person that is managing boats coming in and getting them moved around and on the lift - he usually gets $5. I have noticed a lot of times the dock hands will wave me over to the lift area when I am coming in - I think they know I don't like my boat sitting, waiting for the lift after I leave and that a $5 is coming for about 3min work. Plus, I am inside a building on the bottom, so lot's of times I let them put it away, then I go in and unload, cover etc. When getting fuel, again they are very helpful and efficient, if I want the boat fueled, I can ask for it to be launched and fueled and it's waiting for me when I arrive. Usually $5-$10 for fuel, depending what they did.

It's a small operation, I know all of the staff - I little small talk, an hello, thank you and a couple of $$ goes a long way I think.

The boat is usually in the water waiting for me when I arrive, so I don't tip when heading out, just coming in. For me it's awkward to find the lift operator and hand $$ up to him, plus they are my age, just seems awkward tipping them. So, for them I put $$ in an envelope every month with a thank you and hand it to them.

Watching those guys on a busy weekend day - it's not what most would think, it's hot, the lift never stops running and the dock hands hustle, constantly moving boats around. I think they launch 40-50 boats on a busy weekend day.
 
Years ago I had a boat in a boatel-type marina. It was a family-owned marina with a lot of college age guys helping and a couple of full-time forklift drivers. The service was really good. To make it easier I just gave a $150 tip at the end of the season to the marina manager, asking him to divide it up amongst the fellas.
 
Not dry stored but I always tip the travel lift operator and thé guy that washes my bottom. They are always friendly and willing to helpe when I need a favor or something done on a short notice. There is a lot riding on the guy handling my boat so a few bucks helps but some extra care IMO.
 
I'm not in dry storage but on haul out at the end of the season, and launch, I always bring breakfast or lunch for the guys. They still come up to me and comment on the Tim Hortons I brought them this spring!
 
We don't have dry storage but tip the gas dock attendants when they pump the holding tank/gas. Usually $5 per what they're doing so if I do both, they get $10. As far as haul-out the person whom I store with is the owner and does it all himself and he charges a premium for storage so I don't tip him. He gets enough of my business though, so don't feel bad.
 
hakunamatata said:
We don't have dry storage but tip the gas dock attendants when they pump the holding tank/gas. Usually $5 per what they're doing so if I do both, they get $10.
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Pretty much the same here as long as they dont put the gas in to my holding tank :wow:. (Yes, it happened.)
When we make the journey in the spring from the storage facility to the dock, I always buy a couple dozen donuts for the storage facility guys and the hauler.
At the end of season for haul out, more donuts for the guys that pull her out.
 
Typically we tip 10 for pumpout or fuel up, it is mostly dependent on what denominations i have in my pocket. The service is always the same though, all they do is hand over a nozzel......owner / operators end up doing all the work.
 
I tip 10 to the kid for pump out, and 100 to the two guys that do my annual wax. Maybe I'm a mizer, but I don't tip for gas.
 
Fly'n Family said:
I tip 10 to the kid for pump out, and 100 to the two guys that do my annual wax. Maybe I'm a mizer, but I don't tip for gas.
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As the one guy stated above, if all they are doing is handing you the nozzle, I can buy that.
 
I tip the fuel dock, pump out, and restaurant dock hands. The marina owner forklifts my boat. I tip him big once a year.
 
I would never tip someone if all they did was hand me the gas hose!! I think that sends the wrong message to them. Do some actual work and you will get a tip every time. Tip them for doing nothing and you end up with a kid that expects the world owes them a living. :smt021
 
I'm tipping the dock hands that help when returning or pumping out. They gas me up on the forklift prior to launching so I don't usually see him fill it up.

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