Gas money; do you except donations from guests?

yes or no

  • yes

    Votes: 45 29.6%

  • no

    Votes: 107 70.4%
  • Total voters
    152
Where we are, if you total the cost of a trip and split the cost equally, it is considered a fare and thus illegal, absent a CG license, whereas, a donation or gift is not.

I figure the wording in the regs may be just as gray for the young guys in the CG boat as it is for me, so getting a little expense money is not worth the potential hassle to me........I don't ask my guests for anything but their company.
 
I voted no on the gas money. I will however always take food and beer/wine contributions! I also let guests know that if they like something specific they should plan to bring that - kid snacks/drinks, etc.

Funny one Skolbe! I would love to have a picture of that expression!
 
I don't take gas money when my wife and I take out guests, mainly because people don't understand how much it really costs, and if I invited them it's because we want their company. Boating by yourself gets old.

When my buddies and I take our annual trip across lake MI and back, we split the gas money, but that's a little different than taking out guests.

When I go fishing with my buddies the agreement is they pay for tackle and beer, i pay all the rest.
 
A blandish you guys! I love complements from cute girls.
 
While I have never asked for contributions, I have accepted contributions. Whenever money is offered, I politely decline. As has been stated multiple times, I enjoy sharing my boat with those we bring onboard. My family and I love getting out on the water and we want to share that feeling with our friends. I have been forced to take money for gas and have had it "left". AAMOF, the last time we went out, our friends offered to pay for food and gas. I told him that he didn't have to buy anything. After all was said and done, they brought the KFC for the 4 adults and 4 kids and I took nothing for gas. I never expect anything for asking anyone out. Usually, it is a give and take. We go over to their house for drinks and let the kids play together and they provide. That may be all over soon, though, as the admiral and I have gotten them hooked. :thumbsup: They may be getting a boat later this year (but it will probably be next year). Then, we'll just alternate whose boat we go out on. :smt038
 
Asureyez said:
I accept nothing for boat use or for me personally while aboard. On a dock a guest buys me a beer or a sandwich fine, but never anything on board. Any food stuff and beverages brought on by a guest is explicited stated as being for their own use and I accept nothing.
Click to expand...

I'm with you. To me it takes the fun out of it. As a side note, I've had some guests do some really nice unexprected things on return. One couple made some incredible huge bath towells embroidered with the logo of the boat. Another gave us these really cool star charts.
 
No, I don't accept money for boat gas, but my guests are always nice enough to offer to bring some drinks and to have one of the little ladies rub me down with suntan lotion.

You can't be too careful - especially since I boat naked.
 
NO!
I will do all I can to show off my Sea Ray. To take donations is like accepting cash for what gives me enjoyment, showing off my boat. If my guest have fun on my boat, that's all I need. When planning a trip with friends, sharing the cost is a given. Some friends will help me as I do maintenance and repairs. That's worth more than gas donations any day.
 
Interesting topic,
I don't ask for anything, Its my treat bringing along a guest.

On fishing forums, Bringing another angler on board has a term called a......Boat HO
On them forums lots of pvt boat owners have the boat Ho pay for all fuel, bait, and maybe help clean up the boat.

Ive never had a boat Ho on board, If I did. Maybe let them cover the bait.
 
I compete in a regular fishing comp with the same couple of guys. I will accept money or kind from them on those occaisions though no formal arrangement.

Social boating however is exactly that and it's our shout all the way....though if some nice beverages are smuggled on board then who am I to knock it back?

BTW Skolbe....I'm gonna do that trick on someone...that's lot's of LOL's.
 
My boat, my guest no one pays. My house, my guests no one pays. Yes, they always will bring something like food, wine, beer or a beach toy but it is never required. Matter of fact, we have so much wine on the boat that we tend to give guests a bottle to take home:)

The best boating buddy (family) belongs to a nice country club where whenever he invites me to golf he picks up the tab. Favor returned. We usually golf once a week:) I do bring along a few beers for the walk as well as his favorite golf balls (which he tends to loose in the woods).
 
The only time I have was last summer after hauling the boat to Norris Lake for myself and my family (13 people total) and using it every day for 9 days.. My brothers offered to fill but that was on the 4th tank at $4.50...
other than that, never.
 
I do not accept money for gas, just doesn't feel right. But it is very much appreciated. However, as most of you mentioned, food/brew is another story.

My uncle offered to chip in for gas this weekend. He had a $20 in his hand and almost had a heart attach when i asked the guy if he could give me $200 dollars worth. :)
 
I have accepted money in the past from a few who are familiar with the expenses and graciously offer. I kind of got away from it though, as it just didn't feel right knowing that they'd feel the obligation in the future. We invite friends for their company regardless of whether or not they contribute.

A bottle of wine or appetizer tray is a wonderful gift if somebody else asks you out.

What peeves me are the people who ask for boat rides, finally get invited, then do not reciprocate (like a party invite in the winter of something). Next summer, they're asking about the boat again...
 
Ive always accepted food and beer, but if someone wanted to toss a couple bucks I wouldn't say no - its not like my boat uses a ton of gas though so it would only be $20.
 
If I invite a someone to go out on the boat, then no. However if my friends cook up a "lets go deep sea fishing" trip, then I will tell them "sure, just kick in for the fuel and help wash the boat when were done".

(I should add that most of my friends are former boat owners and are fully aware of the cost of ownership, so I don't feel bad about telling them to pay for fuel, because I always kicked in for fuel when I went out on their boats)
 
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I have not had anyone offer to pay for fuel so I have not been faced with the problem. I have been asked several times how far she will go on a gallon and when I tell them that sort of any further discussion about fuel or its cost. I only invite people on my boat as my guests so no compensation is ever expected, except for "nioce boat" and "thank you"
 
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