Charging Guest For Gas Money

[gss036]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

I think most the posts here apply to small lake fishing,etc, if you were out doing saltwater fishing, it is not unusual to burn 25-30+ gallons of gas and my friends realize that and offer to help whether you want money or not. I also help them when I am on their boat. I know the guys on the east coast that fish the canyons etc, will go through 75-100 gallons on a trip. I guess one should keep that in mind when going a friend or relative's boat. Just my thoughts for what it is worth.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

A friend of mine has a 44' Carver down in Houston. He told that he was not allowed to accept any gas money. He said the authorities were stopping boats for inspection and if any of the passengers admitted to paying gas money that he could be cited for an "unlicensed charter".

I just let him have my wife for the night and we called it even.

With that comment you must show Picture of Wife.

Thanks everyone for their replies.

Most of the Moochers are my Family that I haven't even Invited. Sometime it stinks to have the only boat in the family. My toy, Now go buy your own!

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

With that comment you must show Picture of Wife.

Thanks everyone for their replies.

Most of the Moochers are my Family that I haven't even Invited. Sometime it stinks to have the only boat in the family. My toy, Now go buy your own!

She's a hotty. He would have to sign over the entire boat.

I did turn down an offer from my BIL to buy the gas at the lake, once.
As the pump screamed past $150, I caught the look on his face.
I was pretty sure he had no idea what he was offering.

He bought me a beer later.

 

[seaboo]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

I have a close group(s) of friends I go boating with. I make sure the first trip or 2 we go out on I hit the pump, when they ask if they can pay something- I say next time just bring food, drinks, ect.. They always agree and normally say they want to buy me a tank of fuel sometime (this so far has averaged out to about every 3'rd trip). This way I get some good eats, good times, and once a month a free fuel bill.

Even if they didn't offer (that actually hasn't happened...I have a pretty tight group of friends), The way I view it is I was going out anyway. I wouldn't have invited them if I didn't enjoy their company. I've had a driver for at least a couple pulls on whatever we are doing (skiing, tubing, boarding).

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

Interesting to see the parallels between this and aviation. It's a topic that's near and dear to owners of private aircraft as they can incur some pretty steep costs themselves keeping the noisy end in business.

Used to be, anything deemed as compensation or a thing of value exchanging hands was a no-no unless you and your airplane were fully registered commercial endevours with the full host of associated regulatory support systems in place. Even a generous buddy letting you fly for a couple of hours so you could log the time in your book has been considered receiving a thing of value in some cases. That's how anal the airplane regulatory business can be in comparison.

Things have changed in the last fifteen years or so (at least in Canada) in that you can now accept money to defray the costs of that particular flight - gas, oil, landing fees, rental fees - but no maintenance, insurance, hangarage or other ownership related costs. AND as long as any passenger on board was incidental to the trip. As in - you were going anyway and not accepting a donation to drop the BIL at a fishing camp.

To get back to the topic at hand (my apologies for the diversion) - I never ask friends for gas money but have also never failed to find a few bills tucked into the glove box after a weekend of entertaining the gang at the lake - especially if there were some heavy tubing sessions or extended tours of the lake involved.

As for family - parents never pay is the rule. Siblings of course, never qualify for such consideration - "Ya run it - ya fill it!"

We have been known to scam each other by filling the boat, knowing just how much we can run it before the fuel gauge begins to drop then tying up and leaving it for the next person. Suckerrrrrrrr!

 

[badkins50]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

This is great, I was at the local marina the other day picking up my new rebuilt carb and while I was waiting of course I was looking around. I notice the signs. The best one said "this boat runs on gas, not thanks". Great sign, however I don't not charge for rides on my boat. If they chip in, fine, if not, fine. It's all good, anytime out on the boat is fine with me.

 

[OnTheWaterNow]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

About four years ago a guy I play softball with bought a new ranger bass boat.Asked me if I wanted to go fish a friendly tournament with him.Him and I on his boat vs like 3 other two man teams just for fun.we stoped at the gas station. I said want some money for gas. He said yeah we will split it and you can pick up some drinks and snacks. so I did. He comes in and goes to pay for gas he put 82.00 bucks in it. So I gave him my share.

Get to the lake electric motors only.He says sorry forgot about that.no refund offered.The day as a guest on his boat cost me $41.00 for gas $12.00 for food drinks and an out of state fishing license for the day. not sure of the cost of that. now I have my own boat. I always remember how I felt that day as a guest on his boat. and when people ask me If I want money for gas I say no man your a guest lets go have some fun.I apreciate the offer its the polite thing to do.I also think its polite to decline the offer and be thankfulf you are lucky enough to be a boat owner who can go out on a boat anytime you wish. not everyone who wants to can.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

I do not ask invited guest for $- my boat has a 95gal tank and get about 1MPGand gas at the marina is $4. (or +$1 above gas station) but they always seem to buy dinner & drinks.- we run 20miles + round trip to the sand bar & restaurant. Some ask what kind of beverages I like. It all works out? not really but I'm ok with it( slip+ maint+ ins+?+?++)
I figure I'm going anyway any the perks are nice.

 

[CAVU V]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

I have always looked at it this way, if I can't afford the gas then I should not have a boat.

 

[Jacket4life]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

Never ask for money if I invited them. We have a family place at a lake here in Tx, and that is a different story. There, it is understood that if you are going to town, you are expected to fill up one or two of the 5 gallon cans. Never been a problem. We haul about 15-20 kids around in four boats just about all day long. There are also 2 jet skis. When maintenance time comes, the men all turn up and do their share. IT is an awesome thing. At night, the men folk head out and fish/tell tall tales/ get away from the women and children! Like I said, never a problem.

Flip side: first time is on me for guests, no question. But if you get the "fever" and your kids want to tube all day for weeks after that... then we gotta talk!

Our three kids have brought dozens of guests over the years, and EVERY one of their parents have sent along "boat money". Now, maybe that's just b/c in this area of TX, there are LOTS of lakes and LOTS of boats, and everyone just knows...IDK.

I know I was raised on a lake, and if you went, my parents expected me (or them on my behalf) to chip in for gas. As most of you have said, gas is not all there is to a boat, chipping in a little is a spit in the ocean to the total cost of boat ownership.

 

[1badhusky]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

I consider myself lucky to be able to afford a boat and gas and provide my friends w/ a great day on the water. Many of them don't make much cash due to one reason or another, so I don't ask and wouldn't take it if offered.

A couple of my friends do make decent cash and I appreciate it when they offer and take them up on it if they do.

That said, everyone knows they should come w/ beer for the capt'n!

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

my $.02
It alll depends on who is offering!
If I know they can afford it why not?
If I know they can't I won't!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

I've done it once, and I won't do it again. Will never take a friend whom I don't won't to pay to the gas bar. I've done it once and later I realized that it could look like I wanted him to pay for the gas. We actually went into the arguments over who'll pick the bill, and I absolutely didn't want him to do it.
So next time if I don't want somebody to pay the bill, I won't take him to the pump. I'll make sure that I fill it up the night before.

I had the same situation and since that time I just tell the guests up front that I need to stop at the gas dock and they ain't payin'. It isn't convenient for me to buy the gas before anyone boards.

I do expect guests to do SOMETHING- bring food, bring drinks, help load/unload/clean up the boat when they leave. Those that show up carrying only sunscreen and plop right down on the lounge seat, don't get invited back. Hasn't happened yet, tho.

My .02

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

If your friends go out on your boat and don't offer to pay for something you need new friends.

yes!!!!! absolutely

The trick here is to stop on the gas station to fill up the tank on the way to the ramp. If there is NO OFFERS to help with gas $$$$ you would be sure this is the last time in my boat for the "guest"....

 

[Nightfisher-]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

I hardly ever ask for anyone to chip in on gas unless I'm broke. 90% of the time I just tell em bring whatever you want to eat and drink, grab a bag of ice on your way and bring enough for the ramp fee. ($6) If we buy eels usually the guests pick up the tab for them as well, but a lot of times I just net some baitfish. We had the gas discussion on the way home from fishing last night. I told them "Next time you guys can throw in if you want." because we came in on fumes last night. lol.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

I've gone one step farther than the gas thing a time or two. I've had the "friends" stay around to help clean up the boat after using it.

I've stopped at the station, and bought gas prior to hitting the ramp. When you buy gas at the station prior to using, and then stop and fill it up on the way home, the cost is evident.

Don't get me wrong, if I invite someone, IT IS ON ME !!! But, I also think that there are "SOME PEOPLE", no I KNOW there are people that just want a free ride.

THAT is why the sign in my boat.

"THIS BOAT RUNS ON GAS NOT THANKS"

 

[madurodave]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

heck no. And if they offer, I decline. Thats just how I roll.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

Interesting to see the parallels between this and aviation. It's a topic that's near and dear to owners of private aircraft as they can incur some pretty steep costs themselves keeping the noisy end in business.

Used to be, anything deemed as compensation or a thing of value exchanging hands was a no-no unless you and your airplane were fully registered commercial endevours with the full host of associated regulatory support systems in place. Even a generous buddy letting you fly for a couple of hours so you could log the time in your book has been considered receiving a thing of value in some cases. That's how anal the airplane regulatory business can be in comparison.

Things have changed in the last fifteen years or so (at least in Canada) in that you can now accept money to defray the costs of that particular flight - gas, oil, landing fees, rental fees - but no maintenance, insurance, hangarage or other ownership related costs. AND as long as any passenger on board was incidental to the trip. As in - you were going anyway and not accepting a donation to drop the BIL at a fishing camp.

I'm a Private Pilot and flying is a heck of alot more money than Boating.

And Let not discuss the FAA Regs. They will make your Head Spin.

Back on topic.

 

[BugsBunnyBoater]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

Some people do all they can to get FREE ride I have a friend with a boat that loves to go out in my boat with me beacise he knows that I never ask for help with gas. Even though I do not ask for help for gas its always nice to b offered.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Charging Guest For Gas Money

Thanks for the interesting Replies.

So I invite first time Guest and I will not ask for Gas Money. After that they invite themselves I'm expecting them to chip in.
Family I invited or invited themselves I will not ask for Gas Money but it would be nice to be offered. Food and Drinks can be offered as well.

So the bottom line is I bought the boat for Myself, Wife and Kids enjoyment. I'm building family memories that will last a life time. I do not plan on inviting many people. This may sound selfish :redface: