Gas Etiquette??

[Footin]

Never ask for it....never turn it down

[h2oskiluvr]

Originally Posted by 02ProstarSammyD

Most of my friends make sure we have over the gas bill per trip to cover part of the expense too. My friends that ride regularly realize a 350 dollar payment x12 months+gas+insurance+boards all adds up. Must be us being young/poor. I don't make enough to fit everyones gas bill nor would I ever intend to

I go mainly with people who have their own boat. They understand the total cost.

When we go with new people we have this thing we do but we never talked about it. The non-driver boat owners usually clue the uninitiated in on the "deal" as to not put the driver on the spot. For example, they may say, "$20 will cover me, right?" or something like that. They know that's the price but that way it gets out there and the driver didn't have to have say something.

What's strange is we never discussed it. We just started doing this.

[Scottman]

Originally Posted by mzimme

I don't charge girls. The guys I bring on my boat I have no problem with asking for money... but I've known them all for a while and it's nothing new. Of course, filling my 20 gallon tank isn't going to put me under for the month, but I'm generally "paid" in things like people buying my dinners, beer, ice, soda, water, random snacks, etc.

I'd have an entirely different mindset if I was dumping 45 gallons of fuel into the thing twice a weekend, however.

Same here. Love the small tank as well.


Nothing bothers me more than people that complain about doing a small favor like "grab that rope and throw it to me" or toss stuff around without being careful not to scratch things or put holes in the seats Those are the ones that never get invited back.

[skps190]

We keep 2 6 gallon cans in the dock box and typically when all the family is up everyone takes a turn and runs to the station to get gas every morning, its right down the road and usually at least $1-1.50/gallon cheaper than the marina. With a 60 gallon tank that adds up quick. By adding 12 gallons or so a day we're never at the point of being afraid we're not going to make it back to the dock. My father-in-law has a 34ft powerboat w/ twin 502s and a 200 gallon tank to boot, there has been some great facial expressions when we pull up to the marina and ask not for $100 worth of fuel but 100 gallons.

[Barefooter92]

After your done skiing for the day make sure they all take the trip with you to the marina to top off. They will see the $$$ on the pump and that should shame them into it.

[vandit0022]

Originally Posted by BMcD

Great question,

Before the price of gas jumped above $5/gallon on the lake, I too took the position that I would be out riding regardless of the headcount, so gas is just part of the joy of ownership.

However, I noticed after a single visit to the gas dock, one hot summer day, with a boat full of people, that watching the dials spin on the pump, breaking $100, then $200, then $300, then $400, riders wallets started to loosen. I never asked for money, but every trip out since has had people offering up cash. I guess filling up the 90 gallon tank in the X45 was an eye-opener for many... including the gas dock guys that thought there must be a hole in the tank.

Deep in my heart though I will always feel that if you have to worry about the gas, boating is going to be a challenging recreation.

BMcD

Day1 Wakesurfers

Agreed....I think here in the northwest, so many people boat in the summers.....it's just the norm to offer gas money. I have rarely had to ask, people usually slip me cash, or pay for food, bevs or dinner if we are out that late. Also I have a good crew who helps wash the boat every time it gets used.


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[Thrall]

Originally Posted by Barefooter92

After your done skiing for the day make sure they all take the trip with you to the marina to top off. They will see the $$$ on the pump and that should shame them into it.

That usually works well.........except for one buddy and his family. We're lifelong friends, but he just cant get out of being cheap about everything. They never have and don't plan to buy a boat, yet LOVE to get out with the rest of us that do have boats at any opportunity.
Last year at our annual trip to the Ozarks. 4 families, 2 boats (since we live too far away to bring ours now), I was extra conscious to buying fuel for the boats I was enjoying all week.
Friend and his family, 4 of them skiing, boarding, surfing all day with the rest of us, never bought a drop of gas....all week! Thought since he brought one more dinner for the group than the rest of us he was covered.
Well, half cooked drum sticks by a drunk guy don't count for much boat gas when we were blowing through $2-300/day between 2 boats.
Tough decision, but they didn't get invited this year for the first time in 0ver 5 years.
Too bad because I'd like to see them all but it's tough to drop almost a grand in gas for the week and watch the boat mooches ride for free! They are not strapped for money either.
Day trips, don't really expect gas money out of friends, but they're typically generous enough to help out at the pump or buy beer or dinner or something.

[mzimme]

^^ Did anyone ever express the idea of chipping in to these people?

[LittleFuss]

I agree with Sodar, My friends will occassionally bring some drinks for us. Afterall they dont ask me for gas money when I go fishing with them in their boat.

[Thrall]

Originally Posted by mzimme

^^ Did anyone ever express the idea of chipping in to these people?

It's been suggested.
These are the kind of people that, while great friends, it took them several years to even automatically take their shoes off before boarding!
I think they feel that since we can afford nice boats we can afford the gas, which is true, just not kosher.