Boat Gas??

[chad colunga]

i wanted to get everyones opinion (boat owners/boat riders alike).

and this coming from a boat owner and rider:

-when and how much should one be required to pitch in gas?
-should one pitch in gas for boat as well as truck that pulls boat?
-if one does not wakeboard or surf, should they still pay, if so how much?
-if the trip to the lake is strictly for wakeboarding/riding(meaning nonstop) should nonriders have to pay anything?

anyway, thats about all i can come up with for now. if anyone has something to add, please do. I think this will be helpful to owners and non-owners alike. owners dont know how much to ask for and nonowners dont know how much to offer. ive been in both seats.

I have my own opinions but i wanna hear others before i taint the waters.

[Dewey]

I've owned a boat for a few years now. Owners are always greatful to get anything. It's not just the gas money in the boat and tow rig, but all the little things. Registration, insurance, fix fees, cleaning fees, racks, mirrors, awesome stickers, tires, lights, kicking stereo tunes, wear and tear. It's a lot of crud. A boat is a huge investment. Remember how much you had to pay for the thing.

On my boat no one is really invited if they don't plan on doing anything. (Exceptions can include, but are not limited to; fallen riders (injuries), family, every once in a while the ladies, youngsters for flagging) I don't have the room in the boat for someone to just come and sit. It's all out, all the time. Drop the boat in the drink, ride, next rider, more riders, another session, dry the boat, out. No messing around.

Out of respect for the owner for giving out pulls, a rider should not only help clean up and all the business, but offer some cash. As far as a number goes, that's up in the air. Most owners have a crew they ride with all the time. The dudes that ride with me will offer up their card at the pump every couple of fills, to keep it pretty fair. If you are a person who only gets a few pulls from one boat, or even one. It shouldn't be too much to cough up a 20 bill. Other stuff is also welcome along with the funds, such as; snacks, drinks, new gear, dry suits in the chilly, ect.

-Dewey

[Austin Scott]

I have been on both ends as well, currently without a boat. Form the owners’ point of view anything and everything is welcome. A hard number is hard to come by as far as cash goes. As a general rule I use to go by was about $5 a pull so if you get in the water twice (wakeboard/surf) it would be about $10; of course that was when gas was about $2 so now day it would be about double that. I have found that if you are coming up short have everyone meet you at a gas station and when you drop them off at the end of the day top off the boat and divide it up. That way they can see that it really does cost that much to fill it up, and if you have real friends not just boat whores they will throw you a few bones for the truck and misc stuff. Also, if you don’t pay the chances of you coming back for another pull is not very good.

Form a rider’s point of view I don’t have a problem throwing down a $20 for a good time on the lake with the crew throwing down. If you don’t know how much to pay just ask and they will tell you what they need. And if you want to come back throw in a couple extra just to say thanks. If I’m at the pump with the owner I usually try to divide the amount up excluding the owner and cover his share as well. If you all pitch in for him or her it will only be a few $ per person more and the owner will take notice. Make sure you bring cash and try to bring the right amount owners are not banks to make change for you. One last thing over paying is always better for you in the long run than paying short.

If you haven’t owned a boat wake up and take notice of everything the owner does for you!!

[Ryan Shimabukuro]

Chad, I've been on both sides as well and it was made clear from day one, many years ago, that you covered the cost for your sets to the boat owner. And if the boat needed to be towed to the water, you kick in a little extra as well. Just a few years ago, the courtesy was about $5-8 a set. But with gas prices these days, I've been giving $10 per set, minimum. If someone wants to just sit in the boat and hang out, that's cool, no charge, but it's nice if they can help clean up after the day is done.

With kids, I agree with EM, but if their parents are there and the kids are taking many sets, it's common courtesy that the parents cover the cost for their kids.

Slightly different situation, but if you're going camping and have to travel a ways by boat to your camp site, it's common practice to chip in extra & not just for your sets. Also, in those situations, I give extra to the owner for towing their boat to lake (Starvation, Powell, Mead, etc).

For those who've been on both sides, I think you'll agree that it's much cheaper to chip in for gas for your riding then taking on all the costs with boat ownership. So just please be courteous and really do your part to help the boat owner, because they are already taking on the biggest expense - having the boat!

If a rider stiffs me or gives much less then what's appropriate, I just talk to them calmly and explain the situation. If they cop an attitude, it's easy, they don't get invited again. I haven't had one person not invited back yet. The wakeboard community as a whole is pretty sensitive about this stuff, no matter what state I've ridden in.

Hope that helps Chad. Let's ride!