Marina Etiquette

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Sailm8

Sailm8

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Feb 21, 2008
1,751
Hunter 29.5 Punta Gorda
We all know that sailors have a reputation of sometimes being a little, shall we say frugal, (cheap). When we enter a marina on the few times we do, do you tip all the dock hand(s), the head guy of those who helped tie up, or just thank them and forget it And how much?

I'll go first. I tip the head guy $5.00 and assume they have some way of splitting tips. Your turn………
 
Head Sail

Head Sail

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Nov 13, 2013
723
Catalina 34 Tacoma
We sailors for the most part have to be "frugal" when take into consideration the price of anything labled for marine use. The marinas I've used run about $50 per night high season. You ether drop your fee in a box or walk to the front desk and pay. No one around to tip. The only exception would be the pump out guy. I'd give him at least a 5 spot.
 
sfgary

sfgary

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Sep 25, 2008
123
Challenger sloop Alameda
Here in the bay area there are no dock hands. You better know how to dock and tie up by your self. When we have chartered in the San Juan's there are usually students working for the summer and we always tipped each one $5.00.
 
weinie

weinie

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Sep 6, 2010
1,297
Jeanneau 349 port washington, ny
It's not tipping I believe in...it's overtipping!
 
Charlie Jones s/v Tehani

Charlie Jones s/v Tehani

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Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
In almost three years, and some 7500 miles on the coast, I think I had a "dock guy" twice..

Oh, and once in the Bahamas.

I mostly tied the boat up by myself.

And virtually EVERY pump out, the guy just handed me the hose, and I pumped, except in Marathon, where the pumpout boat comes out, whether you are there or not, and in Ft Myers Beach, where they do the same. Usually didn't even see them.

Sailm8- are you in Laishley marina? If so say Hi to Rusty. Nice guy
 
C

Captn TJ

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Nov 24, 2012
586
Sailm8 said:
We all know that sailors have a reputation of sometimes being a little, shall we say frugal, (cheap). When we enter a marina on the few times we do, do you tip all the dock hand(s), the head guy of those who helped tie up, or just thank them and forget it And how much? I'll go first. I tip the head guy $5.00 and assume they have some way of splitting tips. Your turn………
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We have dock (young guys and gals) hands at our club. Generally tip 5.per person. In addition to helping tie up the boat they'll hook up electrical and dockside water. They'll also ask if you have garbage you'd like them to take care of. For pump out generally $10. but it's generally one person.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
justsomeguy said:
Unless they're teetotalers, beer should suffice.
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just give them cash and let them spend it on beer if they choose.... not all of them may drink beer.....and on top of that a six pack of beer cost more than five dollars if you drink good beer .......

regards

woody
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
I only have good beer aboard, but you're likely right. Cash is king.

In Mexico, you tip everyone who does a little something for you, even if it's their job.
 
heritage

heritage

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Apr 22, 2011
974
Hunter 27 Pecan Grove, Oriental, NC
Don't the minimum wage laws apply to marina personnel? Tipping waiters at a restaurant makes sense because hourly pay is below the minimum wage scale because of their expected tips. But tipping someone that is being paid a fair wage for their skills, to me is a put down. Like taking pity on them for their situation, or is it just an ego trip for the tipper.

Okay I'm through venting, you can throw things at me now. But no $ pleasehttp://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
having never ever had to back up for my pay ....i have never felt put down by some one who offered me a tip up on top of my services and i have made and spent some big money in my day ...a simple thank you has always made me feel good about the one getting my services how ever large or small ....most times if some one wants to tip me i usually tell them it not necessary but if they try the second time i receive it well and say thank you very much........

regards

woody
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
heritage said:
Don't the minimum wage laws apply to marina personnel? Tipping waiters at a restaurant makes sense because hourly pay is below the minimum wage scale because of their expected tips. But tipping someone that is being paid a fair wage for their skills, to me is a put down. Like taking pity on them for their situation, or is it just an ego trip for the tipper.

Okay I'm through venting, you can throw things at me now. But no $ pleasehttp://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif.
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See you in the War Room! :D
 
C

Captn TJ

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Nov 24, 2012
586
heritage said:
Don't the minimum wage laws apply to marina personnel? Tipping waiters at a restaurant makes sense because hourly pay is below the minimum wage scale because of their expected tips. But tipping someone that is being paid a fair wage for their skills, to me is a put down. Like taking pity on them for their situation, or is it just an ego trip for the tipper. Okay I'm through venting, you can throw things at me now. But no $ pleasehttp://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif.
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The dock hands at our club are young men and women many of them paying their way through school at the same time their job is to help dock the boat by taking lines. So when they go above and beyond by hooking up electrical or taking garbage I don't mind a tip - it's also a good lesson

As far as the 'pump out' gal - no amount of minimum wage is worth what she does.
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Captn TJ said:
As far as the 'pump out' gal - no amount of minimum wage is worth what she does.
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Captn TJ: That is a bunch of crap. What is good for the guys is good for the gals. I get to pump out our tank for ZERO $$! :)
 
C

Captn TJ

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Nov 24, 2012
586
Apparently you misunderstood. It doesn't matter to me whether it's a guy or gal. If just so happens that the PERSON that fuels the boats and pumps them out last summer happened to be a gal. whether it's a guy or gal I'll gladly tip them for going through the process of pumping both tanks rinsing them twice and washing down the deck.

Of course your comment about a 'lot of crap' might have been intended as a pun!
 
T

troutman

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Oct 20, 2013
65
Hobie,Venture hobie 16,V21 Carlye lake
At Lake of the Ozarks I have had young people help me tie up almost every time. The girls usually have on bikinis. I give them five dollars, if they pump gas I give them more. No, that is not code.
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,213
CC 30 South Florida
Usually tip $10 to the dockhand that grabs the lines. Over the years I believe it has landed me car rides, tool loans, choice slips on return visits and plenty of local knowledge and good advice. In some areas it is expected but in others the recipients are pleasantly surprised and go out of their way to be most helpful.
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
$$$$$$

Yes we tip the pump out guys,fuel guy and dock guy but usually the fuel and pump out same guy and when docking yes tip and let them share $$$$ I hope all the tips into 1 pile to share.
We just came back from 3 weeks cruising from Punta Gorda to as far as Tarpon Springs stopping at some Marina's but mostly anchoring out and when we did dock at a Marina I could not get over how much they went above and beyond
helping us with everything.
Turtle Cove Marina in Tarpon Springs had 2 guys waiting for us and they did it
all we just handed the lines and electric and they did it all and even did the pump out with dock side pump out.
Nick
 
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