OK, it may have already been a topic of discussion here but I'm curious, do you tip a dockhand when you visit a marina as a transient? Several boats from my sailing club visited a new marina this weekend and several captains commented on how the dockhands really seemed to be hovering around looking for a tip. I've never tipped a dockhand and all of the other captains said they have never done it either. This weekend one of the first mates tipped him because she felt uncomfortable with the way he was obviously waiting for a tip. If you are a tipper, how much do you tip? Tom s/v Orion's Child
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Tipping is a commercial arrangement.
I find that tipping the supervisor well works wonder for service and consideration. Supposedly he will share with the dock hands but in any case will insure that you are taken care off. We trailer sail at different locations and find that a well tipped marina supervisor will go the extra mile to insure you have parking for your vehicle and trailer and even transportation into town plus if you need to overextend your stay he will find a spot for you. If you are just stopping for fuel a couple of bucks to the attendant will keep him motivated to provide expedient service.
I find that tipping the supervisor well works wonder for service and consideration. Supposedly he will share with the dock hands but in any case will insure that you are taken care off. We trailer sail at different locations and find that a well tipped marina supervisor will go the extra mile to insure you have parking for your vehicle and trailer and even transportation into town plus if you need to overextend your stay he will find a spot for you. If you are just stopping for fuel a couple of bucks to the attendant will keep him motivated to provide expedient service.
On the Ches Bay...
I usually tip for good service, dockhands, fuel attendants and pump-out. But, if they are idots, which they often are, I don't give them a dime. If they want to stand there, they can because in 5 I'm gonna tell them that too. The marina's here are too careless hiring idiot kids that don't know their head from a hole in the ground. Handling boats is a big responsiblity and I'd rather have no help than some kid causing trouble. That said, it's usually $5 +/- based on service and attitude.
I usually tip for good service, dockhands, fuel attendants and pump-out. But, if they are idots, which they often are, I don't give them a dime. If they want to stand there, they can because in 5 I'm gonna tell them that too. The marina's here are too careless hiring idiot kids that don't know their head from a hole in the ground. Handling boats is a big responsiblity and I'd rather have no help than some kid causing trouble. That said, it's usually $5 +/- based on service and attitude.
Sometimes a good tip doesn't help....
The other day I pulled up to the fuel dock right at closing time and the kid had to go turn the pumps back on. I felt a little bad for it and was grateful. Then I only needed about $10 of diesel (love my sailboat), so then I felt really bad. I gave him a $5 tip for a $10 purchase. Ya' know, maybe he'll remember me next time I pull up at closing time, right? But the guy before me bought $1000 worth of diesel and gave the kid a cigar. The kid raved about the cigar and I had to quietly remind him that I gave him a 50% tip!! I still don't think he made the connection. I won't tip there in the future. Dave
The other day I pulled up to the fuel dock right at closing time and the kid had to go turn the pumps back on. I felt a little bad for it and was grateful. Then I only needed about $10 of diesel (love my sailboat), so then I felt really bad. I gave him a $5 tip for a $10 purchase. Ya' know, maybe he'll remember me next time I pull up at closing time, right? But the guy before me bought $1000 worth of diesel and gave the kid a cigar. The kid raved about the cigar and I had to quietly remind him that I gave him a 50% tip!! I still don't think he made the connection. I won't tip there in the future. Dave
I wish I could add something different
I wish I could add something different but it doesn't it doesn't seem so. If a dock hand catches my boat on arrival, throws me a line and is pleasant, I will always tip a couple of three dollars. Not much, but something to say "thank you" for the good service. Good question by the way. Jack
I wish I could add something different but it doesn't it doesn't seem so. If a dock hand catches my boat on arrival, throws me a line and is pleasant, I will always tip a couple of three dollars. Not much, but something to say "thank you" for the good service. Good question by the way. Jack
Minimum Wage In Some Places
When I was in Charleston, SC awhile back I came across one of the city marina guys who was assigned to help tie up boats, direct transients, fuel, pump outs, help with baggage (cart procurement) and everything else in between. It was a young guy doing the work, but he confessed it was a minimum wage job paid by the City. You have to love being around boats to really enjoy a job like this but tips are indeed critical for these dock and fuel attendants. Its a job no different then a parking attendant or anyone else offering direct personal service. It would be interesting to talk to a professional yacht captain to learn what the standard is when it comes to paying out tip money to the dock crew during short term stays at large marinas. Bob
When I was in Charleston, SC awhile back I came across one of the city marina guys who was assigned to help tie up boats, direct transients, fuel, pump outs, help with baggage (cart procurement) and everything else in between. It was a young guy doing the work, but he confessed it was a minimum wage job paid by the City. You have to love being around boats to really enjoy a job like this but tips are indeed critical for these dock and fuel attendants. Its a job no different then a parking attendant or anyone else offering direct personal service. It would be interesting to talk to a professional yacht captain to learn what the standard is when it comes to paying out tip money to the dock crew during short term stays at large marinas. Bob
tipping
my experience has been that tips are not provided for every kid that talks to you on the radio or helps to tie up the boat, many of them are a hazard to the safety of boats and more than I would have thought like to tell an experience skipper what to do with a vessle. two weeks ago I docked with a pretty strong cross wind on the bow. a kid took the spring line only after we had it on the cleat and got really pissed off at me when I refused to take the vessle out of gear until the spring was tied off and bow and stern lines attached. he just dropped the rope and walked off and I had to act really fast. if someone goes out of the way to help with docking and tying up or other service, I tip. usually 5. one of the marina's I visit has a free holding tank pump boat that will come by. I generally tip that fellow 5. I have heard that many people will tip 5 for this service.
my experience has been that tips are not provided for every kid that talks to you on the radio or helps to tie up the boat, many of them are a hazard to the safety of boats and more than I would have thought like to tell an experience skipper what to do with a vessle. two weeks ago I docked with a pretty strong cross wind on the bow. a kid took the spring line only after we had it on the cleat and got really pissed off at me when I refused to take the vessle out of gear until the spring was tied off and bow and stern lines attached. he just dropped the rope and walked off and I had to act really fast. if someone goes out of the way to help with docking and tying up or other service, I tip. usually 5. one of the marina's I visit has a free holding tank pump boat that will come by. I generally tip that fellow 5. I have heard that many people will tip 5 for this service.
Dropped your line???
Monty, I think I would have registered a complaint with the Marina manager about that kid. Not doing anything would have been better than starting to help and walking away in the middle of it. Thanks to all of the respondents. I guess me and my club are out of step with the rest of the sailing community. I'll have to blow the cobwebs off of my wallet the next time I tie up at a marina. One more question, everyone seemed to think these guys are at minimum wage and depended on tips. What if it is the dockmaster and you are pretty sure he's making a decent wage, still tip? Tom s/v Orion's Child
Monty, I think I would have registered a complaint with the Marina manager about that kid. Not doing anything would have been better than starting to help and walking away in the middle of it. Thanks to all of the respondents. I guess me and my club are out of step with the rest of the sailing community. I'll have to blow the cobwebs off of my wallet the next time I tie up at a marina. One more question, everyone seemed to think these guys are at minimum wage and depended on tips. What if it is the dockmaster and you are pretty sure he's making a decent wage, still tip? Tom s/v Orion's Child
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