Marina Etiquette Tips

We always tip at the gas dock, pumping out, and sometimes if docking required extra effort from the marina staff.
 
We have some free pump out boats that come around on weekends to a popular anchoring spot. I usually tip the kid $5.00 and a couple of bottles of ice cold water on a hot summer day.
I rarely get fuel at a fuel dock. We have an independent fuel guy that delivers it direct to the boat at the dock.
But when I do go to a fuel dock I usually give the kid at the dock $5.00.
 
A twenty dollar tip would be considered about right at our gas dock when you buy more than a hundred gallons of gas and get the head pumped. Ten dollars would probably be considered a little light and anything less would be politely accepted while the dock hand would be thinking "cheap skate".
 
I hope it's okay to reply to an old thread, but I am really glad the subject of tipping came up. We're new boaters still and are not sure the proper way to do things. We rent a slip on a lake. On our last trip out before winter, we pulled around to get gas for the very first time. The pumping area was cramped and we sucked at trying to pull our 31' cruiser into the right spot. The gas kid was very patient, and fortunately we didn't bump into anyone. After the gas, I asked him to pump out. There wasn't anything solid except for a bit of paper, but the season was ending and I didn't want anything in the holding tank for the winter. They guy didn't blink or cringe and even offered to rinse the tank. The gas cost around $300 and the pumpout was free. I didn't know if I was supposed to tip, so I asked the guy "Can I tip you?" He shrugged and said, "If you want." I gave him $20. I never knew if that was a good amount or if tipping was normal. The new season is coming up, so thank you all for bringing this up. Now I know.
I think you did fine, I don't think there is a set amount, at least not around LKN. I keep my boat in dry storage, during the summer the marina employees college kids to manage getting boats in / out of the gas dock and on / off the lift. My boat is usually in the water when I arrive, so it's hard to know who handled it. They also help me when I get back in, get tied up, covered and back on the lift - so that guy usually gets $5. Same if I get gas, again another college kid, he gets $5 for gas. As far as the fork lift drivers, it's hard to reach up and tip them, plus they are my age so it's a little awkward - there are three of them, so I leave an envelope for each with $25 each month during the summer. In watching others, I see everything from no tipping, to what I do, to the guy that tips $20 to everyone he sees and expects them to fall all over him. They all seem to appreciate it, I wouldn't say it buys me any better service, I feel like they give everyone good service, but it helps when I ask for something special. They run a tight ship, everyone is nice, polite professional, the one or two people that were not didn't last long.
 
In my opinion when I fill up with fuel or have my holding tank pumped out the attendant deserves a tip. NOT just $5 either. If we can affording boating we can afford to help those keeping us on the water. Most of the kids working on the gas docks in our area are putting themselves through college working summer jobs. They do catch lines, fill the tanks and pump and rinse. I don't do anything and that's at every marina around here. If I'm spending 750 to 1000 for fuel I will give anywhere from 30-50 bucks. I'm not a wealthy man, just been in their shoes and if I'm busting my butt for someone I want to be rewarded. I hope with this being an old thread that times have changed. I have also talked to one of the gas attendants who is a family friend and she said that I'm in line with others in our area.
 
Aurora, I usually tip 10 to 20, depending on attitude , with the pump out I feel you were more then generous, I'm sure you helped make his day.Steve
 
Any tip i give is based on the service I receive...bare minimum service =0$$$. Tips aren't to reward people for doing the least that they can do. The rationale that 'I have a boat, therefore I must tip' doesn't work for me. My .02
 
Got fuel in both tanks and a pumpout yesterday. The pumps at my marina are very slow so it took the kid 20 minutes to pump 100 gallons. Tipped him $10.
 
I rarely get fuel at a fuel dock. We have an independent fuel guy that delivers it direct to the boat at the dock.

You fuel up in your slip?

Due to the risk of a fire that could burn every boat in sight, that’s always been forbidden at my marina and all others around here.

They don’t forbid gassing up your own boat as long as it’s done in a designated area. There wasn’t always a pump there, so we had a tank in a trailer with a 12 volt metered pump. Saved a fortune.

Backing that thing up to the slips was a one way ticket out of the marina.
 
I used to push a lawn mower over 1-2 acre lawns in the hot summer for $4. I'm not opposed to tipping but too believe it depends on service. The fuel dock help in MD does not pump our gas. Sometimes they barely help get us in the fuel pier and tied up before they hand us the pump. Then they untie us before 4 minutes of blower time has happened and still we have not started our engines. That's not all fuel docks and the one experience I had with a fuel dock in Annapolis I would have given the dock hand the keys to my boat as a tip. I guess it just depends on where you are.
 
You fuel up in your slip?

Due to the risk of a fire that could burn every boat in sight, that’s always been forbidden at my marina and all others around here.

They don’t forbid gassing up your own boat as long as it’s done in a designated area. There wasn’t always a pump there, so we had a tank in a trailer with a 12 volt metered pump. Saved a fortune.

Backing that thing up to the slips was a one way ticket out of the marina.

JVM's boat is diesel, so yes, he fuels up in his slip. I do the same thing with the same fuel supply company he uses. Very convenient and safe. The same delivery company is NOT permitted to refuel gas boats in my marina.
 
At my fuel dock, I'm fueling the boat all the attendant does is take my visa... I do not tip for that.
 
You fuel up in your slip?

Due to the risk of a fire that could burn every boat in sight, that’s always been forbidden at my marina and all others around here.

They don’t forbid gassing up your own boat as long as it’s done in a designated area. There wasn’t always a pump there, so we had a tank in a trailer with a 12 volt metered pump. Saved a fortune.

Backing that thing up to the slips was a one way ticket out of the marina.
I’m not in a slip or Marina. I dock my boat alongside the bulkhead of a piece of private property I own that is on a canal. Truck pulls up to the curb, he drags the hose to my boat, and fills it up. Very common on the private properties along my canal.
No more dangerous than getting a fuel delivery at your house.
One of the many advantages of not being in a Marina.
 
JVM's boat is diesel, so yes, he fuels up in his slip. I do the same thing with the same fuel supply company he uses. Very convenient and safe. The same delivery company is NOT permitted to refuel gas boats in my marina.

At our yacht club the town Fire Marshall pulled the plug on fueling (both gas and diesel) boats from tank trucks or portable gas cans years ago. The state Fire Marshall gives the Town Fire Marshall wide discretion on how to interpret and enforce the rules. The latest restriction forbids using your grill (type of fuel doesn't matter) while tied to your slip.
 
When we were in a slip in Aventura, we got fuel to the slip directly off the truck.

Hoping to get that set up again where we are now.

Mark
 
On the west coast you fill your own boat. You do your own pump out and you fill your own water tank. The gas person catches a line and gives you a push off if you require it. You eastern focks have it pretty good.
 
I waded through this whole thread being a future boat owner.
I currently live in an apt that is dog friendly. In the 8 years I have lived there I have not seen a single person either train their dog or have a trained dog besides me. The building has 300 units so lots of people. They are the rudest people on the planet. And their dogs match. We (my dog and I ) have been accosted by other dogs many times. My dog was bitted twice by dogs she trusted. This resulted in a life long distrust of all dogs here. I have spent what most would consider a fortune training her. She knows well over 75 direct commands.

There is a poop regulation that could cost you $200 fine. The county, city and this community are all on leash rules. As a result of loose dogs I have taken a very hard line on off leash and loose dogs. I’m not a tiny guy but well past getting physical but I will not let my dog get attacked and I won’t stand for attacks on me. I carry a very powerful stun device as well as a stout walking stick. I don’t know the dog rushing us so I’m ready to stop it in his tracks. I have done it too.
I spent 6 days in ICU this spring as a result of a fall caused by a loose dog. Fortunately my insurance covered me well.

As for pooping and not picking it up.....the poop police are out every time we go out. The dogs are supposed to give DNA samples when brought in by renters. Many are not. I posted a picture on our community social media site. It was taken down as inappropriate. So I complained. The office said to bring in offenders samples so I did. I added a couple pictures of the people and dogs. A few others have done the same. The piles continue.

I train dogs and have for well over 25 years. Not a beginner. I’ve trained police patrol dogs, narc dogs and search dogs as well as sport dogs.

Thanks all for tipping guide lines. I’ll be able to judge when I get a boat.

The chosen marina does not allow fueling on the slips. They have a fueling dock.

I’ll be in the live aboard group so dogs may be an issue. I already told the owner I do strictly leash walks and expect the same. He agrees. He said any problem to come and see him.

I’m really excited about this live aboard. Something I’ve thought about for a long time. It’s tough here in Minn but doable.

Byron
 
Live aboard year round in Minnesota?

I have a friend here in upstate New York that wintered on the hard on a sailboat for 2 years. It was nearly impossible for him to really keep warm with the wind and lack of insulation. He had a wood stove on board and everything had to be hauled up a ladder...firewood and all.

I'd call him whenever the temps got near zero and often he was crashing at his mom's or a friend's place.
 

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