Boats don't run on thanks

[ktugboat42]

Last summer was the first time i asked my friends to help out with fuel and this is when you know who your good friends are. There wasn't one time that anyone complained because they saw how much $$ i spent at the pump and how quickly the fuel was getting sucked up by watching the navman fuel flow meter. Also, I only take out people that i know will have no problem with chipping in.

[beamie]

I have never asked people for money. Like Mike says I like the company. Usually I'll tell my guests to bring lunch, and drinks. If they offer to give me money I'll once say I'm all set, however if they want to give it again I take it. Sometimes you find a twenty stuck in your tackle bag the next day.

I can be a weird situation.

I really like Freaks answer to bring them to the pump and watch the numbers.

[seabass]

This a good thread! I go out alot, and it gets EXPENSIVE to say the least. I enjoy fishing with my buddies rather than alone most of the time ( once in a while the solitude is needed ) and they always bring food, bait and beverages. They also always help clean the boat and take their turn at the wheel, but lets face it, gas, insurance, tackle.... it adds up quik!I don't think they realize that 150 yds of wire and flouro leader costs $25. Fuel was $3.15 last year, and no wallets came out. I know I'd go if they weren't there, but guys, a little help. Marina fees, storage costs,up keep, electronics, etc. My wife goes nuts, she thinks they should buy all the gas! We do alot as a family on the boat so it's not just me and the guys, otherwise she'd want it gone. I don't want to ask themforcash because I think that's akward, I'm nota charter, but I think you free loaders should offer!

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by seabass

This a good thread! I go out alot, and it gets EXPENSIVE to say the least. I enjoy fishing with my buddies rather than alone most of the time ( once in a while the solitude is needed ) and they always bring food, bait and beverages. They also always help clean the boat and take their turn at the wheel, but lets face it, gas, insurance, tackle.... it adds up quik!I don't think they realize that 150 yds of wire and flouro leader costs $25. Fuel was $3.15 last year, and no wallets came out. I know I'd go if they weren't there, but guys, a little help. Marina fees, storage costs,up keep, electronics, etc. My wife goes nuts, she thinks they should buy all the gas! We do alot as a family on the boat so it's not just me and the guys, otherwise she'd want it gone. I don't want to ask themforcash because I think that's akward, I'm nota charter, but I think you free loaders should offer!

Tell you freeloading friends to book some trips with us,
We will be glad to take their money!
I started out years ago fishing with my younger brother, he had the boat and every time I insisted of filling the tank.
Then I bought my 1st boat and he started coming out on my MUCH better (and FAR more expensive to run) boat.
He would come out all the time and would allways bring one of his buddies allong, and neither would offer 1 cent for gas, bait,ect...
and as soon as we would pull into my slip, their cell phones would start ringing, and it would be their wives yelling at them to get home,
and of course they never hung around to help clean up the boat.
Then I bought my brand new Parker and I took them out 1 time,
Same story !!!
That was the last time my brother got on my boat.
Now when we talk about fishing & going out, I tell him what our charter rates are !!!

[BigFish]

I get out with a couple of the guys from here on the site....always offer money for fuel....if they don't take it I bring food, sodas, ice, bait....whatever. This year I will be paying my way with wood...any takers?

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by BigFish

I get out with a couple of the guys from here on the site....always offer money for fuel....if they don't take it I bring food, sodas, ice, bait....whatever. This year I will be paying my way with wood...any takers?

You can be the 1st to try to hook up a fish with my Raider plugs !!!

[Van]

Originally Posted by BigFish

I get out with a couple of the guys from here on the site....always offer money for fuel....if they don't take it I bring food, sodas, ice, bait....whatever. This year I will be paying my way with wood...any takers?

I'd never take $$ from you buddy...

What's this WOOD of which you speak ?????

But,,,,, I want dibs on the trophy you will get for a fish caught on my boat !!!!!!! Still think we shoulda chased those TUNA !!!

[Mr. Sandman]

I have never taken money for taking someone fishing. (even as a lic'ed Capt) That said I only invite friends and family and do a few favors. Most of the people I fish with invite me on their boat too so I think in the end it all works out. If there was an exceptional trip (big day offshore) I would offer $$$, that is only being polite.

If I was entering something like a shark tourney with a group of guys I would lay out in advace what the costs are. You can spend a ton of cash on these things and if you don't have deep pockets it can hurt. But for a day of fluke fishing in the sound with a few friends, I will absorb it.

That said, the cost of fuel and dockage and boat ownership in general is getting absurdly high. I try not to think about it when filling up esp when I really fish hard on the boat everyday. I keep telling myself that a good day on the water is worth it but I can tell you it is keeping me from buying a big sportsfishermen. A canyon run on even a somewhat efficient boat can exceed $1000 in fuel alone. That is a lot of coin for fuel a fishing trip. One has to think that this fuel cost has to be impacting boat sales. I can only imagine that big boats with gas engines are considered dino's in the re-sale market. My wife is pushing for a tralwler style with live aboard space and I tell you @3-4 gal/hour compared to 40+ for a sportsfishermen, I may go with the trawler and tow my little seacraft around for fishing fun.

There will be no quick fix either. fuel cells, electric or hybrids will not cut it for boats or even SUV's that are really used as SUV's in the deep sand.

I would like a nice big sportfishermen with a small reactor(s) that produce about 3000hp each. Clean, no exhaust and you only replace the fuel every 30 years or so. This may sound like a pipe dream (today it sort of is) but in the longer term the next generation of atomic power is the worlds solution to energy. No question in my mind. I doubt I will be alive to see it though. Until then, I will have to live with outboards and diesels and pay the price.

[Raider Ronnie]

When I invite a friend out for the day I will NOT accept anything !!!
But I have a group of friends that we either go out on my boat or theirs and It's kind of an unspoken thing that I fill my tank and they fill theirs!
But we allways help to clean up each others boat !

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by beamie

I have never asked people for money. Like Mike says I like the company. Usually I'll tell my guests to bring lunch, and drinks. If they offer to give me money I'll once say I'm all set, however if they want to give it again I take it. Sometimes you find a twenty stuck in your tackle bag the next day.

I can be a weird situation.

I really like Freaks answer to bring them to the pump and watch the numbers.

Beamie,
NEVER let Notaro on your boat without bringing the hotdog pasteries,
Their AWESOME !!!

[beamie]

Originally Posted by Raider Ronnie

Beamie,
NEVER let Notaro on your boat without bringing the hotdog pasteries,
Their AWESOME !!!

Notaro can bring a wide variety of foods though the hotdog pastry thing I have yet to see. Maybe this year.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by beamie

I have never asked people for money. Like Mike says I like the company. Usually I'll tell my guests to bring lunch, and drinks. If they offer to give me money I'll once say I'm all set, however if they want to give it again I take it. Sometimes you find a twenty stuck in your tackle bag the next day.

I can be a weird situation.

I really like Freaks answer to bring them to the pump and watch the numbers.

Beamie - same tactic I employ. I have my friends pack snacks & drinks. If they offer $$ once I always refuse but again a second time I'll take. And like you said, I find $$ in wierd places when I'm home breaking down the boat.

[Sea Dangles]

I don't think you invite some one out withexpectations of money.Unles it's been discussed then it is ignorant to think that way.Communicate with your guests.It sure could get awkward when your buddy shows up with beer bait tackle and food then you ask him for $$$ and to wash the boat afterwards. I know I usually spend $50 before I step on board.Sticking out your hand to help defray slip costs and maintenance dollars is like asking barbecue guests for money to cover heating oil,home insurance or pool water delivery.If you can't afford it,don't buy it.

[blue oyster]

i usually fish alone (most i know don't like the hours) but when i do have company i ask for nothing and expect nothing (friends always help with other things) , i was going fishing anyway , the only rule i have is i will only fish with one other person , any more than that you are doing nothing more than running an unpaid charter , no time to fish yourself , with only a short season i want to fish every moment. as far as cleaning the boat i have a routine and its a lot easer and quicker for me to do it alone

[macojoe]

Its a funny thing, I brought this very subject up 2 seasons ago, and was almost Castrated!!
The thought that I would ask for money was like I just murdered someone!
Now the gas has gone Thur the roof its OK??

Weather gas is $1 or $5 a gal, not all people are rich. I am a poor man in a rich mans sport!!
I have always made it clear that we all must share the expense! I have a few friends that are bad off, and they have gone fishing with me many times for free!! But always help out with the clean up!

I have had a guy (friend I thought) go fishing with me, brought no food, water, or anything! Not even a rod!
I supplied all (good thing I have extra on the boat) at the end of the day he had drank and eat all my food, broke a very special rod (I made for a friend that died) used up a bunch of tackle, and then held up a 5 gal bucket for Fluke, he said that was all he wanted.
Never offered me a dime, had to go could not stay for the clean up, and as for the rod, not even a sorry! Just well its a good thing you build rods you can make another for nothing.
Then got in his car and as he drove away said, "I will see you next time"

That was 3 years ago, and I have never seen him again, and if I ever do it will be too soon!

If you make it clear from the beginning the people that call you friend will always help out!!

[nightfighter]

It never hurts to discuss the gameplan during the invite. This would include where you expect to fish, how far that run will be, hmmm at X gallons per hour, we'll be burning about y gallons, aw we'll just fuel together, before we go out, (if possible, not on a 0400 departure though) The # of gallons you burn are definitely up for discussion. Some people don't know and still others need to be reminded what it takes to make things happen. Just look how pros like Bill and Juls handle it. There is a surcharge when they expect to be making a longer run offshore to chase tuna!
hey, a charter is different from entertaining clients, so you are entitled to invite "friends" to fish and share in the pieces that make the whole thing happen. If that means food and beverage, so be it. Delegate! You are the captain aren't you?

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by macojoe

If you make it clear from the beginning the people that call you friend will always help out!!

Hey buddy I got my wallet ready Here flukey fluke.

[quick decision]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

I don't think you invite some one out withexpectations of money.Unles it's been discussed then it is ignorant to think that way.Communicate with your guests.It sure could get awkward when your buddy shows up with beer bait tackle and food then you ask him for $$$ and to wash the boat afterwards. I know I usually spend $50 before I step on board.Sticking out your hand to help defray slip costs and maintenance dollars is like asking barbecue guests for money to cover heating oil,home insurance or pool water delivery.If you can't afford it,don't buy it.

I think it depends who it is a what the situation is. I like to have the guests help out with gas if we are going to make out run outside to do some cod fishing. If we are going to bop around the harbor money wont be turned down but isnt expected. I have no problem telling people up front what the deal is.

"If you can't afford it,don't buy it" What does that statement mean. I make a lot of sacerfices so I can have a boat. So mabey I dont go out to eat everyday, I bring a lunch. Mabey I drive a 2001 Trailblazer instead of a 2006. I dont go to bars and drink, do drugs, gamble. I choose to own a boat. That is a idiotic stupid thing to say.

[Sea Dangles]

Originally Posted by quick decision

I think it depends who it is a what the situation is. I like to have the guests help out with gas if we are going to make out run outside to do some cod fishing. If we are going to bop around the harbor money wont be turned down but isnt expected. I have no problem telling people up front what the deal is.

"If you can't afford it,don't buy it" What does that statement mean. I make a lot of sacerfices so I can have a boat. So mabey I dont go out to eat everyday, I bring a lunch. Mabey I drive a 2001 Trailblazer instead of a 2006. I dont go to bars and drink, do drugs, gamble. I choose to own a boat. That is a idiotic stupid thing to say.

I'll tell you in plain English.Don't buy a boat expecting other people to pick up your expenses.Very simple.

[Goose]

I don't think you invite some one out withexpectations of money.Unles it's been discussed then it is ignorant to think that way.Communicate with your guests.It sure could get awkward when your buddy shows up with beer bait tackle and food then you ask him for $$$ and to wash the boat afterwards. I know I usually spend $50 before I step on board.Sticking out your hand to help defray slip costs and maintenance dollars is like asking barbecue guests for money to cover heating oil,home insurance or pool water delivery.If you can't afford it,don't buy it.

WTH are you talking about, I think your misunderstanding my point but then again how could you? God bless you if you can afford to host time after time....good for you, I'ld do it to if I could. I mentioned moneys for 1 outing, not a short trip, not a one time thing.

IMO, the most important thing anyone on this site has is his or her own reputation. I think sayin "if you can't afford it, don't buy it" is a low blow. Furtunantly enough I can afford it but I'm tired of getting walked on. Somebody once told me "you take the shirt off your back your gonna be cold". This is one of the reasons I fish alone and my boat is a bay boat. Don't get it confused with I'm not a people person, there isn't a guy I won't fish with here or take out for that matter.
I "know" plug builders and rod builders aren't given the credit they deserve for the same reasons I mentioned, don't think boaters don't feel the same. Your accussing the victom?

[Saltheart]

I had a sailboat for 23 years. I never expected anything to run the boat.

I would sometimes expect that people would at least feed themselves. That is , if its a day trip , don't expect me to load up with grinders and soda , etc. Anyone who knows anything would not only bring their own food but also some for you.

Its a social thing and you have to be careful not to hurt peoples feelings too. . For example , someone invites you to their house and wines and dines you and somewhere along the way you invite them out on the boat , you can see how they may figure the boat ride is payback and not bring anything. Most people will ask , should I bring anything , if you expect it , let them know. If you say , no I got everything , don't be surprised when they do show up empty handed.

You also have to be careful how you word the invite. "Would you like to come out boating Sat as my guest"? That person shouldn't be expected to pay anything.

"How about we split expenses and go out on the boat for the day" , then people know up front. This is my personal preference when invited out on someone elses boat. Just let me know what the deal is upfront and I'm glad to chip in.

I also think it depends on how often people do it. Someones first invite out maybe you take care of everything , even feeding them. However if its every week with the same people , they should catch on and start bringing food , beer etc.

Now I understand fishing trips are different than a day sail. Fishing trips burn gasand people get to take home fish. It should be discussed up front that if possible , a little help with gas money , after the trip is over , would be nice. Also , don't expect to share anything more than the comsumables , like gas ,. You;re crazy if you think people are going to add an extra $50 cause they know the outboard gets wear and tear. Also , if gas is $60 , don't expect each person to give you $60. Just their share is nice enough.

You also have to take into account someones circumstances too. Don't ask a dirt poor guy with 10 kids to go out fishing and expect a hundred for gas. If this is what's expected , make it clear ahead of time.

Anyway , as I said , I never wanted anything for the boat , gas , dock etc. That's my resposibility as the owner but if you want ham samdwiches and cheese and wine , bring some , enough for everyone.

The last thing I wanted to mention was that some people don't want to insult you by offering money. There may be many points of view as to whether the trip is shared , payback , just being nice , philanthropic , etc


Anyway , I would much rather have everything discussed up front so no one gets disappointed or surprised or put in the situation of not knowing what to do. As the boat owner , if you never expect anything , you are never disappointed and sometimes pleasantly surprised.

Good topic though. There are a million scenarios and circumstances under which you may be expected to chip in , hope you'll chip in , not expected to chip in and insulting for even offering to chip in.

[Sea Dangles]

Originally Posted by Goose

WTH are you talking about, I think your misunderstanding my point but then again how could you? God bless you if you can afford to host time after time....good for you, I'ld do it to if I could. I mentioned moneys for 1 outing, not a short trip, not a one time thing.

IMO, the most important thing anyone on this site has is his or her own reputation. I think sayin "if you can't afford it, don't buy it" is a low blow. Furtunantly enough I can afford it but I'm tired of getting walked on. Somebody once told me "you take the shirt off your back your gonna be cold". This is one of the reasons I fish alone and my boat is a bay boat. Don't get it confused with I'm not a people person, there isn't a guy I won't fish with here or take out for that matter.
I "know" plug builders and rod builders aren't given the credit they deserve for the same reasons I mentioned, don't think boaters don't feel the same. Your accussing the victom?

Goose,don't misunderstand me,if you have worked it out beforehand that fuel will be split then so be it.No low blow was intended and I aploogize if I offended you.My point was that no one should lose friends over miscommunication.After all it's money.Accept it if it's offered of course ,but if someone shows up with bait, ice,beer, tackle etc. for a close trip they are usually pulling their weight.That being said you are welcome to paddle with me anytime

[macojoe]

I'll tell you in plain English.Don't buy a boat expecting other people to pick up your expenses.Very simple.

I don't expect for them to pick up the expenses, But I no going to have them leaching for free eaither.