Marina Tips

[DougP]

Odd question, but something we debated over dinner last night:

Do you tip the dock help when they help you tie up or launch? Not talking about casual help, but marina employees at some nicer marinas and some resorts.

[Joe Kern]

 I always tip the fuel guys at our marina fuel dock a few bucks.  They remember it and always end up helping when we leave the dock or the next time.  Of course getting fuel every 2 0r 3 months it is not a big deal.

Our only other marina visits are usually in the Bahamas.  We always tip the dock guys and over the years have gotten all kinds of little benefits like ice delivery, forgetting to charge us for water and free use of a power cord extender.

I work for a restaurant company and as a result am pretty much a over-tipper generally.  Folks in those service jobs are generally hard-working and underpaid.  Tipping makes me feel a little less guilty as I pull up in my $100k sailboat.

Joe

[Joe and Carol]

Yes.

[Roc]

Out of curiosity, what should a reasonable tip be?  For restaurants, 15-20% is the norm, but how about dock line helpers?

[Ken Heyman]

re: dock line helpers: Is it "so much" per foot?, Seriously though, I do tip these guys ususally a buck or two depending on circumstances and whether they go the extra "yard" for you.

Ken

[Kyle Ewing]

Many years ago in Ft. Lauderdale dockhands expected a buck a foot for the 64' boat I was on.  The captain said that was rediculous. 

In Chicago I'll tip only if they're helpful, usually $2-3 for fuel (15-20%) or $5 for fuel and pumpout.

[sdaly66]

I always tip, a bit more if it's young people doing a summer job.

Usually 2-3 dollars per person. 

However, I am also not afraid to NOT tip if the service is poor.