macjazzy

Just a question to invoke a little thought I guess. I have owned a boat for about 13 years now and I have never accepted any money for gas or anything else when having friends out on the boat with me. The exception is I will let them buy lunch/dinner out if they offer and we stop someplace or have will let them bring refreshments, again only if they offered.

But with fuel prices almost tripling in the past few years and no end in sight to where it will level off, if it ever does again. I am revisiting the idea in my head. Ie. what to do when offered (still not asking for it) fuel money at fill ups.

One reason I have never taken it before was I figured I was going to use the boat whether I had guests on it or not. One difference now is by ourselves alot of time now we just go a very short distance and hang out on the hook a lot more than we used to. Although when we have guests they always want to go for a ride further away, not that I blame them. Why go out on someones boat if they are just taking you 1/2 mile away to sit at anchor all day, right?

Anyway, as I said I have still not taken any money from anyone for gas and have not changed my mind about it but it is something a have rethought in my mind a bit recently.

What do you guys do or think this?

Glen E

I take it EVERY time - sometimes even ask if it's my biz buddies...graciously and thankfully.... but don't even hesitate when you own heavy , thirsty black satanic verado anchors.....

the only ones I don't ask are my realatives...but that may change too...

Kamper

The Coast Guard changed their opinion on this a couple years ago. Sharing towards direct expenses of the voyage is ok.

macjazzy

Kamper I had not heard that. I was always kind of worried that by accepting gas money if anything happened it would be considered a chartered boat which would change my responsibility and possibly be an insurance issue. Since I am not a licensed capt. Do you know where i could read that for myself?

Tireless

Do what you are comfortable with........there is no right or wrong answer. Anybody that says otherwise is a goat fu......whoops, I got ahead of myself.

Personally, I don't ask but I will take if offered.

rhartjr

Yep, always. Except from my father, thats because if I'm on the boat then I'm at the beach staying in his house eating his food using his water etc. yet he always offers.

RI Builder

I never have and never will ask for gas money, or accept it if offered. If I invite you, you are my guest and the day is on me, period, end of story.

However, like Tireless wrote, do whatever you are comfortable with, each person's situation is different and there is no correct or wrong answer to this.

UBETRUN

Full tank before we start fishing, fill the tank after, divide by the number of anglers. Unless it's family, anything less is not fair.

Mumblerone

If your my guest...never. If you insist; I'll tell you ..."Catch you the next time!" I also avoid putting fuel in with guests onboard, looks like you asking for help. Now; arranged fishing trip, using my boat...that's a different story.

Tireless

Is there any other reason to use a boat?

DAVIT MASTER

I'll accept if offered but will never ask. A few years ago I would have declined but with insurance and fuel costs going up hear in Florida, times are changing and the wallet is not as fat as it once was.



www.davitmaster.com

Mist-Rest

Last time out we hid the money in the Raymarine packet. It took him a couple weeks but he knew who left it and called. These same guys just leave money in the truck and it gets found sooner or later. With all of us owning boats, we as friends understand the cost issues of our toys.

Victory 1

As stated above, on planned offshore fishing trips, everyone pitches in, otherwise, I dont ask, & usally refuse $ if offered. If we stop and have dinner & drinks & you reach for the ck, thats ok too....

orlandino

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Greddy

I always fill up alone just for this reason. Every time I bring someone or some family (with mine) out on the boat, I am asked what to bring. I tell them to bring something to eat and drink for everyone. I am going to use the boat regardless and I feel a guest is a guest. Do you ask them to split the heat and air conditioning cost when they stay at your house? I think not.

darren gordon

My average fishing trip to the offshore ledges and gulf stream cost between 450 and 600 dollars just in fuel no maintenance,bait or food we go with the tank full I fill it up when it is convenient. I split it with the anglers I don't have to ask it is a given.On trips to the sandbar and out for food,and drinks I never ask and would not take it if it was offered.

FearNaut

Kamper is 100% correct. I HAVE seen it in writting but am unable find it right now.

It's really just an application of the basic principal. The CG wants to make sure that folks that are routinely operating their vessel for business purposes are properly licensed in order to protect the general public. Accepting reimbursement for actual costs ($0 profit) on a casual basis amongst friends is perfectly acceptable.

Your liability as a boat owner/operator remains the same, whether you accept any money or not, so that really isn't much of an issue.

Tireless

Gee.....what a nice way to put it for the folks that do not have as much discretionary income that you have. Seriously.......outstanding reply. I should have known there was only one answer to this question.







Note to self: I need to work on my smugness to compete here.

iron banks

I have a circle of fishing buddies that are regulars. We always split the costs. If it is truly a guest on the boat then its on me 100%.

Stevens

I have never asked for gas money, would be a bit embarrassed and would absolutely refuse if anyone offered to pay. However, I would gladly eat a sandwich or drink a beer if they had brought any such - but wouldn't expect that either.