Gratuities for bareboat charter operator

[henryjm]

This is our first time doing a bareboat charter. As we did not hire a captain, I was surprised to be handed an envelope the day we departed on our vacation marked "gratuities appreciated ". Is this typical and if so , what % should I give the operator at the end of our 5 day rental?


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[carstenb]

HI henryjm and welcome aboard.


I've never chartered, but if I were chartering bareboat - I certainly wouldn't give a gratuity. Having the boat in a ready to sail condition when you arrive is the company's job - that why you pay the rental fee - certainly not something that warrants a gratuity.

You don't tip the car rental company when you rent a car do you?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Henry.

[henryjm]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Henry.

Thanks for the warm welcome . I am new at bareboating. I like the idea of being able to rent anywhere and give back the keys at the end of the trip. We are currently on a 5 day cruise they the Gulf Islands off Punta
Gorda FL in a Beneteau 343


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[captain58sailin]

Welcome to the forum. No gratuity required.

[letsgetsailing3]

You'd tip a skipper, if you had one, for personal services, but I wouldn't tip for a bareboat, unless they really went out of their way to do something special for you, like stock it with something special or deliver it to somewhere unusual for you.

[belizesailor]

This is not typical and I would not tip in this situation.

I've been involved in the charter biz off and on over a couple of decades and never encountered tipping of the base office staff. I might tip the dock crew directly if they were especially helpful with something, but more like $20, nothing approaching any significant % of the charter. Tips are for good service, by definition a bareboat charter does not involve much service.

One default benefit to the dock crew is "CLO's" (Charter Left Overs). Charter guests almost always over purchase on food and, particularly at international venues, leave the left overs on the boat. Some dock crews really clean up on CLO's.

Tipping is common for captain and crew on a full service charter, but what is gratuity for on a bareboat charter? :what:

[pillum]

No service provided here, so no gratuity required.

[compassrose88]

That's amazing! Did you mention which company it was? I've been chartering boats in the islands for 15 years and NEVER had that experience!

[Tingum]

What charter company? Ditto Pillum, no service provided. If one particular employee went out of their way to help you in some way that is a different story, but not for just doing their job.

[duefocena]

Having been in the charter business both skippered and bare boat there should be no envelope for bare boat chartering. I would call the charter company and ask what is expected here. Tips for special service, help in loading or unloading, local knowledge or special assistance are appropriate and when in doubt $5-$10 makes sure you are covered. Nobody wants to seem cheap but nobody needs to be ripped off either.

[denverd0n]

On one charter, when we had a problem with the engine alternator not charging the battery, I tipped the guy who came out to the anchorage we were in and fixed it. I have tipped dock workers who helped us bring provisions from a taxi down to the boat. That sort of thing seems quite reasonable and appropriate. But tipping the charter operator for a bareboat charter? Nope. Not gonna do it.

[terrysandling]

Tipping has become an absolute joke especially in America, perhaps doctors pilots dentists the farmer who produces the food we eat, why not tip every one every where you go its an absolute joke ,I would never expect a tip for helping someone it should be part of their job and if they are not getting paid enough go look for another job ,your question should I tip for a bare boat charter not only is incomprehensible ,but its next door to begging, if every time we all needed a little hand we had to tip what a world we live in, it should be an honour to help ones fellow citizen, that's why the worlds where it is. PS they whoever they are who have asked for that tip are taking the PISS. TS

[duefocena]

I called The Catamaran Company and spoke to their charter representative who said it is definitely not appropriate for the charter company to expect tips on a bare boat charter.

[SoFla Sailor]

What about for a captain in Greece?

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