Question on Tipping in US Marinas

[Amgine]

I try to avoid marinas on principle, and until 2009 had never actually needed or used the dockhands services. But on July 3rd, coming into Sidney, BC... complete zoo, as I'm almost to my slip I got a phone call with a slip change (so much chatter on the VHF I never heard them calling for me), new slip is all the way inside with a 180 turn into a slip mostly full with an over-sized motor boat (almost decided to never again give my actual beam measurement.)

But there were three dock hands, one aboard the motor boat, who carefully and quickly eased me into the slip, tied the lines, and disappeared when I went below to find my wallet. And when I hunted one down later he refused the tip.

Needless to say, I was extremely impressed.

[sailstoo]

$3.00 Ffor the kid pumping out the head

[LaVieSB]

Excellent, Feedback and ideas! Yesterday at Miami Beach Marina, the dock guy took our line too far away and led the bow right into the pylon. Bent stantion and anchor roller. No tip.

[johnwins]

I happened upon this website by accident but wanted to throw my two cent's in; you should tip the dock staff if they are helpful, at least in the North East USA. If they refuse the tip that's fine but if they help tie up the boat, set the fenders, and run the power and water, than you should tip them. On the fuel dock if they're helpful $3.00 or $5.00 bucks isn't out of line. If it's docking at a transient marina and they do all those things I mentioned before anywhere between $5.00 and $20.00 bucks per guy would be reasonable. They don't get paid very much. And before you say that's too much, you tip a waiter 18% on restaurant bill - they just brought you some food someone else cooked; unless you’re super cheap you tip a bartender a dollar or two for handing you a cocktail. If the dockhands take care of you and your and boat that costs over $100,000.00 throwing a kid a couple of bucks should be common sense. It should go without saying you always tip the pump out.
I can tell you after being to several marinas in the northeast and talking to some of those kids on the dock Mega Yachts, and larger boats with hired crews, generally do not tip unless they’re only tipping the dock master – who is the one guy who probably should not be tipped in a larger place. Sail boaters usually don’ tip although they should. I’ve known guys to tip as much as a couple of hundred dollars which may be a little extreme but they seem to enjoy the level of service they get.

[s/v Beth]

I find you'r experiences with marinas much different than mine. Anacortes wouldn't tell me were the public heads were, only that they didn't have any available. (they were a 5 minute walk away) They did not help with our lines, and just handed us the fuel hose. They demanded we not spend more than 5 minutes on their dock, and we had to tag team trade because a person had to be next to the boat at all times while they ran to the fuel shack. I never pooped so fast in my life. And this was a cold, blowing lonely day in November with not another boat running in the harbor.
When I get to a transient slip, the only ones who have ever helped me with lines are the crew and perhaps a sailor who is next to me walking the dock. I then get to go track down the clerk in his warm office who often takes my money without even a thank you.
Your right I don't tip. If I got the kinda service talked about, I would.

[rtbates]

IF you were doing the job would you want to be tipped???

Of course you would... I tip.. I don't care what others do..

[delmarrey]

IMHO tipping people in low paying jobs gives them more incentive to do good work. And if they don't, no tip.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

I find you'r experiences with marinas much different than mine. Anacortes wouldn't tell me were the public heads were, only that they didn't have any available. (they were a 5 minute walk away) They did not help with our lines, and just handed us the fuel hose. They demanded we not spend more than 5 minutes on their dock, and we had to tag team trade because a person had to be next to the boat at all times while they ran to the fuel shack. I never pooped so fast in my life. And this was a cold, blowing lonely day in November with not another boat running in the harbor.
When I get to a transient slip, the only ones who have ever helped me with lines are the crew and perhaps a sailor who is next to me walking the dock. I then get to go track down the clerk in his warm office who often takes my money without even a thank you.
Your right I don't tip. If I got the kinda service talked about, I would.

This whole thing of tipping I find odd. I pay more for fuel at the dock than I would a pump on the street (I don't tip them either). The yard doing my haul-out is $100 labor and the workers cop an attitude if not tipped? Oh...I forgot...if you own a boat you're a rich SOB.
I'm a Tool Maker by trade. There is no such thing as doing a good job. There is only one way...the right way. I'm not tipped for holding tolerances that were requested of me. This US reward system has spilled over into SE Asia. At first they could not figure out why we wanted to give them more money than requested. Now, they give you stink-eye when you don't tip.

[justwaiting]

OZ, dont say here's a tip, hand them money for a a beer
Once had some one refuse a tip becuase he was a PITA and i had offered to tip him over the side

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by rtbates

IF you were doing the job would you want to be tipped???

If I was doing the job I would be doing it for a wage so no, I would not expect to be tipped.

Of course you would

If I was doing it out of the goodness of my heart I would also not expect to be tipped and would knock the money back as has often been the case here when it has been offered.

... I tip.. I don't care what others do..

So why comment?

Want a tip?
Be nice to your mother.

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

This US reward system has spilled over into SE Asia. At first they could not figure out why we wanted to give them more money than requested. Now, they give you stink-eye when you don't tip.

Exactly right
US yachties pay money to drop anchor, visit village, land a dinghy and now in many parts it is damn near expected and not just in SEA.

US travellers overpay for many things, now travellers are looked upon as a walking ATM's (tin teller, cash machine).

Thank you USA.

[Kettlewell]

IMHO the owners of the marina should pay the staff a decent enough wage so that tips are not expected or needed. At my income level I know that a fair number of the folks at the marina probably make more than I do. Of course I rarely go to marinas because of that!

[bobconnie]

If someone go's out of there way to help me at a fuel dock, pump out, ect I may tip but my experince has been mostly the biggest help I get, if Im lucky is help with the lines if some one's around ! I can't belive what Im reading about folks giveing money to land a dingy at a south Pacific Island !! I worked and cruised the pretty much the whole south pacific and never had to pay anything !! I always gave presents to the folks on the islands I visited, to the kids used fins and face plates, adults clothing a little beer, never paid for things except some food never for fish !! I guess rich folks have ruined it for us poor folks !! O well im retired and only tip for better that average service !! Just my 2 cents Bob and Connie

[wolfenzee]

I have worked in marinas, people like "dock boys" and people that do other "grunt work" are probably being paid as little as the maria can get away with, if they so a good job and you slip them something extra chances are they might do something extra for you some other time. The "specialists" will usually try and stick you for everything they can...but if they do something nice, try and show your gratitude...one other thing, sailors have a reputation of being bad tippers. Tip="gratuity" a way of showing gratitude for a job well done and/or doing something extra. I never tip by % always based on the job.

[Celestialsailor]

I always thought "Thank you, good job" was gratuity enough. At least it was when I worked my @@s off for nothing putting myself through school. I guess tipping was unheard of when I was starting out. It would have made me feel like a beggar that couldn't make my own way. Of course today, everyone seems to feel entitled..