How much for shared expenses - Poll

[seagypsywoman]

Some of us take crew on board to help during a passage or just to share our love of sailing, cruising and the ocean.

On the other hand, I often encourage people who want to learn to sail or experience the lifestyle before committing to buying a boat themselves to join cruisers that are already out there.

What do you consider is a reasonable amount to expect to contribute for shared expenses voyage?

[ErictheRed]

I am one of those trying to gain experience, particularly offshore, before purchasing my own boat. I consider sharing expenses to be exactly that. That is, the cost of food, fuel, entry fees, dock fees, etc. The expenses incurred as a part of cruising on a per capita basis. However, one could make a good case to say it is the cost of food and drinks on board only since the Captain is going wherever anyway.

[Captain Bill]

I believe that CG regs actually define this. Anything other than an equal division of operating expenses (the owner does not get to count his capital investment) is by definition a charter requiring a license. Of course an owner may have guests on board and not charge them anything. I don't actually know anyone who has been challenged on this, but you can be sure that if anything happens that requires the authorities, an insurance company, or a lawyer to be involved, things could get ugly.

[Charlie]

I pretty much just take the cost of food and divide it by the number of people. I am doing a trip shortly where I will ask the people to pitch in for any Marina costs as well. I usually pay for berthing, fuel and other charges but this is going to be a sail around San Diego bay and I have a berth there so if people want to stay in a Marina then they can help pay the cost. When you divide the cost of a Marina by 4 it isn't too bad. Especially when you have a job.

[porttack]

It seems to me, this would be a fairly negotiable figure. When people are standing in line to crew on a boat voyage through the Bahamas, then they might be expected to pay for every last item of operation costs including dock fees, entry fees and even pro-rated insurance. However, when a skipper is the one in need because of a tight schedule, an undesirable passage or special skill requirements, he/she might have to come up with the total food costs and maybe a little cash for that certain crew member. Another words, whatever the market will bare.

[Robertcateran]

I would pay a proportion of the maintenance costs as well as the immediate costs if I had the cash. If I didn't have the cash, I would at least pay for the food and try to do much of the **** work on the boat as well as the maintenance to help pay my way.

[nautical62]

I think this really will vary depending on the circumstances.

Taking on experienced crew because I need the help managing the boat while passagemaking is very different from having inexperienced friends join me on a sailing vacation on a boat I have in charter management while teaching them all I'd be teaching in an ASA sailing course.

I think what is always crossing the line is trying to make a profit off of crew, but I think anything less, is very dependant on the circumstances.