Gas Money

**wskiboy** · 10-13-2012, 03:40 PM

Just tell them it is 10 for one set , 20 for two ,after all its not a sail boat .Sound to me you need to find nicer people to ski with .No more hints just ask

**DanielC** · 10-13-2012, 04:01 PM

I am going to assume most of the people riding with you are also guys, or your wife would be expressing other issues.

Ask your wife about this, but guys do not take hints. You have to tell them, bluntly.

Lets see, you bought a boat, and are making payments. And buying insurance, paying for maintenance, spending your own time taking care of the boat, and cleaning it too. It would not surprise me if they are using your ropes, and boards, and life jackets. You chose a vehicle that does not get good gas mileage on the road, so you could tow a boat.

"keep my mouth shut and be thankful I have people that will go out?"
No. They should be grovelling at your feet.
If they filled the tank on the boat every time they went out in it, filled the tank on the tow vehicle, and bought you and your wife dinner after each time they went in your boat, it would still be less than a monthly boat payment.

**AirTool** · 10-13-2012, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by wskiboy View Post

Just tell them it is 10 for one set , 20 for two ,after all its not a sail boat .Sound to me you need to find nicer people to ski with .No more hints just ask

A buddy I used to fish with would always ask near the end of the trip: when we get back to the dock, you guys want to watch me pump the gas to see the exact amount? Or is an estimate now good enough for you?

He also said that when he took out a regular group, they had a rotation for re-fueling if they burned the usual amount. That might fit your group. You might also considering showing up with an empty tank and splitting the bill dockside. The dollar extra per gallon will get their attention.

**scottb7** · 10-13-2012, 04:41 PM

Yes, while i always do feel a bit funny about taking the money...I ask for it, and I also landed on 10 per set is the right amount, especially if they borrow equipment...Maybe 5 per set if they don't but, wakeboard bindings tear up all the time...If I was filthy rich I would not care, but taking the money FOR ME is the only way I can feel good about having people out week after week. Yes, it is nice have people to go all the time with me, but if I did not take the money unfortunately I would quickly feel taken advantage of...

**Nordicron** · 10-13-2012, 04:51 PM

Dang I'd find new people to go out with! Ideally its great to make friends with other boat owners so you don't always have to use your boat. I know even though I own my own boat it's great going out on others boats where all I have to worry about is showing up at the dock and riding. Most of the time I don't take money from other owners and they dont take from me because we just rotate.
As for the guys that never pitch in that's just crazy, they have to know that gas costs close to $4 gal and your boat drinks the stuff when boarding.

**AirTool** · 10-13-2012, 06:14 PM

I want to add more.

I have a policy of NOT accepting gas money from guests. (keep reading) We invite people for a reason and it cost me whether they come along or not. Almost EVERY guest (or parent of) has offered money. Very few guests didn't offer on their first trip.

But I also tell them if they start calling me for pulls or showing up un-invited....to bring cash. Bottom line...regulars need to pay.

**bsb4fsu** · 10-13-2012, 08:06 PM

This is the same conversation I have with my wife every few months. I agree that guests (or passengers) are not expected to pay for gas. But if you are riding behind the boat, you should be paying for your share of the gas.

**gride** · 10-13-2012, 08:16 PM

My eth free fuel costs 4.20 a gallon. Everyone who rises with me pays me $20. And I tell them you can ride for 1 minute or 60. Your call. $ doesn't change. If ur a virgin behind my boat then you ride for free that time only. It's fair IMO considering I load and unload the boat, trailer it 60m round trip, am the only one who maintains it as far as cleaning and batteries, etc. if you don't want to pay don't come or sit your butt down and help keep the wake clean. Oh, and I pull everyone, pay the launch fee, along with every other fn thing as well.

**gride** · 10-13-2012, 08:24 PM

Teach ur wife to drive and don't worry about it.

**TRIP** · 10-13-2012, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by swankster View Post

should I say something to the others or keep my mouth shut and be thankful I have people that will go out? I do drop hints from time to time about how much I'm spending, but they don't pick up on it.

If they ride, they (should) pay. They're retarded if they don't pick up on the hints. Even without hints it quite obvious you're spending a fortune on boating. It happened to me once or twice that people left without paying or offering to pay. They'll never come on my boat again. You should not be the one who's thankful! It shouldn;t be too hard to find people that would like to go out? Otherwise check wakeworld and wakeboarder, they have their "find or offer a pull" sections.

**SkiTower** · 10-14-2012, 09:40 AM

Originally posted by AirTool View Post

I want to add more.

I have a policy of NOT accepting gas money from guests. (keep reading) We invite people for a reason and it cost me whether they come along or not. Almost EVERY guest (or parent of) has offered money. Very few guests didn't offer on their first trip.

But I also tell them if they start calling me for pulls or showing up un-invited....to bring cash. Bottom line...regulars need to pay.

kind of my policy too. I don't have a regular crew but it's either my immediate family (my bill anyway) or guys that have a boat for rotating. That being said, I agree with the above posts: if it was a regular thing and always my boat we'd work out a regular contribution plan. Or if somone initiates it (calls me for a pull) unless it was for a church group or something.

**Miljack** · 10-14-2012, 09:56 AM

Agree with AT and ST, we have a group of boat owners and we rotate boats. Nautique guys get called more :-), but like it or not, the guys who own I/O's and try to bum rides, don't get invited regularly. They have chosen how to spend their boat budget/recreation $$$, and those chose poorly!
I don't ask for money if invited guests, guys/people who ask or want to ride on a regular basis get the gas contribution bucket handed to them.
Maybe a good idea to take a small gas can and cut the top off, tape some $10's to to bottom and leave it in plain site in the boat for those "thick" friends!

**northwestwater** · 10-14-2012, 10:27 AM

my wife says the same thing as yours, swankster! the truth hurts i guess. i have been getting ready to order a g23 and my friends are ecstatic. of course, none pay anything and all ride for free. it's the way it's always been and now to change seems next to impossible. i was complaining the other day that the new boat will require premium fuel. one of my friends chimed in that if i was going to whine about it perhaps i couldn't afford it. i ride all-year long and go daily between spring to early fall. i have thoroughly enjoyed wake boarding and enjoy the friends who i have shared the experience with through the years. but, i too get tired of the assumption that because i supposedly can afford it, that it shouldn't or doesn't bother me. i have nothing to offer to the discussion but, my venting...sorry!

**biggator** · 10-14-2012, 10:34 AM

My regular 'crew' all have boats.. nice ones.. so there's never an exchange of money - just boat rotation.

Invited guests occasionally offer.. and if they're forceful, I'll take it.. but not usually.

If someone asks to come out, they probably know to offer and do.

Gas Money

Gas Money

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