Tipping Marina Dock Hands

[ElizabethG]

Hi All,

This is a question I'm sure we have all had, especially those of us based in the US...

In US based marinas, what do you tip dock hands?

A few scenarios...

Docking?
Departure?
Pump outs?
Fueling?
Local knowledge questions?
What if there are multiple dock hands assisting with, let's say, docking?

I'd like to hear what your thoughts are and your geographical location as I'm sure it varies by location.

I'm also sure it depends on the quality of services rendered, but what is your typical tipping practice.

I'm probably opening a bag of snakes with this, but I'm truly curious...

Thanks,

[russp]

I am just thankful we don't have the complications of living in the US. Tipping? What is that?

[ElizabethG]

You feel my pain....

[cuthbert]

Over the years if I had a dollar for every time I had "tipped" a dock hand with the advice "do not pull my boat by the lifelines or stanchions, use the toe rail" I would probably have 10-20 dollars.

I tipped a guy who dived off the dinghy dock for my cell phone last year. He came up with a few including mine. But for me tipping is for something beyond expected or maybe teenagers helping out at an event, most other things boat related I'm paying handsomely already.

[rickkremel]

The kids working the marinas we visit are hard working people trying to get ahead. Every time someone assists, be it a pump out, fueling, catching dock lines, I give them $5. In the big picture, it’s one of the smallest boating expenses of the year.
I’m just glad they’re trying to make a buck to get out of their parents basement!

[ElizabethG]

Rick,

That's exactly what I do as well.

Our sailing area is FL, GA, SC and NC.

Bill