Christmas Tip

[a_nyc_scott]

Hi All,

This is my first year with my ranger tug and I thought I would reach out to others to see if they tip the marina folks at Christmas time? I'm in NY and therefore my tug gets pulled out of the water sometime in early November. As I'm writing out my Christmas list of who to tip I wondered about the person who owns/runs the marina where I keep my boat. Should I send them a Christmas card/tip? Is this common (like it is to tip doormen in NYC)? If so what is the amount of such a tip?

As always, thanks for any/all guidance.

Scott

 

[Phil Nersessian]

As a first year boat owner myself. I was wondering the same thing.

 

[Champ]

I don't tip owners. Only employees who do a nice job.

 

[JamesTXSD]

I agree about not tipping owners, but you could buy a nice treat basket that all the employees could enjoy in their break room. Be sure to put your boat name on it, so they remember whose boat to give extra care in the upcoming year. 😉

 

[a_nyc_scott]

I'm not sure I agree with the "don't tip an owner" policy. For many small businesses' the owner is the employee as well. I know for the marina I use the owner is also the one who handles the lines (when I need a hand), keeps the marina clean, empties the trash, greets guests, answers the phone, gives advice on where to get fuel/service, etc.. I wouldn't not tip the newspaper vendor just because he/she owns the news stand.

 

[Scuffy]

My mentors taught me to usually tip pump out guys and dock hands when they assist us arriving at a slip in the marina. I have seen signs at fuel docks that say Tipping is not a city in China! Because fuel prices at most marinas are sky high I don't tip gas or fuel jockeys. As for just tipping people at the marina because it's Christmas I think is a bad idea. The fruit basket or a couple of pizzas for the crew is a good idea. If someone has gone the extra mile for you as an individual I would find out what they drink and get them a case or a bottle. Save your tip money and give it to someone who really needs it. For me that's the Salvation Army.

 

[Sea Jo]

Some older person said you don't tip the bus driver,never forgot that, makes sense tip the workers.

 

[Champ]

I'm not sure I agree with the "don't tip an owner" policy. For many small businesses' the owner is the employee as well. I know for the marina I use the owner is also the one who handles the lines (when I need a hand), keeps the marina clean, empties the trash, greets guests, answers the phone, gives advice on where to get fuel/service, etc.. I wouldn't not tip the newspaper vendor just because he/she owns the news stand.

They are still the owner. Maybe business not profitable enough to hire an employee. Maybe he does not know how to run a business. I always tipped the paper boy who delivered the paper in all kinds of weather. Not tipping a store owner to buy a paper. I tip everyone. Probably over tip. Just not the owner of a business. As a business owner I am insulted when offered a tip!

 

[Spinner]

This might be a regional question....I have never seen anyone tipping at NW marinas, except the nice folks who motor around to pump out boats at Roche Harbor!!

 

[JamesTXSD]

This might be a regional question....I have never seen anyone tipping at NW marinas, except the nice folks who motor around to pump out boats at Roche Harbor!!

The marina dock hands who come out to help with lines at Roche Harbor also make good tips. But, the Fecal Freak (the pump-out boat at Roche) is the coveted job (thanks to the tips). For those who don't know: there is a pump-out station at Roche, just at the outer end of the fuel dock; not that many people use it, preferring the Freak.

 

[Fly-fish]

I belong to a Yacht Club and make sure to throw one to two hundred bucks in the the tip pool, so it is shared with the service employees who do such a great job. They don't make much money yet seem to always do a nice job for us!

 

[Sea Jo]

Remembered the exact quote from the guy you don't pay the bus drivers fair ,just sounded like it would fit on this topic. Instead of tipping owner tip the workers.

 

[Scuffy]

I got pumped out at Roche Harbor by Humpty Dumpty or the Fecal Freak I can't remember and tipped the guy 5 dollars even though he stood on my propane box while he was doing it. I don't know how he did it but he did not scratch the top of it. Maybe Humpty Dumpty is from Friday Harbor. Both of those guys know their stuff and their job stinks..

 

[wincrasher]

Tipping service people when they do things for you is a different matter than an annual, Christmas time type tip/gift.

At the S&B, I'll tip the garbage man and the mail carrier at Christmas time, if I can catch up with them.

I think it's beyond ridiculous to send a "tip" to the guy who you send a rent check every month at the marina. If you think the rent is too low, or he's goin under, then put him on your Christmas list. I've yet to encounter a marina owner who wasn't getting rich!

Always tip the kids at the fuel and pump-out dock as I use them. There's really no need for any other gifting if you ask me, if you've been doing it all year. If you haven't, then go ahead - but I don't think you'll find many hanging around at marinas in the winter - maybe in the PNW it's different than everywhere else in the country.

I don't tip any professionals in the service businesses. Mechanics, technicians and the like. They are pros and their fees reflect that.

 

[Phil Nersessian]

I always tip dock hands at other marinas($10), but don't at my home port as it would be every time I pull in,I tip them $10 for every pump out, I gave them $100 around labor day., I was down the marina last week and gave them another $100 to "Buy the gang a round at the Christmas party". They've always been more than helpful.

 

[a_nyc_scott]

Thank you for all of the guidance/insights! Very helpful!!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season and smooth sailing in 2017!