$ charged per ride

[joaquin12345]

I keep reading on different forums about how everyone is starting to freak out on gas prices going up to $4 range. Anyways I bought my RZ4 last year late in the year and didnt go out much but was basically getting about $20-$30 a rider and usually 2-4 people came along when it wasnt family. Anyways just wondering what other people charge there tag alongs and if usually you actually have to ask or your friends/riders just pitch in. I have 2 riders that I never had to ask and they basically handed me over some cash. Anyways real annoyed with the ones that you have to ask but curious as to how you others go about this subject. I work in a large ER Trauma 1 center and am new here but this season i can already tell i will be making alot of trips with more people, just hate the trial and error. Usually its almost like i let people burn me then never again but would be nice to just not get burned at all. Anyways just interested in what you tige people tell others when you wanna go to the lake. In pasted experiences with my Seadoo Boat i found that even paying for everything sometimes people still chickened out. Something about west texas and eastern new mexico. Now im in another city with 1 small lake 10min away and a larger one 45min away with a ton more people. Anyways just a thought

[robert theisen]

You are in a different situation than i am. I keep my boat at the lake.Most people that have or have been around boats offer you gas or money right off the bat.Others that think it's a free vacation,and don't even bring food or drinks.You need to set expectations up front.Using current gas prices i would expect 40 to 50 would be fair.What you have to take into consideration is distance to nearest cable park.If there is a cable park nearby i would stay closer to 40. A day on a boat is much better experience than a day at a the cable park.These estimates are based on 1 hour of riding time and your friend sharing the expense of transporting the boat to and from the lake 45 minutes away.Only you can decide what you want to charge.We all know it will be expensive to operate a boat this year.

[Kimber]

Some people get it, others have to be told - that is my experience. Some will immediately offer up gas help, for others it has to be pryed out of them. I don't understand it. Guess some people are only aware of themselves and not what the boat owner has to go through to make the trip. Some of those people can be asked once and then remember each time, some have to be asked every time. I usually tell them how much it costs to fill up the boat, then let them decide how much to give me. Rarely have I said - you owe XX for gas money - just my way of doing it.

[tnvolgrad]

Well you can't fix stupid - choose your friends and riders carefully. There is lots of discussion on this topic, but I look at from an operating perspective:

- 5 gallons per hour average at $4/gallon * 3 hours actual engine run time on a typical day (yours may be more or less) = $60 in fuel
-Fuel to get to the lake 40 miles round trip - 12 mpg = $12 in fuel
- Maintenance, Insurance, Storage, Other Annually - $1500/80 hours per year use = $18.75 per hour *3 hours = $56.25
- You could get really technical and include the depreciation value or cost of ownership of the boat (e.g. paid $50K plan to sell in 5 years for $30K - $20K depreciation hit and 300 hours of use during that time = $66/per hour


Daily Operating Cost = Roughly $125 /4 riders average = $30 bucks a piece

Daily Operating Cost + Depreciation = About $110/Hour (depends on how you value your boat - just an estimate)

[wallacmc]

I have developed a different philosophy on this matter. When my wife and I bought our boat, we knew it was going to be a long-term investment in our family and carefully calculted the monetary price we were willing to pay. As we spent all last summer on the water, we learned how much more fun it is to have guests on the boat than just us. Some of those guests pitched in money for gas and some didn't. Most pitched in for food in some way. However, this has never been something we required or asked for, because our boating experience was better with them there than it would have been if they weren't. My favorite type of guest (not my wife's though) is the kind that hasn't experienced boating before, because it gives me the pleasure of introducing them to a totally new experience. Especially for this type of guest, there isn't much awareness of the cost to operate the boat, and they many times do not think of pitching in unless they are there at the mearina when you fill up and see the pump. For others that are experienced boaters, they'll usually offer to fill it up that day or top it off on the way out. As for my in-laws, who are with us all the time on the boat, we talked about it up front and decided to alternate fill-ups during the extended times or long weekends we spend at the lake. The way we see it, we bought the boat to use it and enjoy it. If someone that comes along and offers money for gas, that is just gravy. If they want to buy us dinner, so be it. If not, not a big deal. I've found that if you hang with the right people, paying forward yeilds dividends in the future, whether it be with favors or other unique experiences. You know how it goes: the more backs you scratch, the more willing to help when you needs yours scratched. Occasionally, when someone needs to unload some Bengals or Reds tickets or has a condo available for a weekend, they know who to call. I understand that other people buy boats for other reasons or in other situations. This is just how we look at things. I don't mean any offense to others that look at it differently, but I figured a thought in counterpoint might be helpful.

[bfrank]

Ive never charged anyone to ride, most of the people we ski with all have boats so we take turns pulling.

[Iwndr]

I have developed a different philosophy on this matter. When my wife and I bought our boat, we knew it was going to be a long-term investment in our family and carefully calculted the monetary price we were willing to pay. As we spent all last summer on the water, we learned how much more fun it is to have guests on the boat than just us. Some of those guests pitched in money for gas and some didn't. Most pitched in for food in some way. However, this has never been something we required or asked for, because our boating experience was better with them there than it would have been if they weren't. My favorite type of guest (not my wife's though) is the kind that hasn't experienced boating before, because it gives me the pleasure of introducing them to a totally new experience. Especially for this type of guest, there isn't much awareness of the cost to operate the boat, and they many times do not think of pitching in unless they are there at the mearina when you fill up and see the pump. For others that are experienced boaters, they'll usually offer to fill it up that day or top it off on the way out. As for my in-laws, who are with us all the time on the boat, we talked about it up front and decided to alternate fill-ups during the extended times or long weekends we spend at the lake. The way we see it, we bought the boat to use it and enjoy it. If someone that comes along and offers money for gas, that is just gravy. If they want to buy us dinner, so be it. If not, not a big deal. I've found that if you hang with the right people, paying forward yeilds dividends in the future, whether it be with favors or other unique experiences. You know how it goes: the more backs you scratch, the more willing to help when you needs yours scratched. Occasionally, when someone needs to unload some Bengals or Reds tickets or has a condo available for a weekend, they know who to call. I understand that other people buy boats for other reasons or in other situations. This is just how we look at things. I don't mean any offense to others that look at it differently, but I figured a thought in counterpoint might be helpful.

Well Put,
I have never charged or expect anything in return for days on the lake. I invite the folks to come boat with us the same if we Invited someone over to Dinner, and I do not expect payment for that either. The way I look at it is we are going to be out on the lake whether I have guests or not and when we do have guests on the boat it is enjoyable for us as well as them.
Though I would never turn down pro football and baseball tickets either.

[Nobody]

Well you can't fix stupid - choose your friends and riders carefully. There is lots of discussion on this topic, but I look at from an operating perspective:

- 5 gallons per hour average at $4/gallon * 3 hours actual engine run time on a typical day (yours may be more or less) = $60 in fuel
-Fuel to get to the lake 40 miles round trip - 12 mpg = $12 in fuel
- Maintenance, Insurance, Storage, Other Annually - $1500/80 hours per year use = $18.75 per hour *3 hours = $56.25
- You could get really technical and include the depreciation value or cost of ownership of the boat (e.g. paid $50K plan to sell in 5 years for $30K - $20K depreciation hit and 300 hours of use during that time = $66/per hour


Daily Operating Cost = Roughly $125 /4 riders average = $30 bucks a piece

Daily Operating Cost + Depreciation = About $110/Hour (depends on how you value your boat - just an estimate)

More like 8 hours of actual run time when we go out. Pay price of boat is too low, add another $20K. Depreciation is accurate.

[robert theisen]

I too don't expect to be paid,especially a first time guest.But i'm sure everyone's situation is not the same.I don't turn down help for gas,as that is most peoples way of saying thanks.I usually just accept a portion of what they offer.The OP didn't ask weather or not to charge.The question was HOW MUCH to charge.Now before i get blasted let me say i know all the member of TO are great people.We are not all in the same boat.Thats why Tige makes different models.This question could also be asked on Wakeworld with the same type of response.We all share a common bond boating.Hope i didn't ruffle any feathers.Just trying to get the OP the responses they were asking for.PEACE!

[skippabcool]

I hope were not all in the same boat it might sink, either that or have a great surf wake

[chpthril]

My If you have a group of buds that want to hit the water once or twice a week for some quality ride time, then yes, its only fair that they share. This can be done by either chipping in for gas, etc or trading out boats with others that own one.

If you are inviting guests to come out with you to enjoy the day on the water, how can you expect them to chip in. Kinda like inviting your neighbors over for a cook out and then when they get there, tell them the steaks are $x p/lb and the grill burns so much propane an hour.

During the summer, our boat was hitting the on water Fri, Sat and Sun, regardelss whether it was just the wife and I or 10 freinds. So the gas was gettin burned

[talltigeguy]

If you are inviting guests to come out with you to enjoy the day on the water, how can you expect them to chip in. Kinda like inviting your neighbors over for a cook out and then when they get there, tell them the steaks are $x p/lb and the grill burns so much propane an hour.

Shared fun is double the fun in my book.

If I invite someone, then I expect to foot the bill. If I wanted to get paid, I would say it in the invite 'Do you want to put together some sandwiches and drinks (or chip in XX$ for gas) and we will head to the lake tomorrow?' Many days, I am happy to take people for free, because if they did not come, I wouldn't be able to go either.

There is no shame in doing things either way.

To directly answer the original poster's question: Most buddies are not going to be able to even come close to what the true operating cost of the boat is. There is a reason that even jet skis rent for $125 per hour in most places. Ask your buddies for that much, and you will be alone on the lake. It is up to you to decide how much loss you are willing to take. $20 per pull seems pretty reasonable for something this much fun.

[IDBoating]

I keep it really informal, because I don't want to spoil the fun atmosphere of the day. I find that most people ask "What can I bring?" when they are invited. I used to say "Nothing, don't worry about it."

Now I say "I never turn down gas money." And I say it with a smile.

Some folks arrive and offer some cash. Some don't. I don't press. Boats and lakes are memory-creating machines and it's worth it to me to have our friends along even if they can't/don't/won't contribute.

[NICKYPOO]

Gas, grass or azz, no one rides for free.

[yllw20]

I have never had the expectation of having to be paid to be on my boat.
I set the rules to respect the boat no shoes on the seats and wipe up if you spill. Most of my friends would offer to bring food or drinks or pitch in for gas, no amount to big or small, but never expected x dollars to go out for a day.
Ususally when I had the boat and was single it was never brought up to a lady on paying and usually asked what she wanted to drink ahead of time. Don't be the guy who rolls into party cove with a bunch of dudes and not chic's tried to keep a 50/50 ratio there.
I also had other friends with boats and we would take turns on who's boat we went out on.
The way I looked at it was I was on the lake and having fun either way if they paid or not. If someone was a complete a$$ then they wouldnt be asked back out.

If you are posting up on a forum for find a pull most people on that forum are aware and will pitch in someway.