A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

[merlin696]

With gas prices going up along with everything else do when you hit the lake with friends as the owner do you pay for Gas, Food, Etc.?

Whats the responsibility as the boat owner?

What about towels? Bring your own? or have spares for those who forget?

Seems like everyone wants to hit the lake and have fun but the expectation is that you will have everything ready for their day of fun in the sun? Anyone else feel the same way?

 

[robert graham]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

Yep, as the boat owner, everything is supplied by you unless otherwise arranged. Or you can ask for some help with expenses and everybody calls you cheap. Just my experience...

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

With gas prices going up along with everything else do when you hit the lake with friends as the owner do you pay for Gas, Food, Etc.?

Whats the responsibility as the boat owner?
Usually I pay for gas if they bring the food, beer, drinks etc.

What about towels? Bring your own? or have spares for those who forget?
Everyone brings their own towels and if they have kids, they are responsible for purchasing and providing a life jacket for them.

Seems like everyone wants to hit the lake and have fun but the expectation is that you will have everything ready for their day of fun in the sun? Anyone else feel the same way?
Yes....what's fair is fair....if they want to come out on my boat, I expect them to help foot the bill for the day.

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

Everybody gets to decide how they handle it themselves, but I prefer to provide (and pay for) everything. Bring yourself and your clothing & swim suit. That's it. I pay gas, food, beverage, gas, etc. Bringing a cooler is fine, of course, but people get a little carried away sometimes with messy or duplicate stuff. Oh, and I keep towels on board that match the boat (sort of weird, but I think it's cool).

Friends usually reciprocate some other way -- they take us to dinner, we spend a weekend at their ski house, whatever.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

If you have friends who let you pay for everything you need to find new friends. If I invite people to go out the price of fuel is never mentioned. It's my boat and I invited you. All of the incidentals will get worked out in advance. Usually my friends will give me money for fuel at the end of the excursion, as I do when I'm on their boat.

 

[jasperboy]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

Agree with the thoughts of others. Boat is gassed and ready before anyone arrives. We have PFD's and towels along with food and drinks available for all. If you are a guest and ask "what can I bring?" and at the end of the day offer to help "fill it back up" you are invited back. If not, hope you had a good time, you have moved to the bottom of the "invite back" list.

 

[gtochris]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

I pay for gas, I have generous friends otherwise so I'm not going to ask for a few bucks in gas when I invited them.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

It usually depends on who's coming along. When I boat with friends it's usually fishing so I don't worry about boat gas as we don't use much, but if it's a long drive we split gas money or alternate tow vehicles. When it's with family at the cabin it's usually tubing and skiing and nobody seems to care that I burn $60 in gas. My friends usually buy the beverage as courtesy for using my boat all the time. My family usually drinks my beer.

 

[cribber]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

I'll provide the fuel and any required safety equipment such as life vests. Food, drinks, towels, etc... are all on my guests to bring. I keep a stack of pool towels in the garage so if they do forget towels I've some to go around.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

I'd just be happy to have anyone want to come on a boating adventure with me. I'm envious of those of you that seem to have people banging down the door to come along.

 

[FAC]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

I do it both ways. If I invite someone I will pay for everything, but if someone asks to go out I will ask for help with gas and food and stuff. I am the only one in my circle of friends with a boat, so it is kind of difficult to use a pay it forward type of system as some of you do.

 

[emoney]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

I try to not have any friends that way there's no problem!!!
Actually, most of the folks I know and hang out with already have their own boats, but for the few that I know that don't, then I buy the fuel, tell them to bring their own towels/life jackets/drinks/food. Most of them have no idea how much it costs to operate a boat.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

Lotsa variables.... Do the guests wear bikinis or swim trunks ? Bikini wearers get fully comp. [as long a there female] LOL Beer bellies and swim trunks- BYOB and food........ Also depends on the degree of reciprocation you may have experienced previously. I have some friends that are cheap. Always on the take. Kids are brats. I'm not paying their way for everything. I have generous friends, Its on me. It all works out in the long run.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

I pay for GAS always. Bring your own food and drinks bring enough for the Boat owner. Bring your own towels and I have enough Life Jackets for everyone.

 

[Splat]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

These threads always amaze me. I'm a young guy 27 years old and most of my friends are in that same age group. I've never had a problem. Whether its going out on my boat or going down to my camper for the weekend things always get worked out and evenly split amongst all involved.

They understand the money I have invested in either the boat or the camper already and they understand there are operating costs involved. I never ask for a dime nor expect it but somehow I always end up with a full gas tank, stocked fridge, and a hand cleaning either after a weekend of partying. None of us are rich, but we do ok for being in our late 20's.

If they didn't help out we prolly wouldn't party as much, but I surely wouldn't tell them no either. I always thought the way we operate was common courtesy and just being friends.

If this isn't your normal op maybe its time for new friends?

Bill

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

+1 you are a good guest you come back.....if not.....might be awhile before you hear from me again

Agree with the thoughts of others. Boat is gassed and ready before anyone arrives. We have PFD's and towels along with food and drinks available for all. If you are a guest and ask "what can I bring?" and at the end of the day offer to help "fill it back up" you are invited back. If not, hope you had a good time, you have moved to the bottom of the "invite back" list.

 

[drrpm]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

Most of my guests are my kids friends so I'll provide everything but the towel. There are usually some spare towels anyway.

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

The difference between a FRIEND and a GUEST.......

These threads always amaze me. I'm a young guy 27 years old and most of my friends are in that same age group. I've never had a problem. Whether its going out on my boat or going down to my camper for the weekend things always get worked out and evenly split amongst all involved.

They understand the money I have invested in either the boat or the camper already and they understand there are operating costs involved. I never ask for a dime nor expect it but somehow I always end up with a full gas tank, stocked fridge, and a hand cleaning either after a weekend of partying. None of us are rich, but we do ok for being in our late 20's.

If they didn't help out we prolly wouldn't party as much, but I surely wouldn't tell them no either. I always thought the way we operate was common courtesy and just being friends.

If this isn't your normal op maybe its time for new friends?

Bill

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

I think Bill (splat) has it right. it all works out in the end. whether it's on a boat or other activities, if someone is a troll, he ends up getting left out.

I feel like since I'm going out anyway, what difference does it make. But I'm not doing the all-day tubing trip like a lot of you all are.

Some non-boaters who don't offer to help out don't appreciate what it takes to own and run a boat. First time, fine. But after a while, if you feel like you're unappreciated or being taken for granted, put them on the troll list. Many of the ones who do nothing would be glad to help, if you asked.

I like some help, not by cash, but by being ready, bringing some food/bev, tackle, bait, ice. I always appreciate an offer to help out. When I go with someone I always look for opportunities to help that way, too. I am blessed that my friends and I generally aren't struggling financially to go out in the first place, so we seldom mention gas. Also, it's a different scene than the "day at the lake" trip.

As a teenager we always bought gas for others. A non-boater could just sit on the gas dock; a guy with a boat would come by, you buy some gas, he takes you skiing. Worked out great. My dad supplied us with a boat; my sisters and I would gas it and work on it (except she could always get boys to do it for her--so it goes). Now, my daughters are not heavy boat users so I don't mind supplying the gas.

 

[security6]

Re: A Day at the Lake, Do you Foot the Bill?

I agree, it works out in the end. Moochers end up being left out of other stuff. In fact, we have some moochers that we stopped inviting out but we still see them at other activites. Come to find out that some other friends were getting annoyed with the moochers as well because they are always asking for something.

I never ask for money or for people to bring things, but will accept either one. For me, it isn't so much the money as it is the reciprocation and/or the gratitude. We have some friends that we have out on a regular basis, and we'll provide food and gas. Sometimes they'll leave us a $20, and sometimes they don't because they are strapped for cash. However, they always give us a thank-you card and buy us a treat, like a pack of licorice, for the boat. Their gratitude goes a long way, and they are always near the top of the invite list.