Boating and chipping in for gas
 

My wife wants me to take her friends husband fishing. I’ve taken him 3-4 times in the past. He stops and buys about $10 in bait. We go out for the day and when we get back he heads to his car.

I generally burn at least $200 if I go offshore. Guides here get $1,500 to $2,000 per day.

I told my wife I’m not taking him anymore, it bothers me that he doesn’t offer to help clean the boat or chip in for gas. He has owned a boat in the past, and he can well afford it. So he should have a idea what it cost and time to clean and flush the boat.

He is a nice enough guy, but except for our wife’s being friends we do nothing together.

My friends always chip in, and my son at least cleans the fish and helps out with the boat and gets bait.

I’m going out this weekend and taking my son, my wife wants me to ask this guy to go along. It doesn’t cost me anymore to take him, but I said no. The wife’s not mad, but she’s not happy either.

Am I being unreasonable expecting something. I’d be happy with $50, i don’t know why it bothers me so much, but it does.

Now I gladly take friends out for a boat ride or load up to go to the sandbar or beach and I don’t want anything for that. But this bothers me.

I had a boat and experienced the same. He should pay for ALL the gas! You pay for the boat and all that goes with it all year. Sometimes I got companions that thought they were doing me a favor paying for 1/2 the gas.

Yeah, no. Go with your buddies and forget about this DB. I’d rather go alone than be with someone who is not grateful.

"Gas, Grass, or...."

He should pay for all the gas (or at least make the offer) imo...

Nobody rides for free :D

It is similar with an airplane. I have some friends that ask for an airplane ride in our airplane. Most have no idea what is cost to fly a Cessna 182.

My business partner is the pilot, and flying is just a job for him now, and he does not fly for fun.

pays for gas.

my friend never asks it of me. if by chance we need fuel, my CC is out and ready. i rarely pay, since we rarely stop for fuel.

so twice a year, i hire a guide at another lake (he doenst tow his boat anywhere) and gift him a trip. he tries to pay, but i tell him to stuff it. :)

No. You've given him opportunities to do the right thing. Time to cut him loose.

He sounds like a real piece of work.....:rolleyes:......I hate chicken chit cheap azzes like that!

I use to own a plane and it was much the same.

BTW...this is much your fault as anyone else's.

Fuel cost should be divied up by all participants. That's sorta the unspoken rule, isn't it? That's how we've always done it (except when I've taken dates out - see KC's post).

The day starts out: "OK guys.....fuel cost came to $90......so that's $30 a piece."

Do it this way and everyone feels they are more a part of the excursion than just some "dead weight" along for the ride.

You're actually doing them a a favor.

Makes sure they pay in cash, too! ;)

Gas and cleanup byche.

Counterpoint. If you invite him, you are the host. He’s not hiring you. Possible he thinks you’d be insulted if he offers money when he was invited as your guest?

This is always an interesting discussion/perspective.

If I get invited to go fishing, and I often do, I pay for 1/2 the gas and pay for all my stuff, buy extra for the boat owner, etc.

But these are my friends...we are in it for the grab-a$$ and friendship, not the fishing...at least I am. I hate to fish.

If I ask them to take a friend or a family member, I pay full freight...their boat, my need.

One of my neighbors has a J-3 Cub and we used to fly once a month or so before he died last year. Unlike fishing, I love to fly. I paid for all the gas, he paid for lunch.

In your case, DM, he can stay on shore.

Feelings.

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Then the 'guest' needs to think some more.

When we used to water ski every Wednesday afternoon in the marina we all helped to wash the salt water off the entire boat (and trailer) while the owner ran clear water through the motor. We all bought all the beer needed as well. As for gas, I don't remember how that was taken care of, but if he wasn't putting it on is daddy's company CC, I sure we all offered up a tenner. Gas was about a buck a gallon when I skied.

Minimum of 3 to ski but we often had 4. 2 hours of taking turns was a work out.

I agree with most here.
He should not have to be told to chip in.
But apparently he does have to be told.
I would tell him before I just ditched him.
Look beach, gas aint free!

Offer to kick in for gas, if they refuse, buy the beer… 🤣. If that doesn’t work, leave $50 in the cup holder of their truck while they aren’t looking!


I don’t know why you need to invite him. You are taking your son out, why bring along some random dude.

I could see bringing him if you wanted to go and she didn’t want you out in the ocean alone, but you have your son, go enjoy the day with him!

He could be totally oblivious to this... Would I expect him to pay ALL the gas, absolutely not. As was mentioned, he is your guest. You're going out anyway.. Should he chip in? Absolutely.. These hobbies cost money.. If he offers and you turn him down, well thats another story.. The idea of mentioning it upfront should work. He'll either say yes or no based on if he wants to pay or not..

If you let YOUR wife know why you're no longer interested in inviting him along, I'd be willing to bet dollars to donuts that it will get back to him via HIS wife.

I think non-boat owning people may not realize how much more gas they burn.

A co-worker used to have a twin outboard Fountain center console and would take some of us out occasionally. One of the guests, my old boss, offered to pick up the tab when they stopped for gas on the way in. Once the pump readout passed $400, he rethought his offer and thought maybe splitting it was a better idea :)