$ charged per ride

[talltigeguy]

High gas prices mean less boats on the lake, which means we can power turn more often.

Nobody, you seem to contribute less to this forum than anyone here. If you were gone, the board would be a better place

[NICKYPOO]

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

I can say this jokingly because the people that go out with us always contribute at least a 20 spot for gas. We also have an unwritten rule amongst all of us for any social gathering of "Bring what yer drinkin." That has been going on so long that it is basically just a law and nobody even asks anymore. Of coarse, the people I hang out with are all the same people I've hung out with since 4th grade. Either that or family. We've all been boating for so long that gas money never comes up anymore, it just comes out of their pockets and into mine (i.e. wife's pocket).

When we go to Tahoe on my buddy's Tige, it's a little different. We generally just buy them lunch. Be it a sit down lunch at Jake's or Sunnyside or sandwiches at Obexer's, we contribute just out of respect. They certainly don't need the help money wise and would gladly foot the bill for the entire day every time out but, respect is respect, regardless of owner income.

[Nobody]

Nobody, you seem to contribute less to this forum than anyone here. If you were gone, the board would be a better place

OK...just for you I will stay.

[SummerObsession]

The OP asked "how much" to charge for pulling people behind his RZ4. It seems most people have no idea what to charge because they don't charge.
I compare boating to any other leisure activity be it riding motorcycles (how much would I charge for a ride?), ball games at college (charge for tickets when I invite you?), even flying to special events.
Again, if I invite someone on my boat, I expect nothing. And, honestly unless you are a struggling pro wakeboarder, then why would someone be on you boat that you did not invite?

I select the people I invite back the quickest by the following:
1. Do they respect the boat?
2. Do they help clean?
3. Are they helpful to everyone in the boat?
4. Did they contribute in some way to my experience on the water (maybe they are just funnier than crap!)
5. Do they bring something for everyone.
6. If they offered to pay (I don't accept money for boat time)

These are just my own personal views and while everyone had a different situation, I can't see a scenario in which I would charge to share in MY hobby.

Besides, these boats are cheap. My old go-fasts cost twice as much, had two engines, and burned approximately $3-400 per day in fuel alone!!!!
See what a bargain wake boating really is!!! Kidding of course!

[Nobody]

The OP asked "how much" to charge for pulling people behind his RZ4. It seems most people have no idea what to charge because they don't charge.
I compare boating to any other leisure activity be it riding motorcycles (how much would I charge for a ride?), ball games at college (charge for tickets when I invite you?), even flying to special events.
Again, if I invite someone on my boat, I expect nothing. And, honestly unless you are a struggling pro wakeboarder, then why would someone be on you boat that you did not invite?

I select the people I invite back the quickest by the following:
1. Do they respect the boat?
2. Do they help clean?
3. Are they helpful to everyone in the boat?
4. Did they contribute in some way to my experience on the water (maybe they are just funnier than crap!)
5. Do they bring something for everyone.
6. If they offered to pay (I don't accept money for boat time)

These are just my own personal views and while everyone had a different situation, I can't see a scenario in which I would charge to share in MY hobby.

Besides, these boats are cheap. My old go-fasts cost twice as much, had two engines, and burned approximately $3-400 per day in fuel alone!!!!
See what a bargain wake boating really is!!! Kidding of course!

7. What size are her breasts and her waist line?

[scoot18]

Dealing with my sons teenage friends and others this is what I came up with. I actually got this from this forum. It has been made into a placard and placed in the walkthru at the helm. So far it gets the point across to whomever is on board and I don't have to ask that uncomfortable question.

[Bakes5]

I never ask. Those who go out frequently understand pretty quick that it costs a lot to operate and then freely chip in. Usually, not nearly enough to cover their expenses; however, I would not be hitting the lake 3-4 mornings every week before work in the summer without them. A good way to get people to chip in is to have them in the car when you fill it up. When you have to insert the credit card a couple of times because it pump only does $100 at a time, they get the picture pretty quickly. Another good way to bring it up is to talk about how you "wonder how your brother can afford to run his boat when it burns 10 gallons per hour."

Anyways, I always decline money from first timers or folks who go once or twice a summer. My boat is cheap, I do all my own work and it ends up costing on average about $50 per hour of run time. Worth every penny.

Later

Bakes

[IDBoating]

it ends up costing on average about $50 per hour of run time. Worth every penny.

Still cheaper per hour than a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft - and the boat holds more friends, too!

[SummerObsession]

7. What size are her breasts and her waist line?

That one went without saying, but I'm glad you brought it up!!

[samw]

I have never asked for money or food. Like others have said, when you ask people over for dinner you wouldn't ask for them to pay for what your preparing. That said I never turn down money, food or BEER! I would say 95% of the people I have asked to come boating always ask what they can bring. I always say nothing! They always bring something, or the ones that don't always request sometime to head to the marina for a few drinks or snacks. At that point they have all insisted to pay for what every I wanted. It usually works out in the end. We have have a tendency to weed out the the leaches Just my 2 cents.

[wakeatx]

This is a very helpful topic for me.

I never have asked for money from guests but I'm always secretly pissed when they don't offer. I've gained a lot of perspective reading this and realize now that's not fair. If I want them to chip in I should ask. Otherwise don't expect em to read my mind. Man what am I my wife???

So I'm thinking in the future I won't expect anything unless I tell people first.

Probably if the guys go out for early morning ride in the week I'll tell everyone to pitch in $10 bucks (nominal). When we invite other families I won't expect them to chip in (but I won't turn down an unsolicited offer either).

Thanks guys for the insight.

[wallacmc]

Probably if the guys go out for early morning ride in the week I'll tell everyone to pitch in $10 bucks (nominal). When we invite other families I won't expect them to chip in (but I won't turn down an unsolicited offer either).

Thanks guys for the insight.

Being up front like this is good, but I guess where I'm coming from in this whole thing is, what is $10 bucks worth? Like you said, it's nominal, or in other words insignificant. In my opinion, why not just rotate fill ups if you have some dudes that go out regularly in the mornings?, one fill up per year or something like that.

As for others, especially on a day trip, I've always thought the good will gained with guests is more valuable and pays larger dividends later than money for gas.

[wakeatx]

It's not that $10 bucks covers my expenses but I prefer not to have freeloaders for my AM trips. It's an attitude thing. The ones that aren't willing to pitch in even 10 bucks are going to be the ones with their shoes on my seats and cheetos in my floor. I'd rather weed them out up front.

Maybe I should separate the 2 and just set the rules for treating my ride from the get go.

I'm with ya on the family trips. Fun with friends is what it's all about. Still I've noticed the ones that are respectful of the boat are always the ones who offer to pitch in. The ones abusing the boat never offer to pitch in.

[Dave S]

We keep our boat in a storage garage at the ramp. We pull the boat out load the coolers, snacks, boards, etc, all the while I am syphoning 15 gallons of gas from 3 - 5 gallon tanks that I pull from my truck bed. I always provide all the water, gatorade & beer. I just hate 5 people going bringing 5 coolers-run out of room quick. I have 2 big coolers for all. I buy all gas, beer, water and gatorade. When they ask wht they can do, if they still didn't get the hit with the 3 gas tanks, I always say "A few bucks for gas". If they pitch in fine, if they do not fine to. The ones who do pitch in are the ones who are more respectful, help wipe the boat down after riding etc. (and get invited back) but first time is always free. Of course I only expect gas money from board riders, passengers are just more ballast and we will take em regardless.

One of the best peacefull days on our boat last summer was just my wife and I in a river in the middle of nowhere, she rode and drove and swapped, we both get tons riding in, relaxed and had a great time. I don't think we would do that all the time but it was a nice break from taking all the people all the time.