Ski buddies

[twiggy]

Ok it seems that everyone of my friends wants to ski behind my Lxi. How do you go about getting them to pitch in on gas. For a couple runs a piece is there a fair price to accept.

[jetskipro550]

Ok it seems that everyone of my friends wants to ski behind my Lxi. How do you go about getting them to pitch in on gas. For a couple runs a piece is there a fair price to accept.

This topic has been covered many times on here. If you do a quick search you will find lots of answers/opinions.

[DONTW8]

Here is one.

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index....c=20023&hl=

[ed obermeier]

My Wednesday evening group has 3 boats in rotation. Anyone else who skis who isn't in the rotation puts in $10 gas money to the boat owner plus helps with wipedown etc, they usually get at least 2 sets, often 3. We're good with that and it's pretty cheap skiing to the non-boat skiers IMO.

Ed

[electricjohn]

I wish I could find some ski buddies. My old ones retired from skiing, and there are no young skiers anymore. Just tubers and boarders.

[lakewaterjunky]

I think there was a post on here that had a pic of a decal that said something like

”This boat doesn’t run on thank you’s”

A statement like that on the dash and/or around the gas cap might make a difference.

After seeing such a subtle reminder, someone might remember to stop by the ATM machine on the way the next time out.

[ed obermeier]

I think there was a post on here that had a pic of a decal that said something like

”This boat doesn’t run on thank you’s”

A statement like that on the dash and/or around the gas cap might make a difference.

After seeing such a subtle reminder, someone might remember to stop by the ATM machine on the way the next time out.

Really not all that subtle IMO. Anyway...

We tell newbies to the group straight up what the deal is. Add a boat to the rotation or contribute to the gas fund. If that doesn't work they're politely uninvited. Really never been an issue. The Wed nite gang are all basically INT League skiers who met at the tournaments and hooked up so we could all get some week night practice. Regular public lake site, portable course, anywhere from 3 to as many as 12 skiers (that's only happened a couple of times, thankfully), everyone is invited. Kinda a drive to get to the site but worth the water. But helping out with the gas money and labor is part of the deal and that's made clear from the get-go.

Electricjohn - Check into the INT if there is one in your state/area, seriously. The people we have vacationed with for years now, and the mjority of the people I ski with, I met at INT tournaments. You wanna find people with similar skiing interests and abilities despite job description, income level, age etc that's a good place to start.

Ed

[MalibuTime]

I think there was a post on here that had a pic of a decal that said something like

”This boat doesn’t run on thank you’s”

A statement like that on the dash and/or around the gas cap might make a difference.

After seeing such a subtle reminder, someone might remember to stop by the ATM machine on the way the next time out.

Really not all that subtle IMO. Anyway...

We tell newbies to the group straight up what the deal is. Add a boat to the rotation or contribute to the gas fund. If that doesn't work they're politely uninvited. Really never been an issue. The Wed nite gang are all basically INT League skiers who met at the tournaments and hooked up so we could all get some week night practice. Regular public lake site, portable course, anywhere from 3 to as many as 12 skiers (that's only happened a couple of times, thankfully), everyone is invited. Kinda a drive to get to the site but worth the water. But helping out with the gas money and labor is part of the deal and that's made clear from the get-go.

Electricjohn - Check into the INT if there is one in your state/area, seriously. The people we have vacationed with for years now, and the mjority of the people I ski with, I met at INT tournaments. You wanna find people with similar skiing interests and abilities despite job description, income level, age etc that's a good place to start.

Ed

Totally agree. Just tell them straight up. Ten bucks, each time per person, and if you find that is a bit more than enough, the one time that you have cash left over from last time is a freebie for everyone.

Edited September 5, 2009 by MalibuTime

[snowrider]

I have only just started dialing in my approach to this subject, and I decided to never ask for gas $$ but if someone wants to donate then I won't refuse. After all, I want to use the boat as much as possible and especially mid-week need a crew to do it. As long as they help out with clean up and we have fun then all is good.

[WakingMeHappy]

Just be straight up with them. Tell them you love taking them out skiing but the price of gas is hitting your checkbook and ask them to kick in a little. If they ask how much is fair just do the math, gallons used verses price divided by the number of people.

[lakewaterjunky]

I think there was a post on here that had a pic of a decal that said something like

”This boat doesn’t run on thank you’s”

A statement like that on the dash and/or around the gas cap might make a difference.

After seeing such a subtle reminder, someone might remember to stop by the ATM machine on the way the next time out.

Really not all that subtle IMO. Anyway...

We tell newbies to the group straight up what the deal is. Add a boat to the rotation or contribute to the gas fund. If that doesn't work they're politely uninvited. Really never been an issue. The Wed nite gang are all basically INT League skiers who met at the tournaments and hooked up so we could all get some week night practice. Regular public lake site, portable course, anywhere from 3 to as many as 12 skiers (that's only happened a couple of times, thankfully), everyone is invited. Kinda a drive to get to the site but worth the water. But helping out with the gas money and labor is part of the deal and that's made clear from the get-go.

Electricjohn - Check into the INT if there is one in your state/area, seriously. The people we have vacationed with for years now, and the mjority of the people I ski with, I met at INT tournaments. You wanna find people with similar skiing interests and abilities despite job description, income level, age etc that's a good place to start.

Ed

Totally agree. Just tell them straight up. Ten bucks, each time per person, and if you find that is a bit more than enough, the one time that you have cash left over from last time is a freebie for everyone.

Of course its not really subtle gang!

Next time a touch of sarcasm or otherwise potentially humorous interjection is about to be thrown into the thread, should a caution sign or some form or an indicating signal go up first?

I was just trying to make conversation, not to cause any static or welcome any condescending/corrective responses…holy smokes.

Maybe this struck a nerve or brought up some bad memories or something? Dag gone guys

Thumbs up to the INT thing ther twiggy, you might find some more considerate ski buddies from that type of setting. My family and I were members last year, but this year in our State, among others, it just fell apart (no events/all canceled)

[martinarcher]

I have only just started dialing in my approach to this subject, and I decided to never ask for gas $$ but if someone wants to donate then I won't refuse. After all, I want to use the boat as much as possible and especially mid-week need a crew to do it. As long as they help out with clean up and we have fun then all is good.

That's exactly my policy. I think it is awesome when poeple pitch in, but the boat was going to the lake anyway. The difference is, it burns a lot more gas to tow a crew than just me and my wife. We go twice a week usually and rarely see any gas money. Our crew is great about helping clean up the boat and all have their job when we get it on the trailer. They are also more than willing to drive and help keep the boat clean and as dry as possible while on the water.

[edwin]

We charge $10/set at our ski club. Most help wipe down the boat afterward, the guy who brings the boat makes a little money on the deal. We never have any b!tching over the money as we all have jobs during the day...the guy who brings the boat has to often get up early, pack the boat and pull it to work, put it away afterward, etc.

My boat got used nearly every outing until July this year. I love nights like tonight when I get to come home and hang up a lifejacket, rope, gloves, and take a shower.

[Lance B. Johnson]

I have a really good group of people that I go out with so I never have to worry. Most overpay. And one (malibu crew member) has a boat that we are trading off on more and more.

But you could stop at a gas station on the way, complain about the cost of filling up a tank

Or if meeting them at the doc, just complain about the cost of filling it up. If your friends can't take that as a hint

[Slalom Frog]

There are 3 different boats among the group that I ski with. I never ask for or accept gas money. With the friends it all works out with the rotation. If someone new comes along once in a while, I'm glad to share my good fortune with them.

[wakechick3]

I have only just started dialing in my approach to this subject, and I decided to never ask for gas $$ but if someone wants to donate then I won't refuse. After all, I want to use the boat as much as possible and especially mid-week need a crew to do it. As long as they help out with clean up and we have fun then all is good.

That's exactly my policy. I think it is awesome when poeple pitch in, but the boat was going to the lake anyway. The difference is, it burns a lot more gas to tow a crew than just me and my wife. We go twice a week usually and rarely see any gas money. Our crew is great about helping clean up the boat and all have their job when we get it on the trailer. They are also more than willing to drive and help keep the boat clean and as dry as possible while on the water.

ditto....(a donation is always appreciated). my crew knows the drill when we come off the water.

It's no more expensive than having your friends over for dinner- and they usually return the graciousness at some time.

[skyskier]

When you figure in depreciation, maintainence, repairs, fuel, taxes, and insurance, the cost to run a late model 23' Wakesetter comes out to about 100.00 per hour. Kicking your host some gas money is the gracious thing to do.

[martinarcher]

I have only just started dialing in my approach to this subject, and I decided to never ask for gas $$ but if someone wants to donate then I won't refuse. After all, I want to use the boat as much as possible and especially mid-week need a crew to do it. As long as they help out with clean up and we have fun then all is good.

That's exactly my policy. I think it is awesome when poeple pitch in, but the boat was going to the lake anyway. The difference is, it burns a lot more gas to tow a crew than just me and my wife. We go twice a week usually and rarely see any gas money. Our crew is great about helping clean up the boat and all have their job when we get it on the trailer. They are also more than willing to drive and help keep the boat clean and as dry as possible while on the water.

ditto....(a donation is always appreciated). my crew knows the drill when we come off the water.

It's no more expensive than having your friends over for dinner- and they usually return the graciousness at some time.

Exactly. I know they'll help me out if I need it. One of the guys in our crew who doesn't pay for gas was the photographer for our wedding. He shot it for free and gave me all the digital photos. They turned out fantastic and we printed them online and saved an absolute ton of money. I think that's worth a few seasons of pulls!

[Baddog]

I don't mind a gas donation, but I really appreciate help on cleaning and especially winterizing. My key crew help with no issue.

[-BS-]

The rule on my boat is: Pay what you can. If you have cash on you, leave some. If not, get me next time or give me a couple pulls in return, whatever works.

I've never had an issue with the regular crew. The usually don't even say anything, they just leave their cash in the glove box. Most of the time I come out even or a little ahead.

As far as what's fair: Last summer I paid attention every time we went out to how many pulls we had and how much gas was burned. Almost every single time it worked out to 2 gallons of gas per pull. This includes the short drive to/from our riding spot and any misc. dock runs, driving around, etc.

I should say that I'm super lucky with my usual riding crew though. Most of them are experienced boaters, a few of them are experienced drivers. The ones that don't have boats even chip in, generously, for services! Cleaning up is never an issue, everybody knows their job, and what to do based on who's there. It makes my life sooooo easy. They are the best!

[spinxt]

I'm from a bit of a different school of thought.....I rarely accept gas money from anyone. Our "core" ski club guys all have Malibus and/or Nautiques, so it kind of all washes out with the boat rotation. As for anyone else, if I ask people to come out with us, the last thing I'm going to do is ask them for gas money. Sometimes I get more enjoyment out teaching people about boating/watersports and love to see the look of joy on the faces of people who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity. The way I see it, I'm going to be out there burning gas anyway, whether or not guests are with me or not.......

[Lance B. Johnson]

The rule on my boat is: Pay what you can. If you have cash on you, leave some. If not, get me next time or give me a couple pulls in return, whatever works.

I've never had an issue with the regular crew. The usually don't even say anything, they just leave their cash in the glove box. Most of the time I come out even or a little ahead.

As far as what's fair: Last summer I paid attention every time we went out to how many pulls we had and how much gas was burned. Almost every single time it worked out to 2 gallons of gas per pull. This includes the short drive to/from our riding spot and any misc. dock runs, driving around, etc.

I should say that I'm super lucky with my usual riding crew though. Most of them are experienced boaters, a few of them are experienced drivers. The ones that don't have boats even chip in, generously, for services! Cleaning up is never an issue, everybody knows their job, and what to do based on who's there. It makes my life sooooo easy. They are the best!

aww shucks almost make me wanna cry whenever I am on your boat things go so smoothly! Whenever on my boat I feel like I have to "ask" nicely for people to help. I know they are all learning but it is nice to have a generous crew. Next season Ill feel comfortable driving your boat and you can add another driver to the list if you need one. Thanks for the pull tonight!

[MalibuNation]

When I invite someone over I don't expect any cash from them.

But with the expense of boat ownership I do expect some help from regulars who don't have a boat.

[Michigan boarder]

When I invite someone over I don't expect any cash from them.

Exactly. When you invite people over for dinner, you don't ask for cash to cover the food/beer, right? It all depends on who is doing the asking; an invite to come over should be without asking for $, but a request from someone to pull them could be met with a request for $.

[Baddog]

The rule on my boat is: Pay what you can. If you have cash on you, leave some. If not, get me next time or give me a couple pulls in return, whatever works.

I've never had an issue with the regular crew. The usually don't even say anything, they just leave their cash in the glove box. Most of the time I come out even or a little ahead.

As far as what's fair: Last summer I paid attention every time we went out to how many pulls we had and how much gas was burned. Almost every single time it worked out to 2 gallons of gas per pull. This includes the short drive to/from our riding spot and any misc. dock runs, driving around, etc.

I should say that I'm super lucky with my usual riding crew though. Most of them are experienced boaters, a few of them are experienced drivers. The ones that don't have boats even chip in, generously, for services! Cleaning up is never an issue, everybody knows their job, and what to do based on who's there. It makes my life sooooo easy. They are the best!

Good crew make a great day even better!