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From: (Paul Dougherty)

Hello Group,
I have a friend who I take out on my boat very often fishing. Grant
it, it is a small boat 16' 6". But it still runs on fuel. He never has
offered to pay for fuel or help to wash all the crude out of it from
fishing. I did invite him to go so I do not feel right asking him. For
example yesterday we went fishing at small lake. I drove my truck,
towing my boat 140+ miles round trip, used 6 gallons of fuel on the
lake. I know that is not a lot since some people here have boats that
use 6 gallons just to start. But, he could offer.
Another example last year we went to Canada for a "guys" week. We used
60-70 gallons of fuel running around a much bigger lake (Bobs Lake if
anyone knows where that is) that week. That is not including the 70-80
gallons to get there and back. He did not offer cash for gas. But, he
did pay his share of the house and food. My brother and his friend
shared a boat that week and split everything 50/50 and made comments
about sharing the cost in front of my friend. But, he was still
clueless.
My brother's father in-law has a boat at the Jersey shore. When he
invites me down, even though he has more money than I will ever see, I
offer and intend to pay part of the $100-150 fuel bill. But he always
refuses. But I always offer.
Does anyone have or has had this issue? What did you or are you going
do?

Paul

Well, a great quandry. I have a 30 footer. When I invite people out on the boat
I never expect or ask for gas money. It's my invite. Besides I am going out
anyway and the company is nice.

Almost without exception when we get to our destination they, the passengers or
invitees, if you wish to call them that will usually offer to pay for any
dockage and I will accept that. Also, I usually do not have to buy my own
dinner or drinks so in the end it sort of evens out.

To each their own. I won't ask for or expect gas money but I will accept the
other perks that are usually offered when I take guests out for a cruise.

You will have do decide what works best for you. Someone who offers absolutely
nothing is probably not someone I would keep taking out on my boat..