I'll try this again. I've replied to this post three times now and it still hasn't shown up...
If you take money or let someone buy your fuel, it is considered a charter and is subject to all the same rules as a regular charter. Meaning... You better have a commercial charter insurance policy, a minimum of a 6-pack license, and all the required Coast Guard approved safety equipment ON your Coast Guard approved charter boat.
If you are going fishing, and you aren't bringing a friend, who's paying for your fuel then? So why is it suddenly costing you more to go out this time?
Hey, I appreciate when someone offers to help with fuel cost but truth be told, I'm not going to be an ass about it. If I can't afford to own a boat, maybe I shouldn't. If I go out alone or bring some company, it costs the same. What I like for guests (and I follow the same rules on other peoples boats) is...
1. Bring "good" beer. This is a big one. I'd rather have a 6-pack of good beer than a case of Bud (come to think of it, I'd rather have tonsillitis than a case of Bud). DO NOT DRINK TO MUCH ALCOHOL. This isn't a contest. You will get drunk faster and you will get sick. Save it for back at the dock.
2. Be polite, gracious, respectful. It's my boat, keep your opinions to yourself if you don't like where I mounted the GPS or don't agree with my brand choices. Also, treat my boat as if you had a deposit on it. Don't slam hatches or drop things on the deck or rub your belt buckles on everything. Accidents do happen but it's pretty obvious when someone is just careless.
3. Take your turn at the helm. It's not rocket science, it's just a boat. Offer to take your rotation at the helm so I can fish too. If you have ANY questions about how the boat works, please ask, it doesn't mean you're stupid.
4. If you want to bring your own tackle that's cool. As a matter of fact, I'd rather you buy bait than fuel (that way when we get skunked I can blame it on your crappy bait
). Make sure your gear is well maintained, leave that crunchy old crap at home, this isn't the repair shop.
5. Bringing food, drinks, snacks and such is cool, but not required. Bring water to drink if nothing else. If you get sea sick, LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY! I have stuff on board that works like a champ and it's all natural. (it's called
motion-eaze in case you want some, and YES, it works)
6. Stick around until the boat is washed down or you won't be invited back. If you helped dirty it, you can help clean it. Either you can help unload the boat, clean fish or help with the hose but it's rude to just take off when the boat hit's the dock. If you were in a hurry to get somewhere afterwards, you shouldn't have gone in the first place.
That's about it. I agree with the non-marking shoes and some other suggestions as well but it's not that big a deal to me, It washes. I DO NOT allow high heels on board. I don't care how long or how often you've been wearing them, they're NOT coming on the boat. Today will be the day you lose your balance and break your ankle, fall overboard, step on someone else's foot who's barefoot or god knows what else.
Mostly I want us to all have fun.