are sailors cheap

[sawingknots]

while cruising and you pull into a strange marina do you get a less than a warm welcome as apposed to trawlers or power boat cruisers?is it only because sailboats use so little fuel or is there something else i'm missing

[b40Ibis]

My first reaction is F-them. but... Tip well and maybe get better service. I always drop the hint- 'yo mate, I tip' I think that is what the dock hands want. They make about $8/hr. But I guess it is just as easy to fuel up 400 gallons as it is for 40, so there probably will be some preference for the high rollers. However, as you know, the dockage for sail and stink boats is the same. (not for cats)
Does everyone tip regularly? Or am I wasting my $?

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by sawingknots

while cruising and you pull into a strange marina do you get a less than a warm welcome as apposed to trawlers or power boat cruisers?is it only because sailboats use so little fuel or is there something else i'm missing

We have never had such an experience. In every case harbor masters and staff have been very accommodating and have made us feel quite welcome. Some marina's are nicer, i.e. more elaborate, than others but the staff have pretty much always been very nice. We generally find that most folks treat one as they are treated.

FWIW...

[sawingknots]

We generally find that most folks treat one as they are treated.

FWIW...[/QUOTE]

i agree but i mean when you first approch and before you've even spoke! and i'm not talking about dock hands but more on a management level

[Captainmeme]

Of course sailors are cheap. The wind is free and everything should be.

We pulled into a city marina in Florida a few years back. The wife wanted a shower. I asked the attendant how much keeping in mind we were on an older 25 ft Hunter. She said free! SCORE!

[tommays]

Actually on long islands peconic bay there are several marinas that limit there sailboat population as fuel docks are rare and it is big part of there income

On the other hand sailboats are very big in Northport,Centerport and it does not happen at all

[sawingknots]

[QUOTE=Captainmeme;798704]Of course sailors are cheap. The wind is free and everything should be.

shhh,they might figure how to tax the wind too what with the deficit and all

[Lake Superior Sailor]

Before you say anything; How you present your self & your craft kind of tells it all! Display your towels and laundry, or come in screaming at your wife as you screw up your landing .you can expect less than warm welcome. I find friendly & a tip goes a long way. As to sailors being cheap, you have to know better than that : this is one of the more costly sports out there--maybe we're just BROKE! ---Dale

[Cruiser2B]

This one is!

But I have have always been welcomed and assisted at any marina we have pulled into. When we have pulled in, we have always gotten a slip for the night so maybe that has made the difference. I have never just pulled up to the fuel dock.

[fallard]

There are some marinas that cater to the powerboat set and would just as soon not deal with sailboats. I once left my sailboat at a powerboat marina for a week and a half in Manatee Pocket in Florida and upon my return the dockhand told me he got grief for taking me in. They still collected the $500+ slip fee (This was 1996 dollars). On top of that, I stayed in their motel and used their restaurant the night I dropped the boat off. Nonetheless, no one gave me a hard time. Yes, I did tip.