NEED HELP.. should a captain take your tip or ???

[Scottreels]

Thats right box! If you can not trust your capt. you are on the wrong boat!!!!

[Tuna_Fever]

I have been a mate for 7 years, if you don't trust the captain get the hell out asap.

As far as the customer tipping, I getthe tip directly 75% of the time and the other time they give it to the captain, I trust my captain 100% and thats why we have such a great relationship.

I do however wish the customers knew it is customary to give the tip directly to the mate. (it feels good!)

[Caveman Sportfishing]

I would prefer the customers give the tip right to the mates but that does not happen alway the time. After reading this post I am thinking about putting up some kind of sign in the salon about this and any thoughts on what would be appropiate. I would like something that discusses giving tip directly to mate and something about 15-20 % is reasonable and customary for tips. I do not want to put " mates work for tips" since that is not 100% true as we pay them 10% of the total trip out of the charter fee.
Thank you

[Caveman Sportfishing]

I would prefer the customers give the tip right to the mates but that does not happen alway the time as many include it in a check or credit card payment directly to me as the owner/capt of the boat. After reading this post I am thinking about putting up some kind of sign in the salon about this and any thoughts on what would be appropiate. I would like something that discusses giving tip directly to mate and something about 15-20 % is reasonable and customary for tips. I do not want to put " mates work for tips" since that is not 100% true as we pay them 10% of the total trip out of the charter fee.
Thank you

[captdom]

I would prefer the customers give the tip right to the mates but that does not happen alway the time as many include it in a check or credit card payment directly to me as the owner/capt of the boat. After reading this post I am thinking about putting up some kind of sign in the salon about this and any thoughts on what would be appropiate. I would like something that discusses giving tip directly to mate and something about 15-20 % is reasonable and customary for tips. I do not want to put " mates work for tips" since that is not 100% true as we pay them 10% of the total trip out of the charter fee.
Thank you

My wife came up with a good sentence to address this when I redid the charter agreement on my website:


"A 15-20% gratuity is customary for the mates services , which includes all filleting and packaging of your catch .They work hard for your enjoyment, please treat them as you would a good server at your favorite restaurant."

you could tweak that to state something about the payment going directly to the mate to insure he leaves the boat with the knowledge that they enjoyed their day...

[WAHOONBOX]

I have been a mate for 7 years, if you don't trust the captain get the hell out asap.

As far as the customer tipping, I getthe tip directly 75% of the time and the other time they give it to the captain, I trust my captain 100% and thats why we have such a great relationship.

I do however wish the customers knew it is customary to give the tip directly to the mate. (it feels good!)

I AM HAPPY TO SEE THAT THIS THREAD BROUGHT OUT THE FIRST POST FOR TUNA_FEVER I HOPE IT IS NOT HIS LAST


YES IT CERTAINLY DOES!!!

[budddavid]

I whole heartedly agree that the trust between captain and mate is more important than the money. Distrust over this is a symptom of a larger ailment. I also agree that as a mate it is better to be handed a tip directly and have that personal exchange. While it can be an awkward moment for customers, especially new ones, it really is about being thanked for your days work and hospitality. Likewise I want to be able to look them directly in the eyes and tell them how much I appreciate their thoughtfullness and taking care of me. And if they didn't have the day they expected I want to know that as well.

As a side note, I developed the peculiar habit of not looking at my tip untill after cleaning the boat. It gave me something to lookforward to and a little extra motivation to finish up. I believe it also prevented me from being surly in front of a customer if I'm dissappointed. I've never been good at hiding my reactions so I just avoid it. I know this is a bit of an odd practice and about every captain and mate on the dock finds this habit amusing but it is how I always operated.

I also have been fortunate to work for captains that ensure that customers fully understand taking care of his mate.

[scarecrow86]

As a side note, I developed the peculiar habit of not looking at my tip untill after cleaning the boat. It gave me something to lookforward to and a little extra motivation to finish up. I believe it also prevented me from being surly in front of a customer if I'm dissappointed. I've never been good at hiding my reactions so I just avoid it. I know this is a bit of an odd practice and about every captain and mate on the dock finds this habit amusing but it is how I always operated.

I also have been fortunate to work for captains that ensure that customers fully understand taking care of his mate.

I was taught the same thing early on in my career and I'm the same as you as far as hiding my feelings. I believe that it is important to always be professional and as absolutely as nice and respectful as possible. As this could be a potential customer for years or in some cases a new sweet gig in some exotic location. You are getting paid right because they trust and respect your abilties on the ocean whether your the captain or the mate. And good service means good tip I remind myself constantly that it is much more than just putting up the flags or putting something in the cooler. You definately catch more bees with honey than cat shit in this business.. About the tipping issue in my experience I could go either way as I never work with people I do not respect or trust with my life on the ocean. I would rather take my chances playing with electricity to pay the bills and only fish with the bro's on the weekend.

[kapnd]

Budddavid, you are a trusting soul, someone must be screening your clientelle very carefully. Where I work, we cater mainly to the tourist trade, and a portion of that is military. I have nothing against military clients, but they just dont make much money, and have already blown their wad on the charter fee. Many are first timers, and dont read anything, even when they sign it. I would be foolish not to count the tip, and I do, right in front of the client, and do not hesitate to point out the sign right on the headknocker. I have been stiffed by people who caught fish all day long and were thrilled with the trip, just didnt have a clue. Then there are the professional stiffs, who wait till the last fifteen minutes of the trip to find something trifling to get extremely pissed off about, and refuse to tip. They still want a big bag of fillets though! Share charters have got to be the worst, seems everybody tips light, assuming that there will be a big tipper in the bunch to make up for their defeciet. There are some good days, though, just not enough of them...

[striper101]

When I use a mate, I almost always tell the charter to give the tip directly to the mate.