17 replies to this topic

[annasea]

I'll be diving soon in FL for up to 7 days with a DM/guide who also happens to be the dive op owner, I believe. In addition to being my buddy, he's also prepared to help me with my air consumption and perhaps a few other trouble spots. How much should I tip? Do I need to tip anyone else such as the captain? Is there a percentage range, for example, 15-20% of the total cost per day, i.e., diving fee, guide fee, and tank rental? Any suggestions are most appreciated!

[dustbowl diver]

If you are doing a two tank AM dive for $60 for example, a $10 bill is a little over 15% and seems reasonable IMO. I treat it like I do a resteraunt, if I receive good service and a perceived good value, I tip 20%.

[Latitude Adjustment]

It's usually $5 per tank, more for above and beyond and being your guide is more unless he loses you, then a lot less

[Cold_H2O]

On boat dives here we don't tip the captain just the crew and the average is $5-$10 per tank.
A 2 tank dive trip tip is between $10-$20.

Some folks think that is too much. I do it based on service.
The boat I charter I use {Banditos} the crew is very helpful.
If you need help gearing up they offer it.
They will also help haul your gear from your car to the boat and back off at the end of the dive.

I am short and the last rung of the ladder is a tough one for me.
So they get to haul my butt and my gear up that last step for both dives.

I usually tip $20 and bring treats when I dive with them.
The cost of the charter is $70 which includes soup and sandwiches for lunch.

Hope that helps.

Edited by gis_gal, 16 May 2007 - 07:27 AM.

[scubagalpal]

I'll be diving soon in FL for up to 7 days


Where in FL are you going to be? Glad to see that the nitrox computer will be getting a work out.

For the tipping situation, you might consider tipping the guide seperately if he's not part of the regular boat crew. The $5/tank is pretty standard here in South FL.

Have fun!

[scubaski]

I'll be diving soon in FL for up to 7 days with a DM/guide who also happens to be the dive op owner, I believe. In addition to being my buddy, he's also prepared to help me with my air consumption and perhaps a few other trouble spots. How much should I tip? Do I need to tip anyone else such as the captain? Is there a percentage range, for example, 15-20% of the total cost per day, i.e., diving fee, guide fee, and tank rental? Any suggestions are most appreciated!

I tend to dive multi day w/ same operator. Often different cpt. and mates and DM on multi day. I use 15-20% depending on service of package price, goes into the pot and let operator divide it up. I will tip a indvidual for special service I receive also.
Ss

[netmage]

I'll be diving soon in FL for up to 7 days with a DM/guide who also happens to be the dive op owner, I believe. In addition to being my buddy, he's also prepared to help me with my air consumption and perhaps a few other trouble spots. How much should I tip? Do I need to tip anyone else such as the captain? Is there a percentage range, for example, 15-20% of the total cost per day, i.e., diving fee, guide fee, and tank rental? Any suggestions are most appreciated!

And I didn't get an invite....? I'm beginning to get a complex....

On a boat w/ a captain and a DM, Tip the crew - the captain is paid for in the charter fee.
On a six pack w/ just the captain - I tip the captain.
In your scenerio, I'm assuming the owner is acting in the capacity of crew/dm - he gets tipped. (Who is it - Kev or Brent?)

I generally tip $5 a tank, and plan on $10 for a trip, this can approach 20% on some charters.

If he's also acting in the capacity of a guide and you have a blast - maybe another $5 above whatever your paying for his services, if your not formally paying for a guide... $10. If you've been w/ them before and going to be spending 7 days w/ the same crew 15% as a lump sum is one hell of a motivator. The real key here is to remember to tip - all too often I'm on a crowded boat (often w/ OW students) and the DM busts their ass getting a bunch of nervous students squared away and left dry...

[Dive_Girl]

On boat dives here we don't tip the captain just the crew and the average is $5-$10 per tank.
A 2 tank dive trip tip is between $10-$20.

Some folks think that is too much. I do it based on service.
The boat I charter I use {Banditos} the crew is very helpful.
If you need help gearing up they offer it.
They will also help haul your gear from your car to the boat and back off at the end of the dive.

I am short and the last rung of the ladder is a tough one for me.
So they get to haul my butt and my gear up that last step for both dives.

I usually tip $20 and bring treats when I dive with them.
The cost of the charter is $70 which includes soup and sandwiches for lunch.

Hope that helps.

What she said! And her apple sin treat is a delight!

[cmt489]

On boat dives here we don't tip the captain just the crew and the average is $5-$10 per tank.
A 2 tank dive trip tip is between $10-$20.

Some folks think that is too much. I do it based on service.
The boat I charter I use {Banditos} the crew is very helpful.
If you need help gearing up they offer it.
They will also help haul your gear from your car to the boat and back off at the end of the dive.

I am short and the last rung of the ladder is a tough one for me.
So they get to haul my butt and my gear up that last step for both dives.

I usually tip $20 and bring treats when I dive with them.
The cost of the charter is $70 which includes soup and sandwiches for lunch.

Hope that helps.

What she said! And her apple sin treat is a delight!

Which reminds me - I have to stock up on Fudgee-os before the PNW Treasure Hunt weekend!

[Dive_Girl]

Which reminds me - I have to stock up on Fudgee-os before the PNW Treasure Hunt weekend!

Yes and don't let your co-workers get near them!

I left the last dive operator with a Single Divers T-shirt in addition to my gratuity. Somtimes items unique to you or the area you are visiting from are an additional bonus thank you and might be an extra special touch in the case of the person you describe annasea.

[dustbowl diver]

On boat dives here we don't tip the captain just the crew and the average is $5-$10 per tank.
A 2 tank dive trip tip is between $10-$20.

Some folks think that is too much. I do it based on service.
The boat I charter I use {Banditos} the crew is very helpful.
If you need help gearing up they offer it.
They will also help haul your gear from your car to the boat and back off at the end of the dive.

I am short and the last rung of the ladder is a tough one for me.
So they get to haul my butt and my gear up that last step for both dives.

I usually tip $20 and bring treats when I dive with them.
The cost of the charter is $70 which includes soup and sandwiches for lunch.

Hope that helps.

What she said! And her apple sin treat is a delight!

You fine females can get away with the desert gig. I show up with a pan of cake donut bread pudding and the crew is liable to think I'm diving in a rainbow speedo!!!

[Dive_Girl]

You fine females can get away with the desert gig. I show up with a pan of cake donut bread pudding and the crew is liable to think I'm diving in a rainbow speedo!!!

One of my closest dive buddies does dive in a fabulous rainbow speedo, so I see nothing wrong with it. Quit holding the cake donut bread pudding our from your dive buddies and go with it!

[gcbryan]

I'll be diving soon in FL for up to 7 days with a DM/guide who also happens to be the dive op owner, I believe. In addition to being my buddy, he's also prepared to help me with my air consumption and perhaps a few other trouble spots. How much should I tip? Do I need to tip anyone else such as the captain? Is there a percentage range, for example, 15-20% of the total cost per day, i.e., diving fee, guide fee, and tank rental? Any suggestions are most appreciated!

The tip question has been answered now but I'll give you a "tip" regarding air consumption. Diving more is the main way to improve air consumption. If you are getting headaches (due to Co2 buildup) then you need to breath deeper but otherwise there aren't any good tricks regarding your breathing. If your weighing isn't dialed in or if your buoyancy isn't as good as you would like then correcting these areas will result in the use of less air in your BC. Otherwise more dive experience (being more comfortable) is what makes the difference and moving around less.

[annasea]

And I didn't get an invite....? I'm beginning to get a complex....

Phft! How soon they forget... An informal invite was extended on another board.

On a boat w/ a captain and a DM, Tip the crew - the captain is paid for in the charter fee.
On a six pack w/ just the captain - I tip the captain.
In your scenerio, I'm assuming the owner is acting in the capacity of crew/dm - he gets tipped. (Who is it - Kev or Brent?)

I generally tip $5 a tank, and plan on $10 for a trip, this can approach 20% on some charters.

If he's also acting in the capacity of a guide and you have a blast - maybe another $5 above whatever your paying for his services, if your not formally paying for a guide... $10. If you've been w/ them before and going to be spending 7 days w/ the same crew 15% as a lump sum is one hell of a motivator. <snip>

I'll be diving on Kevin's boat with Kevin acting as my babysitter-for-hire for probably all of my dives. Lucky Kevin! Would you suggest in this scenario to tip the captain and Kevin separately? 15% of the bill split up somehow between the two?

Somtimes items unique to you or the area you are visiting from are an additional bonus thank you and might be an extra special touch in the case of the person you describe annasea.

A nice idea... thanks!

The tip question has been answered now but I'll give you a "tip" regarding air consumption. Diving more is the main way to improve air consumption. If you are getting headaches (due to Co2 buildup) then you need to breath deeper but otherwise there aren't any good tricks regarding your breathing. If your weighing isn't dialed in or if your buoyancy isn't as good as you would like then correcting these areas will result in the use of less air in your BC. Otherwise more dive experience (being more comfortable) is what makes the difference and moving around less.

Thanks, Gray. I think my biggest issues thus far have been being overweighted, and a sense of feeling rushed which affected both my buoyancy and movement. I plan on moving at MY pace this trip.

[dustbowl diver]

You fine females can get away with the desert gig. I show up with a pan of cake donut bread pudding and the crew is liable to think I'm diving in a rainbow speedo!!!

One of my closest dive buddies does dive in a fabulous rainbow speedo, so I see nothing wrong with it. Quit holding the cake donut bread pudding our from your dive buddies and go with it!

Good point-so maybe it is my dive buddies that will have the issue with the rainbow speedo!! (note to self-must dive in PNW with new dive buddies!)