The discussion on gratuities raised question with our group on tipping of dock hands for assistance... Typical assistance...
Tipping amount, if any:
At Charter Base: leaving.... coming?
At Marina (overnight slip)?
Other comments welcomed.
Fuel Dock?
Water ?

We just finished our trip this am. Tipped the guy who guided us in $10, dock help $10. The first boat we got (brand new) needed a circuit board for the genset and they brought us a replacement to BEYC (we knew this prior to leaving the base), gave both guys $20 each. At home we tip fuel dock $5, dock staff $10.

If they assist me in docking the boat, I usually give them $5-10. If they laugh after I dock the boat, I don't give them nothing. rrs

We generally don't tip the guys at the marina when we're leaving or returning. We did tip our checkout captain $30.
We tipped the guys at Leverick $20 each for helping us into our slip.

Wow, what a world of difference between charter people and cruisers. Cruisers on their own boats usually don't tip. This isn't the US <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

We don't tip coming into a slip, but if a few stray beers find there way to the dock office just before they close....

I tip anyone who saves me some damaged gelcoat. Usually $10 or $20 to a dock hand depending on the size of the boat. In Ohio, I also give $10 or $20 to anyone who has to deal with my holding tank so I don't have to...

Yup - what Jason said.
We boat all summer season in Michigan - we tip each dockhand generally $10. Most of them are teenage/college age kids, super friendly and helpful with lines. I appreciate a young kid/adult who's polite and helpful. Maybe it's the mom in me.

If he grabs my lines and does a good job I usually give him a handshake and tell him to take the day off. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I was always taught that when approaching a dock --- give the dock worker a line with a loop on it and ask it to be placed on a cleat - that all line tension should be controlled by my crew with my direction.
There were many years when I took the same commercial boat to the same dock twice a day to pick up/drop off daysail passengers - I usually only tipped when some real help was given or needed, the dock attendants knew I was very grateful when the inevitable, occasional snafu occurred.
I was often the last boat in for the day and sometimes gave the Dockmaster a six pack to share out when their shift was over.
When I singlehand a private boat I always ask for whatever help I need and tip graciously and appreciatively.