Sharing expenses for a non-boater

[Gorgebassman]

I was curious for you boaters do any of you have a standard money amount for a draw non-boater for a 1 day tournament.

[ABA CAST CHAMP 2006]

For our tournaments, the directors ask that the non-boater offer the boater half of the fuel costs for the day, and at the minimum $20.  I've entered tournaments as a boater and as a nonboater, and the guy with the boat ALWAYS spends more money.  So, it's a good idea to at least make the gesture, especially since the boater has to spend so much in order to have the boat ready for a nonboater and in good working condition.

[burleytog]

The way our club does it is that the non-boater pays all of the entry fees ($60).  The boater must provide the non-boater a ride to the lake.

Most NB's also chip in for gas, etc.

[Cajun1977]

20 bucks is the minimum  for a nonboater in a draw tourney

[Guest JoshKeller]

i pay for the truck gas, you pay for the boat gas and oil.  some people complain  if they have to pay $10 more for the boat gas, until they realize the cost of upkeep, taxes, cost of the boat, etc

[Sam]

In our bass club the non-boater pays for fuel and miscellaneous expenses based on a sliding scale of gasoline prices.

Right now the fee for a non-boater is $45 and it can go up if gasonline prices increase and go down if gas prices decrease. The formula is stated in our tournament rules.

The non-boater pays for his entry fee and big fish pot.

This has proven to be very easy to compute and we have never had problems.

[Nick]

If I know how far I'm going to run in a tournament, it's easier to know. I like to think about a dollar per mile up to 30 miles of boat distance with a $10 minimum.  I wouldn't expect over $40 maximum. I run an efi, not an opti. In national events, some pro's won't take a dime.  Others complain if they don't get at least $35.

[squid]

MINE IS A BOATERS INCENTIVE PROGRAM..LOL

STANDARD $20...PUT ME ON SOME FISH...$30...CASH A CHECK...$50

1ST PLACE...$75

[Oilpig]

I posted this on the texasfishingforum.com a little over a year ago when I was fishing a BASS Federation Nation club out of Houston, TX.  Thought it might be useful to post here too.

I fish a BASS Federation Nation club and the SE TX Federation regionals as a nonboater. I have a couple of rules I go by.

1) I always offer money for expenses before the tournament even starts. Offering to split half of big bass if you happen to get it doesn't hurt either.

2) I try to never cast to any spot ahead of the driver's console. Anything off the sides behind the console and off the back are fair game, but the boater gets first crack at anything they choose to position the boat to.

3) I'm new here and haven't prefished any of these lakes. I can't offer any experienced advice on this hole or that spot. So I try to approach my day as a personal challenge in two aspects. First, it's a challenge to make the absolute best of the water I'm presented. Secondly, it's a personal challenge of me against the fish...not me against the boater, other boaters, or other nonboaters...just me against ole mossyback.

The other little things are important too. Don't try to bring every rod and every piece of tackle you own. I went to BPS and bought a new Bassmasters soft sided bag that holds 6 big trays. I figure if I can't fish a tournament out of that box, then I must not have a clue what I'm doing out there and I'm trying to throw everything but the kitchen sink at 'em. I simplify my tackle into that (much more neatly organized) bag, read the water when we get on it, then work what I have to the best of my ability.

It also doesn't hurt to ask up front how the boater wants his/her fish handled should he/she hook up. Want the net immediately? Want to call for the net when needed? Want me to jump in with it and talk the ol' hog into the boat? Whatever he/she wants, it's best that it's known up front. Hopefully they'll be courteous enough to ask the same info from you should one of those little green gals get past the driver's console and end up on your line on a lure that fit into a small, organized box, presented on one of your 4-5 rods, that rode to the lake that day with at least $40 in gas money.

Did I just about cover it all fellas (and ladies)? That's how I do it and it's how I hope to see it done when I'm distracted by the trolling motor, worried about the next spot, netting fish for my nonboater partner who just caught big bass 6 inches behind the console of my boat next year. That'll be the day!

I've thought of a few more since I posted that.

- Be careful while in/around your boater's expensive investment of a boat/gear.  Don't step down from the back deck onto/using the seats.  Use care when opening/closing storage compartment lids.

- Ask about safety equipment as soon as you get into the boat.  Where's the fire extinguisher?  If your boater has a cell phone, ask if he has an emergency contact in his phone should anything happen.

- Be sure you know how to start/drive the boat just in case your boater should become unconscious.

All that being said, I haven't had a bad experience with a boater yet.  Treat them as more than just your ride on the lake and you'll likely have a much better experience with your partner for the day.

[Deuceu72]

MINE IS A BOATERS INCENTIVE PROGRAM..LOL

STANDARD $20...PUT ME ON SOME FISH...$30...CASH A CHECK...$50

1ST PLACE...$75

Good one! I like this!  ;D