Cost sharing on big trips

[Rain City]

Great forum. I’ve been on every different end of the spectrum - often supplying the boat and truck, albeit a 14’ back then so much cheaper then most vessels doing day/overnight trips to sooke and port renfrew, I’ve been the guy invited on trips in buddy’s boats (26’ +) and then when it comes to river fishing through the winter, my buddy does nearly all the driving and supplies the truck based on our needs in the bush. I’ll speak from being the guests perspective below.

Most recently, myself and 3 good buds did an overnighter to the Sandheads from Victoria. The 3 non boat owners supplied 95% of the food, including prep, besides a few home cooked items the captain wanted to bring, all the liquor (boat/truck owner ALWAYS drinks for free), 1/2 the tackle/rods/reels, and covered 80+ % of the fuel bill. Captain volunteered to supply bait as had a few packs left in the freezer. I left this trip (and I believe the captain did to) feeling like this was split fairly. Fish was of course split evenly 4 ways.

As the copilot through my winter fishing season/camping, I always cover my partners liquor, take care of all our food including prep, and take care of at least 60% + of the fuel bill as a thanks. Anytime as the guest I always try and pickup a tab or grab supplies on the way when things come up to show my appreciation for my partners effort and supplying the truck/boat. It should go without saying that as the guest you’ll be expected to have fantastic tunes to your captains liking for the duration of the trip.

The bottom line is good buddies are hard to find especially with common interests and who you enjoy being out there with, so be generous within your means and show appreciation by bucking up when friends are showing you a good experience imo.

Interesting from @wolf for pointing out the detailing of a truck after a long trip. I’ve seen what a truck is like after a week + in the bush and something I never though of contributing to in the past but definitely will now.

You just brought up a point that I thought would NEVER be an issue. The fish split! I've literally had a guy come on my boat, fish my gear that I rigged, reeled in a fish that I took out of the rigger and set the hook and then I netted. And he wanted to keep the only fish of the day because HE caught it. I couldn't stop laughing. In fact, I think the very last thing I ever said to the guy was HAHAHAHAHAHAHA GETTHEFUCKOUTTAHERE!

 

[ClintR]

Sometimes we fish with buddies, sometimes buddies fish with us. Whoever’s boat it is covers boat costs because it’s an annual thing and we use our boats for more than the one trip. The other couple usually pays fuel. Usually, unless it’s my welder buddy. He fishes for free for all the work he did for me for peanuts. We all find our own accommodations because some of us are too old to camp and others don’t want to spend $$$ for motel rooms. Its what works for us. Except the fish. We take turns when a rod goes off and we split the catch at the end of the trip. One trip to Ukee we were offshore fishing deep and everytime it was my turn to grab the rod, it was a halibut. I ended up catching the limit for the entire boat (4 fish) and no hard feelings having to split it up. My buddy and his wife topped up our salmon catch so it all worked out in the end. Maybe we’re closer buddy’s than others but I don’t know? A good time for all seems more Important to me than bringing home a bag limit. Especially the wives. Seems like the happier they are the easier it is to talk them into next years trip.

 

[Aces]

You just brought up a point that I thought would NEVER be an issue. The fish split! I've literally had a guy come on my boat, fish my gear that I rigged, reeled in a fish that I took out of the rigger and set the hook and then I netted. And he wanted to keep the only fish of the day because HE caught it. I couldn't stop laughing. In fact, I think the very last thing I ever said to the guy was HAHAHAHAHAHAHA GETTHEFUCKOUTTAHERE!

That’s guiding

 

[chille51]

Only been on two trips with anyone other than the wife, and both were in rental boats so there was no boat "owner". Closest thing was boat was in my name if there was a problem or we broke something, which we didn't. In that limited experience, I think the simplest is split the costs 50/50, and the catch. In terms of who reels them in, I think depends on experience of those on board. When I was out with my inlaws and niece/nephew etc. and I'm the only guy in the boat with any experience at all, then we just take turns with me getting fewer turns until everyone else lands a few. Lots of me pulling the rods out of the riggers and handing off. With a buddy that can do it himself, I have found it works best to just each fish your own rod/side. If one rod is catching all the fish, switch up the other one to a be a similar presentation. Or just make it a friendly competition to see who can hook and land more. But still split the catch 50/50 at end of trip.

Now that I have my own boat, my perspective may change but so far its just been the wife and I doing trips on that. It's a 17' Arima so one extra person is about all I would want to invite for a multi-day trip. Four would be a crowd. And three is kind of an awkward 3rd wheel situation. 3 good fishing buddies (including me) that agree on the rules would be ideal for my boat. If I am on someone else's boat, I'm good with whatever split they are, and offer to do prep work - round up beer, groceries, ice etc. and just generally take the stress out of getting on the road.

Day trips on my boat, I'll take gas money if you're offering but even better bring food and bait so I don't have to worry about it.

 

[Bragg]

Common sense dictates that adults should be able to determine that fishing is not a cheap endeavour, and in fact can be quite expensive. Especially if you are running or supplying gear.

Unfortunately, as they say, common sense isn't so common.

For years I supplied 80-90% of the gear. Truck, small boat, stoves, generator, etc. As the years go by, all the wear and tear on the gear has taken its toll. Today we no longer fish together (for reasons not related), but I'm saddled with the worn out gear. At the time, everyone paid via an equal split. No consideration given to oil changes, detailing, boat damage (minor), general wear and tear. Fish were also split equally.

Moral of the story, you have to decide early. Either be up front with the associated costs with supplying boats and gear, or be prepared to foot the bill in the long run. It's a hard conversation, and often times only those that run gear will truly understand all the costs and work involved.

And speaking of the work involved, we haven't even touched on the guys who show up with a fishing rod and sleeping bag, only to ask "when are we going again?" while you spend the next 3 days cleaning your gear...alone.

Fishing. Not for the feint of heart or weak of stomach.

 

[acrowe]

This is an interesting conversation. I have a small boat and gas for it is not a huge expense, but on the other hand I put in a lot of sweat equity every year working on my boat, motors and trailer, as well as a fair bit of money in parts and supplies. I lived away from the island for many years and really appreciate being able to own a boat and fish here regularly now.
I don't really have any regular fishing buddies on the island that I take out all the time. When I take out friends and relatives I take care of all the costs and don't expect them to pay for anything. If I was regularly going out with someone on their boat I would definitely want to contribute gas and other costs. If I was regularly taking someone out, how I would feel about that would probably depend on the relationship and their financial situation compared to mine. I go out a lot by myself (30-40 days most years may-aug) and I can afford and plan on doing so. If I was taking out a good friend who's company I enjoyed enough to want to fish with them regularly, I would happily take them and assume that things would balance out in the friendship over time and in different situations. I don't know if I would want to fish regularly with someone I thought was taking advantage of me, or I thought I needed to be reminded that friendship is a 2way street.

On the other hand I generally go on a major fishing trip with buddies in Manitoba every year. Its an expensive trip by the time all the fuel for vehicles hauling RVs and boats, and boat fuel, and camping, and food, and other costs get added up. Since the beginning we have always divided all the costs equally between everyone going. The trip is planned as a group so its not a surprise to anyone. It wouldn't be viable if we didn't do it that way, and its something we all look forward to every year. We often have people come along who are new or peripheral to the core group. Depending on who they are they know up front they are in for a share of the costs. Although several times we also invited the father in law of one of the group who we had all known for years, who was retired and less well. He had always been known for his generosity and willingness to help others. He was well known for replying to new inexperienced people he had invited fishing or hunting when they asked what they should bring? - "A cup and a lighter". He was never allowed to pay a share.

Please don't see this as judging anyone who sees things differently, I just think its a really interesting topic.

 

[Salty Badger]

We’ve been doing a group trip to wcvi for over 10 years now, and this is how we do it.

All trip/group expenses are kept track of, including: lodge, fuel, bait, food, trip swag, cocktail hour refreshments, etc.

At the end of the trip, it’s all added up and split between all 15 guys, with the non-captains paying about $125-150 more per person for the trip than the boat owners.

Everyone who comes on this trip knows full well that they’re getting a high end, unique trip that other people pay thousands for a similar experience, and everyone knows that it doesn’t happen without the boat owners providing a safe, well equipped vessel. So we tried to make little changes over the years to favour the captains. The lodge we rent has 8 bedrooms, the boat captains automatically get their own bedroom. Boat captains also don’t have any “jobs” or responsibilities at the lodge, their job is the boat. So they don’t have to clean fish, cook food, clean up the cabin etc. all those jobs are assigned to the non captains. Everyone has their “lodge jobs”, one year you’re on kitchen crew, next cleaning crew, next year fish/dock crew etc. Captains get to kick back when not on the water. We also have a “you break it, you replace it” rule for any boat gear broken or lost overboard

That’s how we do it, and it works really well. Obviously, boat owners still end up paying more for the trip once you factor in maintenance/gear/insurance etc, but boat owners are fully aware of that going in.

Being organized, clear communication on everyone’s responsibilities and cost share from the get go, that’s the key.

The 4 day trip for 15 guys total cost was $12k this year

Outstanding! A person can't do better than to have that level of experience for $800 a head to be in the group!

I live in Nanaimo, and just this year got a boat capable of nearly anything/anywhere the west coast could offer. I'm very much looking forward to getting to some true west coast spots the likes of Winter Harbor, and Kyukuot. My wife and I will be hitting these destinations, but it's always a little more fun (and safe) in slightly larger groups. If there's a contact list I can be added to for potential trip dates, I'd appreciate it and you could add another boat to the mix.