I'm going to Cabo for the first time next week and wondered if anyone had some guidelines for how much to tip offshore boats?

200-300$ depending on the amount of the trip.

Capt. Andrew,

What type of trip would a tip like like be for, and what would the cost of a trip like that before the tip be? Are we talking about one of those boats that take off from Port A and had a gob of people on it!

In that case maybe 50$ for your group.
Thats if you think they did a good job. Most of those guys work their tail off.

I think most people will tell you somewhere between 10-20% of the trip depending on the service provided and the person doing the tipping. I tend to tip a smaller percent for bay guides than I do for offshore boats. My reasoning is because a offshore deckhand relies heavily on the tips to live and a bay guide also profits from the price of the trip. I have tipped more than the cost of trip on party boats before, especially when deck hands take extra time with one of my sons. I mean seriously how much is it worth when a man goes out of his way to help you make sure your child has a good experience, teaches him new knowledge? This isn't a place to pinch pennies, I have seen guys that make $250+ a day get squeamish about a $100 tip. The guy running deck has a job, works hard, and has a unique set of skills and knowledge, don't be afraid to help him make a living or he might decide he is better off working in a different profession.

Example
On a $1200 offshore trip, if I tip $120 or less its because I am making a point and wont be fishing that boat again. This would be the case for rudeness, laziness, not delivering the service promised and etc. If I don't have the cash to tip $250 for the trip if service is excellent, then I cant afford to go.

Good luck and let us know how you do

On party boat like your asking I normally try to do 10-15 a person that go with me

Ok, this I don't understad, if you are already paying for a service, and paying alot, how can they expect a tip?

Do you tip at a high end restaurant?

All they do is bring you food from the kitchen... Think of the guy that has to drive the boat... the guy that gaffs your fish...

I can chime in here since I do charge quite a lot , YOU DONT OWE anyone a tip ... that being said it is always appreciated , but if you fish with me and don't tip and come back and fish again you will get the same service as anyone else , but if the heavy tipper and you are on the boat together and we are sinking who do you think gets the extra life jacket thrown to him .... By the way that's a joke I have plenty of life jackets

very well said!

LOL

re: tipping on a headboat...

The deckhands didnt make any $$ off your trip fee. they work for tips.
Just like good waitstaff, they should be tipped accordingly if their service is good, & 15% of your charter cost is fully w/in reason
they live on that tip $$, just like that cute waitress at your favorite Italian joint. Just not as cute, usually. put it in the jar when it comes around, they watch. Beleive me, they watch.
Conversly, I have had trips where the mates were a little lacking, or,
in a particular instance a couple years ago, a smartass with no experience.
that trip, I took the 1st mate aside, handed him my tip, with explicit directions that the specific hand got none of my $$.
15% is the norm, less if they suck, more if they're awesome. Easy.
hope this helps, man

-B

Did I understand that the deck hands on party boats don't make anything, and live off of tips?

It's been a while, but I want to go out on one of those party boats in the not too distant future. Does everyone put their tip in a jar to be shared by all of the deck hands, or can I tip the specific deck hand that serves me?