sailing class

[Christian]

I am taking a sailing class this summer and just received an email that leaving the captain a tip is customary. Has anyone here taken a class before and tipped the captain? And if so...how much do you give?

[Québec 1]

enough to pass!

[Catigale]

Lucky dan in the fourth race....

[opie]

Tips are for captains that ferry around cocktail drinkers and looky-loos on a party boat, or else a captain that caters to your fishing needs. For a real ASA class, the classes are usually over three visits and by the end you should have made friends with the captain to the point that a "tip" would be an insult. So the answer is NEVER.

[Christian]

Thank you....I am with opie on this one.

[pokerrick1]

How many days and how many hours is the class?

I disagree with Opie & Christian - - - please give me the days and hours and I'll give you an anwser.

Rick

[c130king]

I didn't tip...but then again my "instructor" was a cranky old Chief Bosun's Mate. Did I mention he was cranky...

Never felt like it was necessary...especially after my $500 check for the three-day course.

Jim

[arknoah]

It was suggested by my school (don't remember where I saw it) that a tip would be appropriate for the instructor. However, my wife didn't think it made a lot of sense, and I didn't sense any "nudge" by the instructor that he expected anything, so I didn't offer.

I say do whatever feels right: if the instructor really wows you and seems to take a particularly strong interest in you, say because you were frightened while heeling and he or she found just the way to keep you engaged -- I would say feel free to provide a tip as well as your heartfelt thanks.

[Phil M]

I didn't tip...but then again my "instructor" was a cranky old Chief Bosun's Mate. Did I mention he was cranky...

Jim

Sailing instructors are supposed to be cranky. A patch over one eye helps too. The crew does not openly question your authority.

Phil M

[noyopacific]

When I took sailing classes (ASA 101, 103 & 104,) I didn't leave the instructor a tip nor did I observe anyone tipping or even hear the subject discussed among the other participants. Based on my experience, I'd say the claim that tipping is "customary" is false. I would find another sailing school or if I'd already paid, explain that this additional expense had not been anticipated and would request a refund.
Our instructors were all good, patient with their students and really fine folks. They were also brokers and we went back to them when we were ready to buy a sailboat so they did end up getting a commission.

[Watto]

In your crazy society where tipping is required for minimum wage earners to get over the poverty line, I do not believe a well paid sailing instructor qualifies for a tip after course you have just spent hundreds of dollers on. It would be like tipping your sports teams coach... or a car dealer.

[Catigale]

I travel between EU and US a lot and am always having this debate.

[Hamin' X]

At the end of our 8-day 101-104 ASA course (Santa Cruz), we invited one of our instructors (out of 2) out for a nice dinner. The other one was a marine surveyor and was out of town. Of course, we learned more about sailing at this dinner Everybody was happy and we still correspond with both via email.

~Rich

[Christian]

The class is four days, three hours at a time.

[pokerrick1]

I like the take him out to dinner or out to eat idea - - - you'll probably learn almost as much in that two hours as you did in the previous twelve

Rick