Fuel Prices & boating
 

The National Marine Manufacturers Association research center has issued the following statements:

1) Boaters will be boaters no matter what happens at the pump - boaters are out on the water to relax and spend time with friends and family and are reluctant to give it up

2) Recent research shows fuel prices don't change boating habits - A study conducted by the Recreational Marine Research Center showed that the majority of boaters (56%) didn't change their boating habits based on higher fuel prices last summer

3) Gas prices have not impacted boat sales - Wholesale dollar boat sales were up 15.6% in 2004 compared to 2003

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

i have invested too much into this hobby to let gas prices dictate what i do.....

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

I have decided to take the year off of boating. I decided to redo a few things to make my boat just the way I like it. I pulled the motor yesterday and plan on fixing a few other things. I do still have a 17' Boston Whaler I plan to use. :D but I just can't afford the gas right now. Hopefully next year.

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

Anyone shut one motor down in Idle zones ? ..... I hate to do it but have found myself thinking about it ..... Guess you could alternate motors to even out the hours ....

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You would have to have long azz Idle zones to really save anything on gas. Two minutes on plane at speed would equal about two hours idleing

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:D Whats an Idle Zone???? is that the Ideal place to be?? or is that some place where you slow down so people can see U?? :D or maybe its the community where the Manatees assemble for there politacal ralleys??? If thats the answer ,,, then why would U boat there???? :D :D

Inquyering minds want to know ?? :D

What does Offshore mean??

RHC :evilb: :evilb:

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

will not effect me 1 bit, other than in the pocket book. Besides, it only got 1 1/2mpg when I bought it, so fuel was not a factor then and it ain't a factor now.

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

It sure makes outboards more attractive.

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

1 1/2 MPG, you must have one of those new hybrid boats. :D

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Burned about $150. just on Sat , thank god it got cold...

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

Apparently I'm in the minority I guess. Fuel prices are dictacting whether or not I purchase another boat this summer.

Buck

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

Mines more like 3 gal. to the mile...............I have made my trips shorter and less speed...

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

Hey Buck, we'll be in Silom playing golf again this weekend.

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

I have been thinking of turning a old trailer I have into a big gas can that I can refuel on all weekend, instead of paying for the marina gas??save about .40cent a gallon times that by at least 100 gallons a weekend it adds up. not to mention the gas I would burn going to and from the marina?? but its just a thought right now.

WILL :D

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

I am so glad I sold my boat this week. I don't know if I'll get another right now :rolleyes:


Between insurance and gas this is just the beginning.

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

I plan on using my Tiger a little less and using the Checkmate with a 235 eggbeater more this year. Ill use the little boat to run around during the week or for quick joyrides and use the Tiger on the weekends. I also have considered accepting gas money from guests when offered. I have always had my own personal policy not to do so seeing that I was going to be using the boat with or without them. But now that it looks like gas will be closer to $4.00 a gallon than $3.00 on the lake Ill take any and all donations towards the gas bill. Hate to sound cheap, but i will not boat any less hours no matter what the cost is. Its mental therapy to me

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

I've still got your cell number Bubba. Unless it's changed? I'll give you a call and see if we can hook up at the Hill.

Buck

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

That study was bull$hit and was a marketing ploy by the mfgs. I got out of the big block twins and am heading back to a single outboard with a center console sport fisher. I got 1 mpg with the T502s and it killed me last year. It does and will effect sales and it will hurt bad when it hits $3 per gallon. I was tired of asking for 4 people to pitch in $100 just for a trip across lake MI, thats 170 miles and $400 easy. It is a damn shame that this has to happen, I got lucky to sell mine, now I need to get looking, I have a few ideas and may go back to the Zodiac. It was 100% of why I sold and 100% what I will end up buying. Yes I am a die hard boater and I will always be on the water but I will not be a slave to fuel and wonder and worry where prices are going and how far or fast I can travel. This sucks and I am pissed (if you could not tell) :mad:

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

I WILL STICK TO TRAILERING TO THE BOAT RAMPS SHORT RIDES :rolleyes: WFO :eek:

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

When we go out to eat by boat we would say lets go get a $100 grouper sandwich. Now it's a $125 sandwich. Damn expensive fish.

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Will be doing a lot less WFO operating for hours on end, will plan trips and runs in advance. I have never asked for gas money either and rarely accept if offered, unless your out with me EVERY weekend. This year will be different, whether i'd be using the boat or not,, people will need to chip in...

We really loved the lake Champlain run last year but really have to take fuel prices into account this year,,, 500 miles round round trip, 3 tanks of gas for the truck, fill the boat for the run, fill the boat after the run, don't think we'll be able to afford a 650.00 weekend.. :(

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The problem with getting people (that don't own a boat) to chip in is they don't realize how much fuel they boats use. So many times I have been offered $20 bucks for gas, what do you say? Usually I just say no thanks, then biotch about it when my credit card bill comes in. Also alot of my friends/family can't afford to spot me a $100 to go out on my boat, so I either go out by myself and pay the whole bill or take them and pay the whole bill. :confused: :confused:

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

I was at LOTO last summer filling up with 4 girls and another guy. All 4 girls chipped in $20 a piece and the guy chipped in nothing, he conveniently left his billfold back at the condo. Anyway, the extra $80 from the girls helped out a lot. My point is, take all the hand outs you can get. After all, you're the one supplying the boat and the entertainment... :D

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Well, this is probably true. I've always had a boat and will probably always have one. The question is what kind. I was thinking upgrading to a bigger boat with twin big blocks this summer but with gas approaching $3/gallon I just couldn't do it.

Probably is true for last summer...we'll see if it holds true for this summer. But I think the prices have reached a threshold where the cost of fuel does matter.

[/QUOTE]

Again, true for last year, but what about this year? Hopefully sales will continue, [most? many?] boats are still made in the USA and that helps the local economy.

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

I was tired of the fuel, insurance, and upkeep on my 42 fountain. Ended up getting a new 29' with twin 350's and a slip on the CT river instead of the dry storage. I plan on hanging out more on the river and at my marina than going offshore. Not sure how I will adjust to the different boat but I sure will save some money.

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

Oh on the topic of people chipping in, I had a similar experience last summer. I had a guy friend who never chiped in for anything, even when he would see his date helping out, and I just don't mean in gas, food, cleaning, beer.... on and on. So about half way through last summer I just stopped inviting anyone who didn't help out, :mad: I have seriously scaled back on who I bring down for the weekend, I mean hell I wish I had a friend that I could go to their lake house ride in their boat, seadoos, eat for free, and sleep in guest rooms all summer, :( Not to sound to pissed but the free ride is over.

The irony is the ones who never help out have already been calling and e-mailing me wanting to know when they can start coming down again, I just blow them off :drink:

As for those friends who have helped out well lets just say we have had fun the last 3 weekends :drink:

WILL

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

I feel the same way,, the free boat rides ALL summer long are over.

Friend borrowed one of my jet ski's,, said he would pay for the gas, I said sure,,, rode the ski around all day and threw me a 20.00,,, ski has a 15 gallon tank, not to mention the quart of oil it used,, Gee glad I could help you out,, had it been me, I would have offered to pay for both ski's just to be on the water.

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

I've been taking friends out on my boats since I was like 10 years old. Of course my parents paid the expenses but only until I was about 16. I was responsible for the gas, insurance, repairs and other costs. In high school my buddies and I would go skiing in the Boston Whaler every weekend. The boat would run all-day long on $6 in gas and 2 cycle oil. Those were the days. As I bought bigger boats, the costs for everything went up significantly. :)
* * *
I think the one thing to consider is that your non-boat owning friends don't appreciate the time and money that goes into these boats. Few of these folks are available when you want to hang upside down in the bilge to swap out a water pump...
They also don't know how much it really costs to buy, insure, store, maintain and fuel up a boat. I've pretty much given up on asking for donations. But I'll take them if they are offered. :)

Re: Fuel Prices & boating
 

Graffrig has a new fuel consumption gauge showing gph. I'm thinking of mounting it in front of the passengers seating area(s). Won't they be surprised when I hit the throttles and it's reading 85 gph. I just ask to cover only the fuel used on the trip... :evilb: