So many great observations here, but the one I keep coming back to is—the economy. People are, in general, working harder and longer to make less money. That translates to reduced "leisure time" (yeah, right) and fewer dollars to spend when you have it.

On the plus side: This year, Jammin on the James had something like 15 fewer boats than it did last year—that's more than a 10 percent decline—but about the same number of participants. That translates to more people in each boat or, as someone here said, a form of recreational "carpooling." I've observed the same at a couple of Florida Powerboat Club poker runs as well.

I also know of performance-boat owners who run shorter distances and do a whole lot more floating offshore to reduce fuel costs. I realize that's not much of an adrenaline shot, but frankly I can't think of many better ways to spend a day on the water.

Actually, on this note, my wedding is scheduled at a lake and it is openly known the boat is going to be there. Makes the wedding fun for me too! Oct 1, TX, weather should be great still

Now that could be a wedding one would be happy to attend

Yea, originally I wanted it to be in the Keys after a PR but she would not greenlight that idea.

The older I get, the more I seem to do my boating during quiet times. I just don't want to deal with the crowds and nonsense that comes along with the crowd. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the raft-up once in a while. With all the BWI laws and knuckle heads out their, I just don't enjoy it like I used to. I work my butt off and put in many hours in my business, when I'm not working I want to be stress free. I do most of my boating during the week from 6 PM-9 PM. (When I say "BWI" laws, I am all for them, however you don't have to be intoxicated to get a Boating While Intoxicated around here, and that I'm against)

We find ourselves going out on Monday, Tue, Wed afternoons a lot. Have the whole lake to ourselves.