High Gas Prices

[mkrupp]

Just wondering if anyone will be changing their boating use this summer because of the the high fuel prices? Just a little survey is all. As long as you keep you engine in good shape and tuned up and don't run w.o.t. you should be getting the best use of fuel no??

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: High Gas Prices

I love to boat so I'll just have to ante up. My habits won't change, just mignt not go quite as often is all.

 

[QC]

Re: High Gas Prices

I'm backing down on the longer cruises a little, but we will pretty much do the same number of trips etc. I may boat more at a place called the Parker Strip. It's only 16 miles long, so I find it a little harder to make 70 mile trips . . .

 

[erikgreen]

Re: High Gas Prices

Our boating season is short, and I've pretty much decided that I don't want to skip parts of it to save cash. It's pretty much an either/or choice - I can either take a vacation in early 2009 or boat this summer, and I choose to boat.

I do wish I could run my boat on biodiesel, solar, ethanol, or some other cheap way, but a repower or boat switch would cost more than just ponying up for now... if this sort of pricing continues a few years I'm thinking a big sailboat would be good.

Erik

 

[mtpawn]

Re: High Gas Prices

what about ethanol can we use a blend in our outboard motors ?

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: High Gas Prices

Probably do a bit more fishing using the trolling motor and less riding around.

 

[5150abf]

Re: High Gas Prices

I build boats for a living and gas prices are killing us.
Our production is off 20% this year and we are doing really well compared to our competition, I heard this week 4 companies have gone out of business.
Last year at this time we were doing 28 a day and 26 every other Sat. now we are at 18-4 days a week and I have heard some of our comp. is down to 5 a day 4 days a week, it is pretty bleak.
I am a supervisor so it hasn't hit me to much except for some lost OT.
I fish every other week,carefully negotiated over 21 years of marriage, and I don't see me cutting down any, of coarse I don't have to buy lake gas either which helps.
I saw on the way home it was up to $3.45 reg unleaded.
The weather is almost nice enough to get the bike out, it gets @ 50 mpg, a little better than my Ranger.
Of coarse the poor oil companies are losing money cause they spend so much looking for oil, ya and I have a really nice bridge for sale...

 

[theboatster]

Re: High Gas Prices

Oil closed at $108.50 a barrel today with projections of $4.00+ a gal. for gas during the summer. Our oil producing "friends" in the Middle East and South America are just raking it in.
Is it possible to attach a sail to a Boston Whaler?

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: High Gas Prices

we'r going more. we found we like to camp more on the boat so we moved up to a boat that will alow us to do that in more comfort.
we'll be spending less time crusing and more time on the hook though.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: High Gas Prices

For the most part I will have no change in my gasoline usage. I plan on cruising alot more though. No petroleum based hydrocarbons to power the "cruiser".

I will also be sailing more. I expect to see fewer power boats on the lakes this year.

There is no price on the time spent with my son playing in the fish and ski so I will suck it up for that.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: High Gas Prices

We're bucking the trend and actually increasing our boat outings. That's because we're newbies and didn't boat at all last year!!

New rig arrived at dealer two weeks ago. There's still ice on lakes. Will pick it up on the 25th. Take final exam for Power Squadron class on 28th. Can't wait!

 

[scoutabout]

Re: High Gas Prices

Less beer!

Actually, I'm seriously thinking of getting back into sailing. Just get something small and fun to introduce my kid to the sport like my dad did for me way back when. I just love being on the water and could easily see my boating become at least 50 percent or more sailing as gas prices rise.

As for the Scout -- I'm thinking of making more of an effort to gas up on land versus water. Those freakin marina gas prices are insane. I actually thought of fabricating a trailer around a 50 gal oil drum or something for refuelling the boat. Buy more sooner then keep it near the dock with a hand pump.

That said, I'm still going to try to do a couple long rides this summer and explore some new lakes or revisit familiar ones and try not to think about the cost. Part of the problem is that -- where we keep the boat it's $50 there and back for gas just to get the family to the cabin. I've gotta spend that before I've even set foot on the dock.

 

[JB]

Re: High Gas Prices

Well, gas cost is not the only reason, but I have sold my boat and tow vehicle.

When I go to Lake Of The Woods this year I will fish only with guides, and at home I will put a canoe or small Jon on my fishpond.

 

[brandonsb22]

Re: High Gas Prices

Go slower and fish smaller lakes. I just got my first boat so I am not slowing down unless my wifes gets mad.

 

[dave11]

Re: High Gas Prices

I have a 4 stroke that gets good mileage. I am trying to get my wife out more often.

 

[dingbat]

Re: High Gas Prices

I filled up the boat yesterday and had quite a shock. The final tally was $485 and some change and will last me less than a week of fishing.......and thats on a 22" boat.

Will fish as much as ever but will try and take people to help pay expenses. I certainly will not be taking as many solo trips as usual.

 

[UB]

Re: High Gas Prices

Trips out with the wife aren't too bad because she's not the WOT type. When it comes to fishing (and that's what I'm all about) it means a pretty good trip down the river to salt water. Those trips are always with a friend or 2 and it's just a fact of life that we split the fuel costs. If you want to fish, you gotta help pay for gas. I'm lucky that I have plenty of friends who are always willing to go. I could trailer it closer to where I fish and save a little but it wouldn't be as much fun.

 

[Dave K.]

Re: High Gas Prices

not sure how the gas will "temper" my boating this year. i really don't think too much though, my boat is pretty good on gas & so is the car while towing. i gave up the cigarettes (so far anyway) & that's about 50 bucks a week right there. i try to avoid fueling on the lake unless i have to so as long as prices don't go too high my weekends will stay the same... good thread!

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: High Gas Prices

We don't go far and only burn 1/4 - 1/2 tank per trip with a 20 gallon tank. It's a new boat so I plan to use it as much as possible!

 

[thurps]

Re: High Gas Prices

Looked in the classified ads this morning and there were 11 boats and 17 RV's. I have never seen more than 3 boats and maybe half a dozen RV's at one time. Pretty sad.