Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

[samm835]

I was thinking the other day as I was crossing the bridge that goes over our lake. There is a local repo shop near my house....and this year there business has probably doubles as far as Rec. toys being repo'd. Numerous boats in there lot, so I was thinking do you think with the economy still struggling, do you think you will see a good bit less boats on your lakes this year? I am sure at my local lake there will be less, because either repo, no money for gas or for whatever the reasons maybe, but I was curious to what you guys/girls see in your area for this years boating.

 

[FLWakeRider]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

I do think overall there will be big decline in boating.
But, not in my area. Alot of our boaters are retired men in fishing boats.
I doubt they are being hurt by the economy right now.
I do know that the orlando Craiglist has some boats up for sale that are fairly new.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

I don't think too much, times aren't that much different from last summer and there were plenty of boaters out every weekend here last summer, and of course the obligatory cigarette boat races between here and Chicago every weekend.

Mewonders will gas prices be less, more or about the same as last summer ?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

I doubt there will be a decline unless the recession sticks around for a few years. There will likely be more boaters this year because gas is so cheap (relatively) compared to last year.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

the big days, Memorial, 4th July, Labor Day, i see no decline. in between these days, yes i see a decline in use. But Not for me. Dog kibble, salt, pepper, garlic, hot water, ain't so bad, as long as the boat has gas.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

But Not for me. Dog kibble, salt, pepper, garlic, hot water, ain't so bad, as long as the boat has gas.

X2

 

[cbavier]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

What do I see? A lot of Ice. The Lakes are covered.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

I think we will see a decline around here. Lot of folk geared by the auto industry status and related businesses. I already see a lot of peoples "toys" out for sale and the snow has only just melted. Other peoples "toys" that were stored up for winter on their properties have "gone" between then and now. It is really sad to see as well as repossessed houses coming on the market more and more.
As said in earlier posts. Those that still have them will most likely be out and about on the major weekends but probably very little in between.
Having said that I may just get a sweet deal on another boat this season because of it.
Time will tell.

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

NOt sure about a decline, but maybe a good deal on a boat is in my future!

 

[ne7800]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

i'm wishing for a decline around here make easier on the local boaters

 

[cbavier]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

Seriously last year the Campgrounds had a lot of empty sites and the lake usuage was real low throughout the week. very few boaters. The weekends seemed about normal though on the lake. This year I expect to see even more of a decline in usage for both. On my street out of nine homes. Two were in Bankruptcy. One sold last fall for 1/2 the market value of 2008 the other one is still empty. Nobody is buying. The Rv dealers, Car dealers sales is hurting as well as Boat sales. Not even the used boats or RV's are selling.
the last I heard Unemployment was like 12.8 %. The only thing up seems to be Groceries and property Taxes.

 

[Don S]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

Last year lots of people didn't take their boats out due to the $5.00 a gallon gas prices. So much for last summer. This summer, no one is buying new. Time to fix up the old for one more season. They are all going crazy from not being out last year because of the price of gas. So expect to see a lot of broken down boats because people that have no clue about mechanics are trying to fix things they know nothing about without any help.
Probably see a record number of boats broken, both at the ramp and out on the water.

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

Might see a decrease in this part of the world Elkhart, Lagrange, and Noble county's have the highest unemployment rate in the state I'm also seeing lake properties going up for sale and not selling.
On the other hand it is entirely possible we will see a lot of people around here out on the lake so they won't go hungry
Get back with me around the end of august and I'll be able to predict what people will do

jamie

 

[ebry710]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

Around here the boat shops are dying off. My mechanic has seen a decline in his business. I think in No. California there will be less people on lakes.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

Last year lots of people didn't take their boats out due to the $5.00 a gallon gas prices. So much for last summer. This summer, no one is buying new. Time to fix up the old for one more season. They are all going crazy from not being out last year because of the price of gas. So expect to see a lot of broken down boats because people that have no clue about mechanics are trying to fix things they know nothing about without any help.
Probably see a record number of boats broken, both at the ramp and out on the water.

I may get that "sweet deal" I was looking for from one of them !!!! LOL

 

[smclear]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

I noticed a decline last year on my lake in northern Indiana. The only weekend that seemed normal was July 4th. Could have been the cost of gas. I don't really know. I just enjoyed the lighter traffic. As for this summer, only time will tell. I do believe gas will begin to creep up in cost (it always does in the summer). Whether it reaches last years level, who knows. Northern Indiana has been hit pretty hard by the current economical conditions but I don't think that will affect the folks at my lake (Wawasee - for all the N. Indiana folks). The lake is mostly filled with "second homes" from people in Indianapolis, Chicago and the like. The tax rate is too high for most local folks to actually have a place on the water.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

The impact of the recession has been somewhat delayed in the New Orleans area because of all the reconstruction that is still going on. Because of this, I think that I saw more of an impact last summer, when gas prices were so bad.

We are slowly getting hit with the same issues as everyone else, though. I'm seeing alot of boats for sale on Craigslist, etc. Some of them even say "bills to pay," "lost my job" and so on. Even the prices sometimes make me wonder - I have been seeing alot of old, small aluminum flat boats (very common around these parts) with even older motors on them, for $1,500 - $2,000. The rigs involved really should go for about a thousand or less. When I see these, I wonder if the unrealistic asking prices stem from desperation, tied to a need to pay bills or catch up on a mortgage.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

I think there has been less traffic on the roads, slightly.

There seem to not be as many back ups as before. Just the occasional slow down, but not stopped.

The one good thing about people loosing their jobs, more room on the road for the rest of us.

Around Baltimore, the roads all need about 2 or 3 more lanes added to them.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

I feel for those people that are no longer on the roads and lakes because of the economy.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Bad Economy - Less People on the lakes?

Well, if it gets real bad, we can put everyone to work expanding our roads.

Every interstate needs to be doubled.

I mean 3 lanes for the baltimore beltway is just redicolous. There are certain sections that WILL back up every day to about 20 MPH, on the good days.

Take those unemployed, and start widening every road.