Fuel prices

[Bruce San]

I was wondering if anyone out there has any information (or knows where to get it) on what effect current fuel prices are having on boat sales.

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Fuel prices

Funny you should say that Bruce. I just watched a delivery of new boats come to a dealer in the where I work, and was thinking to myself that I bet large boat sales are going to be going down.<br /><br />I guess my feeling on this, not supported by impiral data, is that if you can afford the boat you can afford the fuel. Although I say that with the knowledge that people buy homes all the time and never look at the taxes. They can afford the home but not the taxes.

 

[AntsGrady]

Re: Fuel prices

Sure glad I'm all filled up!!! About a month ago I stored 35 gallons. Every little bit helps as it seems it may go up to 3.00 a gallon. Not gonna be easy to handle with a 225........but can you put a price on happiness??

 

[RatFish]

Re: Fuel prices

I'm not sure about boat sales but I won't turn down too many offers to chip in for gas!

 

[SeaJayacas]

Re: Fuel prices

Or instead of slowing down sales have any sales shifted from larger, higher powered and less efficient to smaller, lower powered and more efficient?<br /><br />Of does such a shift remove the pleasures of boating for most.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Fuel prices

I'll bet them "go fast" boat sales slow down...... As far as family cruisers go, people may want more amenities on board so they can overnight close to the home port. With bigger boats you can drive out friday night, and anchor all weekend, and let the kids use the inflateable or other economically runable runabouts..... Whereas smaller boats seem to run all day, back and forth and back and forth....

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: Fuel prices

When inflation is taken into account, fuel prices have actually been on a steady decline since 1981, when a gallon of regular was $3.00/USG in today's dollars. However, large adjustments like we are seeing now make it difficult for the average person to...well, adjust.<br /><br />Here's an article and chart:<br /> http://inflationdata.com/Inflation/Inflation_Rate/Gasoline_Inflation.asp <br /><br />Didja know that in the 1920s people were paying the equivalent of more than $4.00/USG?

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Fuel prices

Global economist put fuel prices in the US as rising until the $5+/gal mark.<br /><br />People that have (big) money always have (big) money. When the economy tanked a few years ago and everyone clamped down on spending, the sales of new $200,000.00+ boats jumped.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Fuel prices

Thats what was selling at Miami. Big, expensive boats. Go-fast and go-not-so-fast.

 

[BillP]

Re: Fuel prices

If you look at 30 yr old history...When gas prices skyrocked in the 1970s, powerboat sales plummeted. That's when the sailboat business boomed. At the same time, used private aircraft values dropped enough to make a buyers market.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Fuel prices

Don't think we will see gas go as high as some are predicting. O.P.E.C. can can produce a whole lot more, in the mean time it is now worth while for oil companies to invest the money in producing in North America. It comes down to economics, O.P.E.C. does not want us to be self sufficient, who they going to sell to.. China? they won't let prices go up to 100$ a barrell, it would hurt them too much.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[John McFarlane]

Re: Fuel prices

Petrol is just over $5 a gallon for the standard crap and $5.40 for higher octane in Australia. That is still over $4 American. Think of us next time you are threatened with $3 a gallon.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Fuel prices

What is surely one if not the biggest factor in pushing up gas prices is our inability so far to increase our refineries output and curb our ever increasing demand for more fossil fuel.

 

[skipperjohn]

Re: Fuel prices

This is one of the reasons we are planning on cruising the NY state Canal System. I don't plan on taking my cruiser above 10mpr. There are lots of communities that have spent millions on upgrading the Erie Canal waterfront in their towns. We live in Lockport NY and east of us on the canal are many villiges to visit and spend the night. We may have to spend a wopping $10.00 for the hookup. I may end up spending more this year than in the past if the First Mate ends up doing a lot of shopping in the little shops and botiques. Be creative and you can have a great boating season with out spending it all on Fuel.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Fuel prices

Gas is 90 cent per litre. works out to about $4 per US gallon. When I fill my boat up, I'll ask if the the Cashier has a gun near the till. If the answer is yes, I'll ask him/her to point it at me. I feel more comfortable if there is a weapon when I'm being robbed.

 

[Nittany]

Re: Fuel prices

Well, first of all I couldn't agree more with BillP. I remember the sailboat boom.<br /><br />An acquaintance of mine owns several convenience store/gas stations in this area. He tells me we're looking at 3 bucks a gallon before the end of the summer.<br /><br />I think maybe we'll see a decline in certain activities like tubing. I think folks will pull back on the throttle a bit.<br /><br />These big performance craft - Formulas and the like - these people are extremely affluent and will not likely let fuel prices dicate their habits.<br /><br />I've got a little 26' cuddy. I won't be planning any long trips at 3 bucks a gallon.

 

[Mr.Ladyfish]

Re: Fuel prices

We typically burn 20 to 30 gal. each day we fish. A lot of that is running from one end of the bay to the other. If gas hits $3.00 I don't see us changing much. If it gets over that we may cut back or fish one end of the bay one day and the other the next. Damm fish always seem to know which end we're at any way.

 

[s1jor]

Re: Fuel prices

over here in the uk, fuel prices are already up to nearly £4 sterling, which i guess is nearly 7 or 8 dollars a gallon you guys should think ya self lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Fuel prices

The prices are effecting sales in the midwest. Autos, trucks and recreational vehicles including boats. Our governments fail to realize the inflated energy prices are hurting the economy globally. We elected these brain dead people to help. Insted they investigate steroids in sports. Brilliant!!!

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Fuel prices

Kind of makes you wonder if they could ever find a way to recharge a hybrid motor on a boat(use braking with autos) what that immediate torque would do for a hole shot to get on plane!