On 16 May 2007 09:18:37 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:
On May 16, 8:53 am, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 16 May 2007 07:28:39 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:
You're rooting and hoping for a collapse of the powerboat industry?
Especially large powerboats?
I don't know about large powerboats, but I stopped to visit a friend
of mine at the old Lake Webster Marina this morning and he was just
flat out depressed. Hasn't sold a new boat in 8 months and he's more
more used boats on consignment than I've ever seen there - easily 60
boats - all mid-range from 25K to 60k.
Gotta wonder about that.
It's not fair, (and life is seldom fair), but the guys shopping boats
in the 25-60K range will often be far more affected by high fuel
prices than people spending ten times as much.
I was aboard a very nice new boat on Monday that runs well, but burns
51 gph to make 31 knots. At fuel dock prices, that's in the vicinity
of $500 for a two-hour run at 31 knots. (ouch)
The buyer who can spend $300k to buy that boat will *still* feel the
pain at the pump, but fuel will be somewhat insignificant compared to
other expenses.
A boater who is maybe even making monthly payments on a $25,000 marine
mortgage
just to get out on the water is far more likely to be driven out of
the pastime entirely if his fuel bill for a day even begins to
approach $500. When boating 2-3 days per month starts to cost people
$1000 or more in fuel costs, the middle income earners and below will
begin fleeing the scene. That seems to be reflected in your friend's
experience at his marina.
A lot of the showboater/speed-demon boat market will dry up, but those
who simply like to be on the water shouldn't have a problem.
Skiers and wakeboarders will get hit the hardest. Inefficient big
sportsfishers too. Big boats with sleeping quarters whose owners
really love being on the water will think harder about cruising, but
won't see a pressing need to dump the boat, especially since resale
values will be low and marina costs actually might go down.
Might be more interest in slow/ugly but efficient trawlers for
cruisers. And skiffs for fishing - since they are gas misers. You
won't keep fishermen off the water.
That's all just my idle speculation.
Personally, I've always been averse to using more fuel than necessary,
so I'll make no adjustments due to fuel prices.
Either a 19-24' skiff if I decide to just fish, or a 26-30' sailboat
if I decide to cruise. Doesn't matter what gas costs.
I got over that hurdle decades ago.
Here's a link to a Mississippi boating story that might interest you.
http://home.att.net/~a.emmons/ahchap1.htm
I liked it, and read the whole thing.
This trip was a disaster waiting to happen - luckily it didn't.
There are boats and there are boats, and this post reminded my
of something a guy in this journal named Rowboat Jimmy said.
Jimmy had "dropped out" and rowed all over the inland waterways
on some kind of rowboat never fully described.
Jimmy's arms were brawny, but he said rowing was hard on the back.
The journal author was trying to be helpful to Jimmy.
"While discussing river travel, I suggested, "Some modifications could
be made to his rowboat to provide sailing capacity." He came back
casually, "But then it wouldn’t be a rowboat."
That about sums it up.
--Vic
--Vic