(sni[[ed)
Almost everybody who dropped out mentioned
fuel costs as either the main reason or one of the more important
reasons for cancelling."

I've noticed on the river in front of my home this year, that while the
number of boats hasn't seemed to decrease, the size and obvious cost of
those boats seems to have dramatically increased. Some of these boats
belong over on Lake Michigan rather that a medium sized inland river. Not
many small boats pulling water skiers. One boat running two very large
outboards and going well over the 45mph speed limit on the river. I'm
guessing that these people are saving on the cost of trailering to bigger
water and taking advantage of less small boat traffic due to gas costs.
Can't wait 'till the water level drops and these "new to this stretch of
water" boaters, start running up on the big sand bar across from my place.
It's soft enough that no one gets hurt or damages boat, but watching them
get out of the boat and push is always interesting. But then, no one has
hit it, going at the speed these idiots are running.

Tom G.