FishinJC wrote:

Your first sentence is on the mark. Your third sentence, however, is, in my
opinion, a little off. Some folks pay for storage, maintenance, service,
repair, insurance, and boat payments. Eliminating the bundle, not just the
gasoline, can make a meaningful financial difference for some. For some,
boat ownership really is a luxury item when compared to their family budget
and in spite of reports that our economy is healthy, times have been getting
tougher for most people I know. As you say, though, for some it may have
something to do with a cooled passion for boating.


I think my 3rd sentance is further validated by what you said. With so
many expenses involved in owning a boat, I don't think that an extra
few bucks at the pump is all that big a deal. I've invested so much
time and money already, rising fuel costs be damned, I'm taking out my
boat.

I was only commenting on gas prices. You are right, off loading an
entire boat is a huge budget saver. Gas prices won't keep people off
the water, a declining economy, lost money on investments and economic
fear with keep for sale signs on boat though.

I don't know, someone can still be passionate enough about boating that
the gas prices won't "keep them off the water," and yet still be
affected enough by those gas prices that they might boat less. Unless
someone's boating just consists of a short hop to their favorite
hangout and just staying there all day (which is the case for a lot of
boaters I think), I can certainly see a boater's being able to feel the
effect of the skyrocketing price of gas if they like to go farther
distances and use their boat often. That's how it is for me. I'll
still find room in my budget to take out my waverunner, of course, but
that budget isn't infinite, and after my mortgage, bills, and stuff
like that, the amount left over for my boating just won't take me as
far, as often, as it did in years past (especially if you go back two
years or more!).

richforman