My family and I can actually save money boating rather than take a
trip to something like ...Six Flags. Butning 20 gal. in a day (I don't
burn that much, though) is still cheaper than three tickets to the
amuzement park, not counting driving 150 mi. one way to spend a day
baking in the sun eating a $4.00 hot dog, and standing in line for an
hr. to ride some 2 minute whirli-gig.

Boating for me is a whole lot more funa nd a whole lot less cost.



Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
Got this on a Sea//Tow bulletin.

Not sure I believe it.

Rising Gas Prices Not an Issue for Boaters

In a recent press release, the National Marine Manufacturers
Association (NMMA) reported that despite rising gas prices, 94 percent
of American boaters will be out on the water this summer as usual. The
report was a result of a national study of 1,999 U.S. boaters
conducted earlier last month and also revealed that while 57 percent
of boaters' vacation plans will be affected by rising gas prices,
they're more likely to curtail other activities, such as dining out,
entertainment and driving before they cut down on their boating time.

Sea Tow recently conducted its own independent poll of 4,000 active
boaters, in partnership with Harris Interactive's Marine Research
Division, in which 66.8 percent said they expect to continue boating
and plan to maintain their current equipment (25.4 percent also
planned to upgrade from their current boat).

Last year, according to the NMMA, boating participation increased to
71.3 million overall participants, up 2.3 million from the 2004
figures. New boat unit sales remained steady in 2005, with less than a
one percent decrease for a total of 864,450 units.

More boats are for sale becuase people are scared about money and
investments and unloading debt is a popular thing to do in an uncertain
economy. I heard a news report that a $1.00 increase in the fuel price
is only about 1% increase in the average family budget. So if a 1%
increase in your monthly budget causes you to stop boating, you never
loved it in the first place.

"Tim" wrote in message
ups.com...
My family and I can actually save money boating rather than take a
trip to something like ...Six Flags. Butning 20 gal. in a day (I don't
burn that much, though) is still cheaper than three tickets to the
amuzement park, not counting driving 150 mi. one way to spend a day
baking in the sun eating a $4.00 hot dog, and standing in line for an
hr. to ride some 2 minute whirli-gig.

Boating for me is a whole lot more funa nd a whole lot less cost.


Well said.

"FishinJC" wrote in message
ups.com...

More boats are for sale becuase people are scared about money and
investments and unloading debt is a popular thing to do in an uncertain
economy. I heard a news report that a $1.00 increase in the fuel price
is only about 1% increase in the average family budget. So if a 1%
increase in your monthly budget causes you to stop boating, you never
loved it in the first place.


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.

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.

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