Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864,
Date: August 29, 2006

BOATU.S. SAYS SUMMER BOATING SEASON WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED

With Labor Day marking the end of the summer recreational boating
season for many Americans, BoatU.S. reports that some good weather,
some great fishing and a less-than-anticipated impact of fuel prices
have kept boaters boating and it's on-the-water towboats busy this year
helping disabled vessels, providing fuel drop-offs and tows back to
port.

BoatU.S. on-the-water towing companies, --TowBoatU.S. and Vessel Assist
-- report the following general observations on recreational boating
activity:

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic: Continued good weather has meant more boats on
the water and an increase in requests for on-the-water assistance over
last year. However, in the north boating activity is expected to wind
down shortly after the Labor Day holiday. If hurricane activity stays
low and if fuel prices continue to soften, the fall boating season
could remain strong in Mid-Atlantic states, including more snow bird
boaters heading south through the ICW.

Florida: Boating is booming as hurricanes have stayed away -- so far
-- and some boaters, having lost vessels in recent back-to-back years
of storm activity, are returning to the water in new boats.

Gulf: Still greatly affected by the 2005 hurricane season,
recreational boating in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama has
dramatically decreased. Much needed boating-related infrastructure,
such as boat clubs, marinas and service yards continue to struggle to
rebuild.

California: "The season is not over and we plan to go full speed well
into October with phenomenal fishing," reports Vessel Assist San Diego
owner, Capt. Robert Butler. "The difference between this year and
last year is 'buddy boating,' or the practice of fishermen sharing
trips to the fishing grounds," he adds. Unusually warm water and less
red tide throughout the Southern California coast is helping the trend.
"We see no end sight with the current weather pattern," says Butler,
who says he'll be delaying the seasonal lay up of part of his fleet to
meet continued demand.

Pacific Northwest: With less than a quarter inch of rain since early
July, waterway traffic has been generally above average -- especially
on Seattle's Lake Washington. Fuel prices spiked in 2005 but since
then have remained stable or slightly decreased, allowing many power
boaters to return to their old summer cruising patterns in the San Juan
Islands and beyond.

Great Lakes: With "The best walleye fishing in 10 years" reported by
Capt. Vern Mienke of Lake Erie's TowBoatU.S. South Shore, recreational
boating traffic has been up. With a short season, Great Lakes boaters
have enthusiastically responded to good summer weather patterns.

Midwest/Inland: Capt. Charles Meyer of TowBoatU.S. Lake of the Ozarks
says that volume has been up, especially weekday boating activity.
"It's not as concentrated on the weekends anymore, and boaters are
still spending more time in raft ups rather than burning fuel."

Why Recreational Boaters Call for Assistance
Nationally, the top five reported reasons why boaters called for
assistance a

1. Unknown engine failu 49%
2. Grounding: 16%
3. Out of fuel or other fuel problems: 10%
4. Battery jump starts or electrical problems: 12%
5. Engine overheating: 4%

Often referred to as the "boat owners auto club," BoatU.S. Towing
Services offers on-the-water assistance plans starting at around $30 a
year and has over 500 response vessels at 260 ports across the country.
Boaters can call 800-888-4869 or visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Towing
for more information.

###

Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
 

Harry Krause wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864,
Date: August 29, 2006

BOATU.S. SAYS SUMMER BOATING SEASON WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED

With Labor Day marking the end of the summer recreational boating
season for many Americans, BoatU.S. reports that some good weather,
some great fishing and a less-than-anticipated impact of fuel prices
have kept boaters boating and it's on-the-water towboats busy this year
helping disabled vessels, providing fuel drop-offs and tows back to
port.

BoatU.S. on-the-water towing companies, --TowBoatU.S. and Vessel Assist
-- report the following general observations on recreational boating
activity:

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic: Continued good weather has meant more boats on
the water and an increase in requests for on-the-water assistance over
last year.


D'oh. Well, certainly a towboat operation should know if its business is
up over the previous year, but what stats is BOAT/US using to prove that
there are "more boats on the water" than last year?

The release relies upon the observations made by the marine
professionals quoted in the text. I only noted a couple of regions
where boating activity was reportedly up from last year, one region
(Gulf Coast) where it is down for some obvious reasons, and some others
(like California) where some modification of behavior has been
reported.

Hence my headline: no general, nationwide decrease in boating activity.
Most regions are observed by the quoted towboat operators to be about
the same or slightly better than last year.

Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
 

Harry Krause wrote:

My observation is that it is way down from last season here on the
"western" shore.

And mine would be that people are still using their boats about as
often as ever in the Pacific NW, but making shorter trips and operating
at slower speeds. (Except some of the big block gas burners; a lot of
the older boats with a pair of twin 454's belong to normal, everyday
working guys and you know they have to be walloped in the wallet just
trying to keep some of those older boats up on plane....)

Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
 

On 29 Aug 2006 11:42:51 -0700, "Chuck Gould"
wrote:


Harry Krause wrote:

My observation is that it is way down from last season here on the
"western" shore.

And mine would be that people are still using their boats about as
often as ever in the Pacific NW, but making shorter trips and operating
at slower speeds. (Except some of the big block gas burners; a lot of
the older boats with a pair of twin 454's belong to normal, everyday
working guys and you know they have to be walloped in the wallet just
trying to keep some of those older boats up on plane....)

According to the folks at my marina, the boating hasn't slowed
significantly, if at all. Weekend before last there were as many boats at
my favorite 'boater's beach' as last year.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
 

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
. ..

Chuck Gould wrote:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864,
Date: August 29, 2006

BOATU.S. SAYS SUMMER BOATING SEASON WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED

With Labor Day marking the end of the summer recreational boating
season for many Americans, BoatU.S. reports that some good weather,
some great fishing and a less-than-anticipated impact of fuel prices
have kept boaters boating and it's on-the-water towboats busy this year
helping disabled vessels, providing fuel drop-offs and tows back to
port.

BoatU.S. on-the-water towing companies, --TowBoatU.S. and Vessel Assist
-- report the following general observations on recreational boating
activity:

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic: Continued good weather has meant more boats on
the water and an increase in requests for on-the-water assistance over
last year.


D'oh. Well, certainly a towboat operation should know if its business is
up over the previous year, but what stats is BOAT/US using to prove that
there are "more boats on the water" than last year?

More frequent out of fuel calls.

Eisboch

Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwidedecrease in boating
 

JohnH wrote:
On 29 Aug 2006 11:42:51 -0700, "Chuck Gould"
wrote:

Harry Krause wrote:

My observation is that it is way down from last season here on the
"western" shore.
And mine would be that people are still using their boats about as
often as ever in the Pacific NW, but making shorter trips and operating
at slower speeds. (Except some of the big block gas burners; a lot of
the older boats with a pair of twin 454's belong to normal, everyday
working guys and you know they have to be walloped in the wallet just
trying to keep some of those older boats up on plane....)

According to the folks at my marina, the boating hasn't slowed
significantly, if at all. Weekend before last there were as many boats at
my favorite 'boater's beach' as last year.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

I see less boats cruising, and more boats anchored or beached enjoying
the water. People used to run from one end of the lake to the other in
their large houseboats and 50' yackts, just to sightsee, they now are
being a little more frugal. The smaller runabouts are still as busy as
ever with skiers and toys. The coves close to the large marinas fill up
early on the weekends. "Cocktail Cove" is a busy as ever.

Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
 

On 29 Aug 2006 11:42:51 -0700, "Chuck Gould"
wrote:

(Except some of the big block gas burners; a lot of
the older boats with a pair of twin 454's belong to normal, everyday
working guys and you know they have to be walloped in the wallet just
trying to keep some of those older boats up on plane....)

Only about $120 an hour in direct operating costs... :-)

Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
 

On Tue, 29 Aug 2006 15:56:36 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
On 29 Aug 2006 11:42:51 -0700, "Chuck Gould"
wrote:

Harry Krause wrote:

My observation is that it is way down from last season here on the
"western" shore.
And mine would be that people are still using their boats about as
often as ever in the Pacific NW, but making shorter trips and operating
at slower speeds. (Except some of the big block gas burners; a lot of
the older boats with a pair of twin 454's belong to normal, everyday
working guys and you know they have to be walloped in the wallet just
trying to keep some of those older boats up on plane....)

According to the folks at my marina, the boating hasn't slowed
significantly, if at all. Weekend before last there were as many boats at
my favorite 'boater's beach' as last year.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

I see less boats cruising, and more boats anchored or beached enjoying
the water. People used to run from one end of the lake to the other in
their large houseboats and 50' yackts, just to sightsee, they now are
being a little more frugal. The smaller runabouts are still as busy as
ever with skiers and toys. The coves close to the large marinas fill up
early on the weekends. "Cocktail Cove" is a busy as ever.

The 'boating' has remained. The 'gas wasting' has decreased.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
 

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
ups.com...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864,
Date: August 29, 2006

BOATU.S. SAYS SUMMER BOATING SEASON WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED

With Labor Day marking the end of the summer recreational boating
season for many Americans, BoatU.S. reports that some good weather,
some great fishing and a less-than-anticipated impact of fuel prices
have kept boaters boating and it's on-the-water towboats busy this year
helping disabled vessels, providing fuel drop-offs and tows back to
port.

BoatU.S. on-the-water towing companies, --TowBoatU.S. and Vessel Assist
-- report the following general observations on recreational boating
activity:

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic: Continued good weather has meant more boats on
the water and an increase in requests for on-the-water assistance over
last year. However, in the north boating activity is expected to wind
down shortly after the Labor Day holiday. If hurricane activity stays
low and if fuel prices continue to soften, the fall boating season
could remain strong in Mid-Atlantic states, including more snow bird
boaters heading south through the ICW.

Florida: Boating is booming as hurricanes have stayed away -- so far
-- and some boaters, having lost vessels in recent back-to-back years
of storm activity, are returning to the water in new boats.

Gulf: Still greatly affected by the 2005 hurricane season,
recreational boating in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama has
dramatically decreased. Much needed boating-related infrastructure,
such as boat clubs, marinas and service yards continue to struggle to
rebuild.

California: "The season is not over and we plan to go full speed well
into October with phenomenal fishing," reports Vessel Assist San Diego
owner, Capt. Robert Butler. "The difference between this year and
last year is 'buddy boating,' or the practice of fishermen sharing
trips to the fishing grounds," he adds. Unusually warm water and less
red tide throughout the Southern California coast is helping the trend.
"We see no end sight with the current weather pattern," says Butler,
who says he'll be delaying the seasonal lay up of part of his fleet to
meet continued demand.

Pacific Northwest: With less than a quarter inch of rain since early
July, waterway traffic has been generally above average -- especially
on Seattle's Lake Washington. Fuel prices spiked in 2005 but since
then have remained stable or slightly decreased, allowing many power
boaters to return to their old summer cruising patterns in the San Juan
Islands and beyond.

Great Lakes: With "The best walleye fishing in 10 years" reported by
Capt. Vern Mienke of Lake Erie's TowBoatU.S. South Shore, recreational
boating traffic has been up. With a short season, Great Lakes boaters
have enthusiastically responded to good summer weather patterns.

Midwest/Inland: Capt. Charles Meyer of TowBoatU.S. Lake of the Ozarks
says that volume has been up, especially weekday boating activity.
"It's not as concentrated on the weekends anymore, and boaters are
still spending more time in raft ups rather than burning fuel."

Why Recreational Boaters Call for Assistance
Nationally, the top five reported reasons why boaters called for
assistance a

1. Unknown engine failu 49%
2. Grounding: 16%
3. Out of fuel or other fuel problems: 10%
4. Battery jump starts or electrical problems: 12%
5. Engine overheating: 4%

Often referred to as the "boat owners auto club," BoatU.S. Towing
Services offers on-the-water assistance plans starting at around $30 a
year and has over 500 response vessels at 260 ports across the country.
Boaters can call 800-888-4869 or visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Towing
for more information.

###


Good conditions on Lake Erie this year? We have had more than our share of
weekends washed out by rain or white caps, with this holiday weekend
predicted to be in that group.

Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
 

JimH wrote:

Good conditions on Lake Erie this year? We have had more than our share of
weekends washed out by rain or white caps, with this holiday weekend
predicted to be in that group.

You wouldn't get much boating done in the Pacific NW if you were put
off by rain or by whitecaps. I guess it's a reasonable trade; we don't
get the hot as Hades summer weather you enjoy back in the midwest and
nobody up here does much swimming in the salt water......but on the
other hand those folks who don't mind wearing a rain slicker and
willing to put up with some moderate chop can go boating at least one
or two weekends
every month of the year.