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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. |
Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message ps.com... 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. Yep. We never had a desire to take the boat out on rainy days or in rough water conditions, even with our 32 footer as we have other things to do. We also never owned a boat that kept us captive (while underway) in an enclosed pilothouse each and every time we took it out or to have to travel in a boat with a maximum speed of 10 knots. Different strokes................. ;-) |
Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
On Tue, 29 Aug 2006 18:38:10 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote: 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. Boy, *that* sounds like fun. Bundle up the kids, make sure your fillings are in tight, and let's go boating. Nice scenery while you shiver though. |
Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
In article . com,
says... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, Date: August 29, 2006 BOATU.S. SAYS SUMMER BOATING SEASON WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED "Better Than Expected"? They must've expected very little traffic in the San Juans. My brother owns land on a channel that's very popular for transiting between San Juan island areas. He reports that small vessel traffic is WAY DOWN. Where he usually sees lots of 30' to 50' vessels, he said there's next to nothing. That either means folks are staying close to the dock or limiting the number of destinations. The 60' and up crowd was still there in what seemed normal numbers. Gasoline for his twin-engine Trophy is between $3.50 and nearly $4. Fuel prices must be taking a big bite out of this area's cruising. I have to believe the same is true elsewhere. Leave it to Boat US to spin the best angle. jps |
Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
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Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
jps wrote: In article . com, says... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, Date: August 29, 2006 BOATU.S. SAYS SUMMER BOATING SEASON WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED "Better Than Expected"? They must've expected very little traffic in the San Juans. My brother owns land on a channel that's very popular for transiting between San Juan island areas. He reports that small vessel traffic is WAY DOWN. Where he usually sees lots of 30' to 50' vessels, he said there's next to nothing. That either means folks are staying close to the dock or limiting the number of destinations. The 60' and up crowd was still there in what seemed normal numbers. The following marinas in the San Juans and Gulf Islands were sold out, or nearly sold out, by 6 PM each night during our cruise in late July and early Aug: Langley Oak Harbor Friday Harbor IMC on Lopez Islander Resort on Lopez Port Browning Both marinas in Telegraph Harbour Ganges Deer Harbor Rosario Roche Harbor And the nights spent in state parks? Every mooring buoy gone and lots of folks at anchor. No, they weren't all 60-footers , either. Lots of 30-50 footers....(we know because we're competing for the same slips) We did talk to a lot of people who were staying a bit closer to home this year. Doing just the San Juans instead of the San Juans and the Gulf Islands- or doing the Gulf Islands instead of pressing on to the Discovery Islands or Desolation Sound. People weren't going as far or as fast, but they were out there. I'm sure your brother reported his observations from shore very accurately, but they disagree with my observations out amongst 'em. Gasoline for his twin-engine Trophy is between $3.50 and nearly $4. Fuel prices must be taking a big bite out of this area's cruising. I have to believe the same is true elsewhere. Leave it to Boat US to spin the best angle. jps |
Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
In article .com,
says... jps wrote: In article . com, says... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, Date: August 29, 2006 BOATU.S. SAYS SUMMER BOATING SEASON WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED "Better Than Expected"? They must've expected very little traffic in the San Juans. My brother owns land on a channel that's very popular for transiting between San Juan island areas. He reports that small vessel traffic is WAY DOWN. Where he usually sees lots of 30' to 50' vessels, he said there's next to nothing. That either means folks are staying close to the dock or limiting the number of destinations. The 60' and up crowd was still there in what seemed normal numbers. The following marinas in the San Juans and Gulf Islands were sold out, or nearly sold out, by 6 PM each night during our cruise in late July and early Aug: Langley Oak Harbor Friday Harbor IMC on Lopez Islander Resort on Lopez Port Browning Both marinas in Telegraph Harbour Ganges Deer Harbor Rosario Roche Harbor And the nights spent in state parks? Every mooring buoy gone and lots of folks at anchor. No, they weren't all 60-footers , either. Lots of 30-50 footers....(we know because we're competing for the same slips) We did talk to a lot of people who were staying a bit closer to home this year. Doing just the San Juans instead of the San Juans and the Gulf Islands- or doing the Gulf Islands instead of pressing on to the Discovery Islands or Desolation Sound. People weren't going as far or as fast, but they were out there. I'm sure your brother reported his observations from shore very accurately, but they disagree with my observations out amongst 'em. He's just south of Poll Pass and sees all the traffic. His report as of the past several weekends is that traffic is way off normal for this time of year. He said it looks like post-Labor Day up there. I don't doubt your experiences but it probably reinforces my theory that folks weren't moving about. Rather, they were spending more time at one or each destination. jps |
Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwidedecrease in boating
jps wrote:
In article .com, says... jps wrote: In article . com, says... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, Date: August 29, 2006 BOATU.S. SAYS SUMMER BOATING SEASON WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED "Better Than Expected"? They must've expected very little traffic in the San Juans. My brother owns land on a channel that's very popular for transiting between San Juan island areas. He reports that small vessel traffic is WAY DOWN. Where he usually sees lots of 30' to 50' vessels, he said there's next to nothing. That either means folks are staying close to the dock or limiting the number of destinations. The 60' and up crowd was still there in what seemed normal numbers. The following marinas in the San Juans and Gulf Islands were sold out, or nearly sold out, by 6 PM each night during our cruise in late July and early Aug: Langley Oak Harbor Friday Harbor IMC on Lopez Islander Resort on Lopez Port Browning Both marinas in Telegraph Harbour Ganges Deer Harbor Rosario Roche Harbor And the nights spent in state parks? Every mooring buoy gone and lots of folks at anchor. No, they weren't all 60-footers , either. Lots of 30-50 footers....(we know because we're competing for the same slips) We did talk to a lot of people who were staying a bit closer to home this year. Doing just the San Juans instead of the San Juans and the Gulf Islands- or doing the Gulf Islands instead of pressing on to the Discovery Islands or Desolation Sound. People weren't going as far or as fast, but they were out there. I'm sure your brother reported his observations from shore very accurately, but they disagree with my observations out amongst 'em. He's just south of Poll Pass and sees all the traffic. His report as of the past several weekends is that traffic is way off normal for this time of year. He said it looks like post-Labor Day up there. I don't doubt your experiences but it probably reinforces my theory that folks weren't moving about. Rather, they were spending more time at one or each destination. jps That has been my observation in a much smaller body of water. Still lots of boats, they just aren't doing the "sunday drive". They find a destination and enjoy their time there. The raft-ups which is always popular with the party crowd, were as large as ever. |
Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
jps wrote: He's just south of Poll Pass and sees all the traffic. (Visualize big friendly grin) Too many politics for you, JPS. That's "Pole Pass", not "Poll". Pole Pass was given that name because when the first Euro-American settlers arrived on Orcas and Crane Islands they noticed some very tall poles erected on either side of the narrow channel separating the two islands. Native Americans would catch migrating ducks and geese by stretching a net across the pass and anchoring it to the poles. (A "poll pass" sounds like something one might have needed in order to vote in a lot of southern states prior to the Civil Rights movement). |
Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
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Despite fuel prices, towboat captains report no general nationwide decrease in boating
At $4.00 a gallon around here, traffic has DEFINITLEY thinned out
around here. Its nice to be able to get out on weekends without an army of boats coming at you. Boat US is funny as ****... Obviously they was their insurance and boat towing side not to lose any money by the lack of boats crusing all over the place. jps wrote: In article . com, says... jps wrote: He's just south of Poll Pass and sees all the traffic. (Visualize big friendly grin) Too many politics for you, JPS. That's "Pole Pass", not "Poll". Pole Pass was given that name because when the first Euro-American settlers arrived on Orcas and Crane Islands they noticed some very tall poles erected on either side of the narrow channel separating the two islands. Native Americans would catch migrating ducks and geese by stretching a net across the pass and anchoring it to the poles. (A "poll pass" sounds like something one might have needed in order to vote in a lot of southern states prior to the Civil Rights movement). Thanks for the correction Chuck. You're right about too much politics. I'm betting Pole Pass would have been a good place to net salmon too. Mighty narrow with a hell of a current during tide changes. It's always fun navigating, especially when having to avoid another boat coming in the opposite direction. A game of chicken with rocks. jps |
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