"Eisboch" wrote in message
...


I am enjoying my "barge" as much as I ever did and I don't have to burn a
ton of fuel to do so. I'll betcha, for living in New England, I spend
many more hours on the boat during the summer than most and I enjoy every
minute of it.



(it just so happens that *that's* were I am right now .... since yesterday
..... and probably through the weekend)

Eisboch

On Wed, 16 May 2007 12:01:49 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On 16 May 2007 07:28:39 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

You're rooting and hoping for a collapse of the powerboat industry?
Especially large powerboats?

I don't know about large powerboats, but I stopped to visit a friend
of mine at the old Lake Webster Marina this morning and he was just
flat out depressed. Hasn't sold a new boat in 8 months and he's more
more used boats on consignment than I've ever seen there - easily 60
boats - all mid-range from 25K to 60k.

Gotta wonder about that.

I certainly don't share Harry's newfound distain for larger boats and I
don't understand how he feels that harbors are clogged up with them in such
a manner that it affects those with smaller boats.

I don't either. I find smaller boats more of a pain in the ass while
fishing than "barges".

I am enjoying my "barge" as much as I ever did and I don't have to burn a
ton of fuel to do so. I'll betcha, for living in New England, I spend many
more hours on the boat during the summer than most and I enjoy every minute
of it.

And you dont have to go anywhere to do it.

That's 'da bomb. :)

On May 16, 8:53 am, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 16 May 2007 07:28:39 -0700, Chuck Gould

wrote:
You're rooting and hoping for a collapse of the powerboat industry?
Especially large powerboats?

I don't know about large powerboats, but I stopped to visit a friend
of mine at the old Lake Webster Marina this morning and he was just
flat out depressed. Hasn't sold a new boat in 8 months and he's more
more used boats on consignment than I've ever seen there - easily 60
boats - all mid-range from 25K to 60k.

Gotta wonder about that.

It's not fair, (and life is seldom fair), but the guys shopping boats
in the 25-60K range will often be far more affected by high fuel
prices than people spending ten times as much.

I was aboard a very nice new boat on Monday that runs well, but burns
51 gph to make 31 knots. At fuel dock prices, that's in the vicinity
of $500 for a two-hour run at 31 knots. (ouch)
The buyer who can spend $300k to buy that boat will *still* feel the
pain at the pump, but fuel will be somewhat insignificant compared to
other expenses.

A boater who is maybe even making monthly payments on a $25,000 marine
mortgage
just to get out on the water is far more likely to be driven out of
the pastime entirely if his fuel bill for a day even begins to
approach $500. When boating 2-3 days per month starts to cost people
$1000 or more in fuel costs, the middle income earners and below will
begin fleeing the scene. That seems to be reflected in your friend's
experience at his marina.

On 16 May 2007 09:18:37 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

On May 16, 8:53 am, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 16 May 2007 07:28:39 -0700, Chuck Gould

wrote:
You're rooting and hoping for a collapse of the powerboat industry?
Especially large powerboats?

I don't know about large powerboats, but I stopped to visit a friend
of mine at the old Lake Webster Marina this morning and he was just
flat out depressed. Hasn't sold a new boat in 8 months and he's more
more used boats on consignment than I've ever seen there - easily 60
boats - all mid-range from 25K to 60k.

Gotta wonder about that.

It's not fair, (and life is seldom fair), but the guys shopping boats
in the 25-60K range will often be far more affected by high fuel
prices than people spending ten times as much.

I was aboard a very nice new boat on Monday that runs well, but burns
51 gph to make 31 knots. At fuel dock prices, that's in the vicinity
of $500 for a two-hour run at 31 knots. (ouch)
The buyer who can spend $300k to buy that boat will *still* feel the
pain at the pump, but fuel will be somewhat insignificant compared to
other expenses.

A boater who is maybe even making monthly payments on a $25,000 marine
mortgage
just to get out on the water is far more likely to be driven out of
the pastime entirely if his fuel bill for a day even begins to
approach $500. When boating 2-3 days per month starts to cost people
$1000 or more in fuel costs, the middle income earners and below will
begin fleeing the scene. That seems to be reflected in your friend's
experience at his marina.

A lot of the showboater/speed-demon boat market will dry up, but those
who simply like to be on the water shouldn't have a problem.
Skiers and wakeboarders will get hit the hardest. Inefficient big
sportsfishers too. Big boats with sleeping quarters whose owners
really love being on the water will think harder about cruising, but
won't see a pressing need to dump the boat, especially since resale
values will be low and marina costs actually might go down.
Might be more interest in slow/ugly but efficient trawlers for
cruisers. And skiffs for fishing - since they are gas misers. You
won't keep fishermen off the water.
That's all just my idle speculation.
Personally, I've always been averse to using more fuel than necessary,
so I'll make no adjustments due to fuel prices.
Either a 19-24' skiff if I decide to just fish, or a 26-30' sailboat
if I decide to cruise. Doesn't matter what gas costs.
I got over that hurdle decades ago.
Here's a link to a Mississippi boating story that might interest you.
http://home.att.net/~a.emmons/ahchap1.htm
I liked it, and read the whole thing.
This trip was a disaster waiting to happen - luckily it didn't.
There are boats and there are boats, and this post reminded my
of something a guy in this journal named Rowboat Jimmy said.
Jimmy had "dropped out" and rowed all over the inland waterways
on some kind of rowboat never fully described.
Jimmy's arms were brawny, but he said rowing was hard on the back.
The journal author was trying to be helpful to Jimmy.
"While discussing river travel, I suggested, "Some modifications could
be made to his rowboat to provide sailing capacity." He came back
casually, "But then it wouldn’t be a rowboat."

That about sums it up.

--Vic








--Vic

I have put 200 hours on my 30' boat since last June...but very few of those
were in the past couple of months. I budget about $500/month on fuel. The
monthly fuel bill is often higher, but some of the expense is shared by
friends or family.


I've been planning a trip to the Keys at the end of the month, which will
be a budget buster...so I've been using the 17' boat more often to save
fuel.

I forgot how much I like the simplicity of a smaller boat. It's easier to
fish nearshore with, and when the kids get hot and tired, it's easier to
pull up to a marina for lunch, or on to a beach for a swim.

The 30-footer is becoming a "specialty trip" boat...for occasional long runs
offshore, or to a long-range destination for an overnight trip. I will use
it more often than the little boat in the winter too, since things can get
downright cold fishing from an open boat in January and february (even in
Florida).





"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
On May 16, 8:53 am, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 16 May 2007 07:28:39 -0700, Chuck Gould

wrote:
You're rooting and hoping for a collapse of the powerboat industry?
Especially large powerboats?

I don't know about large powerboats, but I stopped to visit a friend
of mine at the old Lake Webster Marina this morning and he was just
flat out depressed. Hasn't sold a new boat in 8 months and he's more
more used boats on consignment than I've ever seen there - easily 60
boats - all mid-range from 25K to 60k.

Gotta wonder about that.

It's not fair, (and life is seldom fair), but the guys shopping boats
in the 25-60K range will often be far more affected by high fuel
prices than people spending ten times as much.

I was aboard a very nice new boat on Monday that runs well, but burns
51 gph to make 31 knots. At fuel dock prices, that's in the vicinity
of $500 for a two-hour run at 31 knots. (ouch)
The buyer who can spend $300k to buy that boat will *still* feel the
pain at the pump, but fuel will be somewhat insignificant compared to
other expenses.

A boater who is maybe even making monthly payments on a $25,000 marine
mortgage
just to get out on the water is far more likely to be driven out of
the pastime entirely if his fuel bill for a day even begins to
approach $500. When boating 2-3 days per month starts to cost people
$1000 or more in fuel costs, the middle income earners and below will
begin fleeing the scene. That seems to be reflected in your friend's
experience at his marina.

On Wed, 16 May 2007 15:53:14 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

Gotta wonder about that.

When it costs $180 to take on 50 gallons of gas, some of the wonder
goes away.

On Wed, 16 May 2007 12:58:06 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 16 May 2007 15:53:14 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

Gotta wonder about that.

When it costs $180 to take on 50 gallons of gas, some of the wonder
goes away.

I phrased that badly.

I understand the why, it's just that I suspect that the first to
consolidate, if that's the correct term here, will be the small boat
market rather than the large boat market.

Make that contract rather than consolidate.

Kind of makes me glad I have an ETEC.

Have you checked rec.boats.paddle? Once you find a buyer for your
Parker, and since you only once ever reported going *anywhere* in your
otherwise absolutely unused and extremely well-hidden lobster boat, I
believe you will be down to "half a canoe".

Oddly, he seems to be shying away from writing about that wonderful lobster
boat lately. Maybe it's in dry-dock. Or maybe the engine is being pulled.
Or maybe it's being repaired from the last rowdy meeting of Yale alumnus on
the boat. One never knows!



Cheers,

William

Chuck Gould wrote:
On May 16, 5:16 am, HK wrote:

I think the bell is
beginning to toll for the powerboat industry, especially for those in
the large powerboat sector. That would be a good thing.

Tell us how you really feel, Harry.

You're rooting and hoping for a collapse of the powerboat industry?
Especially large powerboats? (Do you have any idea how that would
impact the value of the five hundred thousand or so you have invested
in your lobster boat?)

Aside from name calling and making nasty comments, what the hell are
you doing hanging out in a forum that is supposed to be for *boaters*?

Perhaps your disruptive behavior in the NG is additional evidence of
your disdain for powerboating?

Have you checked rec.boats.paddle? Once you find a buyer for your
Parker, and since you only once ever reported going *anywhere* in your
otherwise absolutely unused and extremely well-hidden lobster boat, I
believe you will be down to "half a canoe".



crickets