Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

Interesting 4 day, 3 night cruise.

Splendid weather.

Our general destination was about 60 miles from Seattle. We
encountered a "cruise in" sponsored by a large cruising club. I know
several people associated with the group and we were bs-ing about
things in general when one of the organizers mentioned, "We originally
had close to 40 boat scheduled to make the Memorial Day Cruise, but as
the date got closer more and more them dropped out. We wound up with
16 boats instead of 40. Almost everybody who dropped out mentioned
fuel costs as either the main reason or one of the more important
reasons for cancelling."

Interesting.

We stopped at Bainbride Island on the way back to Seattle today,
(Bainbridge is just a few miles from Seattle), and Eagle Harbor was
*jammed* until very late on Monday afternoon. Looks like people are
going boating, but not going as far.

A possible upside may be that the casual, once-in-a-while, jerkaround
boaters might not be out at all this year. The amount of goofball
nonsense on the VHF, bogus Maydays, kids playing with the radio, and
just plain clueless VHF operation seemed to be way, way down. Either
the screwballs have migrated to text messagin one another or there are
fewer of them on the water........

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

I love it. Every time fuel costs go up, my single diesel trawler's
value goes up. Fuel is probably the least cost of cruising for me.
Insurance and maintenance are way up there, dockage also.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

I went to the Florida Keys by boat this past weekend for 3 days. We slept on
the boat, and managed to fish only one and half days due to rough sea
conditions.

Fuel burn was 270 gallons...100 gallons each way, and 70 gallons heading to
and from the fishing grounds, and trolling for 8 hours.


Fuel costs were $960 ($3.57/gallon), the slip was $170 for two nights, and
drinks, food, and provisions were under $200. Total=around $1400.

If I had gotten a hotel on Memorial Day weekend for two nights, it would
have cost me $500, and a fishing charter would have been $900 for one day
and $500 for the second day. We would have had to go out to breakfast,
lunch, and dinner rather than bring our own food, which would have added
another $300 to the tab for 3 days. Gas for the car ride would have run
another $100. Total=$2300.

Boating and fishing on a liveaboard is still cheaper than a hotel, dining
out, and hiring a fishing guide. I'm surprised that so many boaters who own
large expensive live-aboards would cite "higher fuel costs" as the reason
for cancelling a planned trip that involved travelling only 120 miles
round-trip. An extra $1/gallon at the pump would have added less than $150
to their trip.





"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
Interesting 4 day, 3 night cruise.

Splendid weather.

Our general destination was about 60 miles from Seattle. We
encountered a "cruise in" sponsored by a large cruising club. I know
several people associated with the group and we were bs-ing about
things in general when one of the organizers mentioned, "We originally
had close to 40 boat scheduled to make the Memorial Day Cruise, but as
the date got closer more and more them dropped out. We wound up with
16 boats instead of 40. Almost everybody who dropped out mentioned
fuel costs as either the main reason or one of the more important
reasons for cancelling."

Interesting.

We stopped at Bainbride Island on the way back to Seattle today,
(Bainbridge is just a few miles from Seattle), and Eagle Harbor was
*jammed* until very late on Monday afternoon. Looks like people are
going boating, but not going as far.

A possible upside may be that the casual, once-in-a-while, jerkaround
boaters might not be out at all this year. The amount of goofball
nonsense on the VHF, bogus Maydays, kids playing with the radio, and
just plain clueless VHF operation seemed to be way, way down. Either
the screwballs have migrated to text messagin one another or there are
fewer of them on the water........

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

NOYB wrote:
I went to the Florida Keys by boat this past weekend for 3 days. We slept on
the boat, and managed to fish only one and half days due to rough sea
conditions.

Fuel burn was 270 gallons...100 gallons each way, and 70 gallons heading to
and from the fishing grounds, and trolling for 8 hours.


Fuel costs were $960 ($3.57/gallon), the slip was $170 for two nights, and
drinks, food, and provisions were under $200. Total=around $1400.

If I had gotten a hotel on Memorial Day weekend for two nights, it would
have cost me $500, and a fishing charter would have been $900 for one day
and $500 for the second day. We would have had to go out to breakfast,
lunch, and dinner rather than bring our own food, which would have added
another $300 to the tab for 3 days. Gas for the car ride would have run
another $100. Total=$2300.

Boating and fishing on a liveaboard is still cheaper than a hotel, dining
out, and hiring a fishing guide. I'm surprised that so many boaters who own
large expensive live-aboards would cite "higher fuel costs" as the reason
for cancelling a planned trip that involved travelling only 120 miles
round-trip. An extra $1/gallon at the pump would have added less than $150
to their trip.



In February, I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale. Cost me $250 round trip.
I went charter fishing one day with three other guys, cost me $275.
One night of the hotel was around $300.
Ate maybe $50 of food that day, probably half that.

I think your numbers are a bit off.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On Tue, 29 May 2007 11:31:01 GMT, "NOYB" wrote:

fishing charter would have been $900 for one day
and $500 for the second day

Where is this and what were you fishing for?

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

"HK" wrote in message
...

In February, I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale. Cost me $250 round trip.
I went charter fishing one day with three other guys, cost me $275.

Cost *you* personally $275...or $275 each? There were 4 of us.



One night of the hotel was around $300.

Which is more than the $250/night that I cited.

Ate maybe $50 of food that day, probably half that.

Once again, you're talking about just *you*. Multiply by the four of us.


I think your numbers are a bit off.

Yes, if you're only thinking about yourself.

By my calculations, your trip cost you $875 for two days and one
night...with a day of fishing.

My trip cost around $1400 but was divided by four people (actually 3 adults
and my son).

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 May 2007 11:31:01 GMT, "NOYB" wrote:

fishing charter would have been $900 for one day
and $500 for the second day

Where is this and what were you fishing for?

Florida Keys. Offshore for dolphin, wahoo, tuna, sailfish, etc. Most
charters on a 30+ foot boat costs $800-900 for 7-8 hours...plus a $100 tip.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 May 2007 11:31:01 GMT, "NOYB" wrote:

fishing charter would have been $900 for one day
and $500 for the second day

Where is this and what were you fishing for?

Fishing was tough due to 7-9' seas with a 6 second period on day one, and
5-7' seas with a 5 second period on day two. Wind was blowing 20-25 knots
steady out of the northeast against the stream for over a week. Even at
night, winds were 15-20.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

NOYB wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...

In February, I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale. Cost me $250 round trip.
I went charter fishing one day with three other guys, cost me $275.

Cost *you* personally $275...or $275 each? There were 4 of us.


Just me.






One night of the hotel was around $300.

Which is more than the $250/night that I cited.


Yeah, and I got a "rate." It was a $500 a night room. Don't ask.





Ate maybe $50 of food that day, probably half that.

Once again, you're talking about just *you*. Multiply by the four of us.

I think your numbers are a bit off.

Yes, if you're only thinking about yourself.

By my calculations, your trip cost you $875 for two days and one
night...with a day of fishing.

My trip cost around $1400 but was divided by four people (actually 3 adults
and my son).


Actually, I have just as much fun on the the "head boat" charters out of
Haulover Inlet, since they only have to head a mile or so offshore for
some terrific fishing. Those run about $30 for a half day.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

"HK" wrote in message
. ..
NOYB wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...

In February, I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale. Cost me $250 round trip.
I went charter fishing one day with three other guys, cost me $275.

Cost *you* personally $275...or $275 each? There were 4 of us.


Just me.


Then the rate that I cited was spot on. $275*3 plus tip is over $900.






One night of the hotel was around $300.

Which is more than the $250/night that I cited.


Yeah, and I got a "rate." It was a $500 a night room. Don't ask.


Feb. in South Florida. That's the going rate for the 4 and 5 star places.
The $250/night in the Keys on Memorial Day weekend is for a pretty spartan
place.





Ate maybe $50 of food that day, probably half that.

Once again, you're talking about just *you*. Multiply by the four of us.

I think your numbers are a bit off.

Yes, if you're only thinking about yourself.

By my calculations, your trip cost you $875 for two days and one
night...with a day of fishing.

My trip cost around $1400 but was divided by four people (actually 3
adults and my son).


Actually, I have just as much fun on the the "head boat" charters out of
Haulover Inlet, since they only have to head a mile or so offshore for
some terrific fishing. Those run about $30 for a half day.


Headboats don't troll for dolphin, wahoo, and tuna. I know that "anything
can happen" on a bottom trip, but you have a lot better chance trolling for
those fish until you find them, and then chunking 'em up once you do find
them.

I love trailering over to the east coast to fish, because quality fish are
caught just a few miles from shore. But I'm not targeting bottom species if
I make that trek. I'm after pelagics.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

NOYB wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..
NOYB wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...

In February, I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale. Cost me $250 round trip.
I went charter fishing one day with three other guys, cost me $275.
Cost *you* personally $275...or $275 each? There were 4 of us.

Just me.


Then the rate that I cited was spot on. $275*3 plus tip is over $900.




One night of the hotel was around $300.
Which is more than the $250/night that I cited.

Yeah, and I got a "rate." It was a $500 a night room. Don't ask.


Feb. in South Florida. That's the going rate for the 4 and 5 star places.
The $250/night in the Keys on Memorial Day weekend is for a pretty spartan
place.



Ate maybe $50 of food that day, probably half that.
Once again, you're talking about just *you*. Multiply by the four of us.

I think your numbers are a bit off.
Yes, if you're only thinking about yourself.

By my calculations, your trip cost you $875 for two days and one
night...with a day of fishing.

My trip cost around $1400 but was divided by four people (actually 3
adults and my son).

Actually, I have just as much fun on the the "head boat" charters out of
Haulover Inlet, since they only have to head a mile or so offshore for
some terrific fishing. Those run about $30 for a half day.


Headboats don't troll for dolphin, wahoo, and tuna. I know that "anything
can happen" on a bottom trip, but you have a lot better chance trolling for
those fish until you find them, and then chunking 'em up once you do find
them.

I love trailering over to the east coast to fish, because quality fish are
caught just a few miles from shore. But I'm not targeting bottom species if
I make that trek. I'm after pelagics.



I'm not. I like the reef fishing. You never know what you are going to
find, though typically I catch kingfish and sometimes yellowtail. I
don't believe in C&R for pelagics, and I have no need of that amount of
fish for the table or freezer. When I catch a kingfish, I bring it back
to the hotel, have the chef cook up something nice for my party, and let
him decide what to do with the rest of the steaks.

Actually, when I go out on the head boats, I find a spot on deck that is
not too crowded and then driftfish my own bait, rather than bottom fish.
I usually get away with it.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

"HK" wrote in message
. ..
NOYB wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..
NOYB wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...

In February, I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale. Cost me $250 round trip.
I went charter fishing one day with three other guys, cost me $275.
Cost *you* personally $275...or $275 each? There were 4 of us.

Just me.


Then the rate that I cited was spot on. $275*3 plus tip is over $900.




One night of the hotel was around $300.
Which is more than the $250/night that I cited.

Yeah, and I got a "rate." It was a $500 a night room. Don't ask.


Feb. in South Florida. That's the going rate for the 4 and 5 star
places. The $250/night in the Keys on Memorial Day weekend is for a
pretty spartan place.



Ate maybe $50 of food that day, probably half that.
Once again, you're talking about just *you*. Multiply by the four of
us.

I think your numbers are a bit off.
Yes, if you're only thinking about yourself.

By my calculations, your trip cost you $875 for two days and one
night...with a day of fishing.

My trip cost around $1400 but was divided by four people (actually 3
adults and my son).

Actually, I have just as much fun on the the "head boat" charters out of
Haulover Inlet, since they only have to head a mile or so offshore for
some terrific fishing. Those run about $30 for a half day.


Headboats don't troll for dolphin, wahoo, and tuna. I know that
"anything can happen" on a bottom trip, but you have a lot better chance
trolling for those fish until you find them, and then chunking 'em up
once you do find them.

I love trailering over to the east coast to fish, because quality fish
are caught just a few miles from shore. But I'm not targeting bottom
species if I make that trek. I'm after pelagics.



I'm not. I like the reef fishing. You never know what you are going to
find, though typically I catch kingfish and sometimes yellowtail. I don't
believe in C&R for pelagics, and I have no need of that amount of fish for
the table or freezer. When I catch a kingfish, I bring it back to the
hotel, have the chef cook up something nice for my party, and let him
decide what to do with the rest of the steaks.


I'm not a big fan of kingfish. The flesh is too grey for me. It's good on
the smoker though.

Yellowtail are excellent.

If I make the trip to the east coast or the Keys, I'm hoping to get a large
dolphin, wahoo, or tuna to bring enough back for the freezer.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

"NOYB" wrote in message
link.net...

"HK" wrote in message
. ..
NOYB wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..
NOYB wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...

In February, I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale. Cost me $250 round trip.
I went charter fishing one day with three other guys, cost me $275.
Cost *you* personally $275...or $275 each? There were 4 of us.

Just me.


Then the rate that I cited was spot on. $275*3 plus tip is over $900.




One night of the hotel was around $300.
Which is more than the $250/night that I cited.

Yeah, and I got a "rate." It was a $500 a night room. Don't ask.


Feb. in South Florida. That's the going rate for the 4 and 5 star
places. The $250/night in the Keys on Memorial Day weekend is for a
pretty spartan place.



Ate maybe $50 of food that day, probably half that.
Once again, you're talking about just *you*. Multiply by the four of
us.

I think your numbers are a bit off.
Yes, if you're only thinking about yourself.

By my calculations, your trip cost you $875 for two days and one
night...with a day of fishing.

My trip cost around $1400 but was divided by four people (actually 3
adults and my son).

Actually, I have just as much fun on the the "head boat" charters out
of Haulover Inlet, since they only have to head a mile or so offshore
for some terrific fishing. Those run about $30 for a half day.


Headboats don't troll for dolphin, wahoo, and tuna. I know that
"anything can happen" on a bottom trip, but you have a lot better chance
trolling for those fish until you find them, and then chunking 'em up
once you do find them.

I love trailering over to the east coast to fish, because quality fish
are caught just a few miles from shore. But I'm not targeting bottom
species if I make that trek. I'm after pelagics.



I'm not. I like the reef fishing. You never know what you are going to
find, though typically I catch kingfish and sometimes yellowtail. I don't
believe in C&R for pelagics, and I have no need of that amount of fish
for the table or freezer. When I catch a kingfish, I bring it back to the
hotel, have the chef cook up something nice for my party, and let him
decide what to do with the rest of the steaks.


I'm not a big fan of kingfish. The flesh is too grey for me. It's good
on the smoker though.

Yellowtail are excellent.

If I make the trip to the east coast or the Keys, I'm hoping to get a
large dolphin, wahoo, or tuna to bring enough back for the freezer.


Leave the dolphins alone!

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On May 29, 2:27 am, Chuck Gould wrote:
Interesting 4 day, 3 night cruise.

Splendid weather.

Our general destination was about 60 miles from Seattle. We
encountered a "cruise in" sponsored by a large cruising club. I know
several people associated with the group and we were bs-ing about
things in general when one of the organizers mentioned, "We originally
had close to 40 boat scheduled to make the Memorial Day Cruise, but as
the date got closer more and more them dropped out. We wound up with
16 boats instead of 40. Almost everybody who dropped out mentioned
fuel costs as either the main reason or one of the more important
reasons for cancelling."

Interesting.

We stopped at Bainbride Island on the way back to Seattle today,
(Bainbridge is just a few miles from Seattle), and Eagle Harbor was
*jammed* until very late on Monday afternoon. Looks like people are
going boating, but not going as far.

A possible upside may be that the casual, once-in-a-while, jerkaround
boaters might not be out at all this year. The amount of goofball
nonsense on the VHF, bogus Maydays, kids playing with the radio, and
just plain clueless VHF operation seemed to be way, way down. Either
the screwballs have migrated to text messagin one another or there are
fewer of them on the water........

Starting to see lots of 20-25 footer trailer boats for sale on the
net. More than usual for this time of the season. My neighbor has not
even uncovered his 22 foot Grady, don't think he is going to put it in
this year, I know it was getting expensive for him to run it last
season. Me, I am watching now for something with a decent 50 horse and
trailer I can put with my Brockway skiff. Might be a good season for
me to find one with the gas prices being as they are.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On May 29, 6:37?am, "Don White" wrote:


Leave the dolphins alone!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Once tried a recipe for broiled Flipper with lemon.......

The black smoke set off the smoke alarm, the fire department showed
up, and we finally wound up junking the stove. :-)

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On May 29, 4:31�am, "NOYB" wrote:


Boating and fishing on a liveaboard is still cheaper than a hotel, dining
out, and hiring a fishing guide. *I'm surprised that so many boaters who own
large expensive live-aboards would cite "higher fuel costs" as the reason
for cancelling a planned trip that involved travelling only 120 miles
round-trip. *An extra $1/gallon at the pump would have added less than $150
to their trip.


A lot of people of moderate means enjoy boating. A lot of folks with
modest boats couldn't justify a $2300 3-day weekend (like your fishing
trip). Unfortunately, it's the modest boats owned by folks of modest
means that often have the most immodest appetites for fuel. At $5 a
fuel dock gallon and perhaps 1nmpg fuel efficiency a 120 mile round
trip cruise is a $600 weekend, plus possible additional expenses for
moorage, restaurant meals etc.

The increased cost of fuel has taken a bite out of a lot of folks who
have no option oother than to commute for a living, many of whom live
paycheck-to-paycheck. While it's easy to wonder what some of these
folks are doing trying to own a boat in the first place, it's a fact
that there are a lot of folks who only marginally afford boating and
when their "have to" fuel expenses go way up they are forced to cut
back on the "want to" items to make up the difference.

The only thing that has changed dramatically from previous years is
the cost of fuel. People are still getting out, but staying closer to
home in my observation.

My boat burned about 15 gallons round-trip, (but it took me the
better part of a day each way)......but my boat wouldn't be suitable
for a lot of folks who need to go fast for the sheer thrill of doing
so or want to pull skiers, etc.

Folks as well off as you are don't need to worry about the cost of
fuel and most won't. :-) The rest of us paupers out here either need
to be lucky enough to own a very fuel efficient boat or face some
tough decisions about how we'll spend our boating dollars.

When we make our long summer cruise up into Canada later this summer
it will be interesting to see if there is a drop off from last year in
the number of US boats in various anchorages and marinas. There were
fewer in 2006 than there were in previous years, so my guess is there
were be fewer in 2007 than in 2006 as



"Chuck Gould" wrote in message

oups.com...



Interesting 4 day, 3 night cruise.

Splendid weather.

Our general destination was about 60 miles from Seattle. We
encountered a "cruise in" sponsored by a large cruising club. I know
several people associated with the group and we were bs-ing about
things in general when one of the organizers mentioned, "We originally
had close to 40 boat scheduled to make the Memorial Day Cruise, but as
the date got closer more and more them dropped out. We wound up with
16 boats instead of 40. Almost everybody who dropped out mentioned
fuel costs as either the main reason or one of the more important
reasons for cancelling."

Interesting.

We stopped at Bainbride Island on the way back to Seattle today,
(Bainbridge is just a few miles from Seattle), and Eagle Harbor was
*jammed* until very late on Monday afternoon. Looks like people are
going boating, but not going as far.

A possible upside may be that the casual, once-in-a-while, jerkaround
boaters might not be out at all this year. The amount of goofball
nonsense on the VHF, bogus Maydays, kids playing with the radio, and
just plain clueless VHF operation seemed to be way, way down. Either
the screwballs have migrated to text messagin one another or there are
fewer of them on the water........- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On May 29, 4:00?am, Keith wrote:
I love it. Every time fuel costs go up, my single diesel trawler's
value goes up. Fuel is probably the least cost of cruising for me.
Insurance and maintenance are way up there, dockage also.

As a fellow owner of a single diesel trawler, I wish I could share
your
joy.

Every boater, power and sail, is directly or indirectly damaged by
these high fuel costs. There is a certain critical mass of people
interested in boating required to sustain the infrastructure of fuel
docks, marinas, supply vendors, repair professionals, etc. Everybody
depends on the same infrasturcture, whether an individual burns 60
gph, 20 gph, 2 gph, or sails.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On May 29, 6:51?am, wrote:
On May 29, 2:27 am, Chuck Gould wrote:





Interesting 4 day, 3 night cruise.

Splendid weather.

Our general destination was about 60 miles from Seattle. We
encountered a "cruise in" sponsored by a large cruising club. I know
several people associated with the group and we were bs-ing about
things in general when one of the organizers mentioned, "We originally
had close to 40 boat scheduled to make the Memorial Day Cruise, but as
the date got closer more and more them dropped out. We wound up with
16 boats instead of 40. Almost everybody who dropped out mentioned
fuel costs as either the main reason or one of the more important
reasons for cancelling."

Interesting.

We stopped at Bainbride Island on the way back to Seattle today,
(Bainbridge is just a few miles from Seattle), and Eagle Harbor was
*jammed* until very late on Monday afternoon. Looks like people are
going boating, but not going as far.

A possible upside may be that the casual, once-in-a-while, jerkaround
boaters might not be out at all this year. The amount of goofball
nonsense on the VHF, bogus Maydays, kids playing with the radio, and
just plain clueless VHF operation seemed to be way, way down. Either
the screwballs have migrated to text messagin one another or there are
fewer of them on the water........

Starting to see lots of 20-25 footer trailer boats for sale on the
net. More than usual for this time of the season. My neighbor has not
even uncovered his 22 foot Grady, don't think he is going to put it in
this year, I know it was getting expensive for him to run it last
season. Me, I am watching now for something with a decent 50 horse and
trailer I can put with my Brockway skiff. Might be a good season for
me to find one with the gas prices being as they are.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Everybody has a different level of dedication to the pastime, and
that's fine. There are a few people who feel that the last thing in
life they would ever give up would be boating, no matter what the
costs or other sacrifices required. On the other end of the scale
there are folks who might go out in a boat if somebody offered them a
ride, but certainly wouldn't pay for the experience.....

Most eveybody else is somewhere in between. A high percentage will
probably spend $100 per weekend to boat. Move that to $200, and there
will be some dropouts. Move it to $300, and the crowd would begin to
thin considerably. Every hundred bucks higher will accelerate the
attrition rate. There's no cost level at which eveybody will instantly
give up boating, but we only need to look around to see that at each
increment of increased cost we lose a few more folks who cannot (or
choose not to) afford it.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On Tue, 29 May 2007 10:37:05 -0300, "Don White"
wrote:




Leave the dolphins alone!

Would it be ok if he called it mahi mahi?

--Vic

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On 29 May 2007 08:03:18 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

Every boater, power and sail, is directly or indirectly damaged by
these high fuel costs. There is a certain critical mass of people
interested in boating required to sustain the infrastructure of fuel
docks, marinas, supply vendors, repair professionals, etc. Everybody
depends on the same infrasturcture, whether an individual burns 60
gph, 20 gph, 2 gph, or sails.

I wouldn't go that far. There are some boaters - power and sail - who
feel higher fuel prices for less crowded waterways is a fair
trade-off. There are still plenty of sailors who use very little
fuel, and plenty of OB skiff fisherman who use surprisingly little
too. Fewer wake-makers is a boon to them.
I've seen many good fishing lakes destroyed by cheap gas and
cheap booze, which lead to speedsters coming in and tearing things up.
As far as infrastructure, the law of supply and demand might work in
the fuel-misers' favor there. Fewer boats probably means less
expensive dock and mooring fees.
It may even lead to reducing canalside home prices, which are always
at a premium. Not sure about that, though.
My Dad lives on a canal in Punta Gorda, FL, and it always surprises
him - and me - to see all the empty docks along the canals by his
home. It's like that through much of the town.
There's one boat within eyeshot and the owner takes it out once or
twice a year.
Of course Dad doesn't have a boat now either, because he's too infirm
to boat. Maybe higher fuel prices will squelch the "dream" of the old
folks to buy canalside to go boating, and they'll just get a nice
place on a golf course, which might suit them better.
High fuel prices will most hurt those who make a living in the boating
industry.

--Vic

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

Chuck Gould wrote:

Everybody has a different level of dedication to the pastime, and
that's fine. There are a few people who feel that the last thing in
life they would ever give up would be boating, no matter what the
costs or other sacrifices required. On the other end of the scale
there are folks who might go out in a boat if somebody offered them a
ride, but certainly wouldn't pay for the experience.....

Most eveybody else is somewhere in between. A high percentage will
probably spend $100 per weekend to boat. Move that to $200, and there
will be some dropouts. Move it to $300, and the crowd would begin to
thin considerably. Every hundred bucks higher will accelerate the
attrition rate. There's no cost level at which eveybody will instantly
give up boating, but we only need to look around to see that at each
increment of increased cost we lose a few more folks who cannot (or
choose not to) afford it.



Perhaps there's a category of boaters who can afford the petrol prices
but who simply don't want to bend over so the oil companies can shove it
up there.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On May 29, 11:48?am, HK wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
Everybody has a different level of dedication to the pastime, and
that's fine. There are a few people who feel that the last thing in
life they would ever give up would be boating, no matter what the
costs or other sacrifices required. On the other end of the scale
there are folks who might go out in a boat if somebody offered them a
ride, but certainly wouldn't pay for the experience.....

Most eveybody else is somewhere in between. A high percentage will
probably spend $100 per weekend to boat. Move that to $200, and there
will be some dropouts. Move it to $300, and the crowd would begin to
thin considerably. Every hundred bucks higher will accelerate the
attrition rate. There's no cost level at which eveybody will instantly
give up boating, but we only need to look around to see that at each
increment of increased cost we lose a few more folks who cannot (or
choose not to) afford it.

Perhaps there's a category of boaters who can afford the petrol prices
but who simply don't want to bend over so the oil companies can shove it
up there.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

But those folks will continue to drive, fly, heat/cool their homes and
swimming pools. We're fairly well screwed down by the oil companies,
and giving up a part of ones personal enjoyment just to "show 'em"
makes about as much sense as not buying gas on May 15 each year.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On May 29, 11:02�am, Vic Smith
wrote:

As far as infrastructure, the law of supply and demand might work in
the fuel-misers' favor there. *Fewer boats probably means less
expensive dock and mooring fees.

More likely it will mean that the fixed costs reflected in the
overhead, (property taxes, wages, etc) will need to be recovered from
a smaller group of customers with higher costs for services.


�
It may even lead to reducing canalside home prices, which are always
at a premium. *Not sure about that, though.
My Dad lives on a canal in Punta Gorda, FL, and it always surprises
him - and me - to see all the empty docks along the canals by his
home. It's like that through much of the town.
There's one boat within eyeshot and the owner takes it out once or
twice a year.
Of course Dad doesn't have a boat now either, because he's too infirm
to boat. *Maybe higher fuel prices will squelch the "dream" of the old
folks to buy canalside to go boating, and they'll just get a nice
place on a golf course, which might suit them better.
High fuel prices will most hurt those who make a living in the boating
industry.

--Vic

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

Chuck Gould wrote:
On May 29, 11:48?am, HK wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
Everybody has a different level of dedication to the pastime, and
that's fine. There are a few people who feel that the last thing in
life they would ever give up would be boating, no matter what the
costs or other sacrifices required. On the other end of the scale
there are folks who might go out in a boat if somebody offered them a
ride, but certainly wouldn't pay for the experience.....
Most eveybody else is somewhere in between. A high percentage will
probably spend $100 per weekend to boat. Move that to $200, and there
will be some dropouts. Move it to $300, and the crowd would begin to
thin considerably. Every hundred bucks higher will accelerate the
attrition rate. There's no cost level at which eveybody will instantly
give up boating, but we only need to look around to see that at each
increment of increased cost we lose a few more folks who cannot (or
choose not to) afford it.
Perhaps there's a category of boaters who can afford the petrol prices
but who simply don't want to bend over so the oil companies can shove it
up there.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

But those folks will continue to drive, fly, heat/cool their homes and
swimming pools. We're fairly well screwed down by the oil companies,
and giving up a part of ones personal enjoyment just to "show 'em"
makes about as much sense as not buying gas on May 15 each year.


It is very easy to give up boating, when you only boat 1 day a year.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

Chuck Gould wrote:
On May 29, 11:48?am, HK wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
Everybody has a different level of dedication to the pastime, and
that's fine. There are a few people who feel that the last thing in
life they would ever give up would be boating, no matter what the
costs or other sacrifices required. On the other end of the scale
there are folks who might go out in a boat if somebody offered them a
ride, but certainly wouldn't pay for the experience.....
Most eveybody else is somewhere in between. A high percentage will
probably spend $100 per weekend to boat. Move that to $200, and there
will be some dropouts. Move it to $300, and the crowd would begin to
thin considerably. Every hundred bucks higher will accelerate the
attrition rate. There's no cost level at which eveybody will instantly
give up boating, but we only need to look around to see that at each
increment of increased cost we lose a few more folks who cannot (or
choose not to) afford it.
Perhaps there's a category of boaters who can afford the petrol prices
but who simply don't want to bend over so the oil companies can shove it
up there.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

But those folks will continue to drive, fly, heat/cool their homes and
swimming pools. We're fairly well screwed down by the oil companies,
and giving up a part of ones personal enjoyment just to "show 'em"
makes about as much sense as not buying gas on May 15 each year.



Just keep on waving that white flag, Chuckster. Some who can afford
what they want are driving and flying less, using less air conditioning,
and letting the sun heat our pools.

Putting the screws to Big Oil can be an act of patriotism.

"We can't do nuttin', so let's keep on keeping on..."

I've been out boating seven times since the beginning of the season here
this year. I'm keeping a very close eye on fuel consumption and
operating so as to use as little as possible.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

Chuck Gould wrote:
On May 29, 11:02�am, Vic Smith
wrote:

As far as infrastructure, the law of supply and demand might work in
the fuel-misers' favor there. �Fewer boats probably means less
expensive dock and mooring fees.

More likely it will mean that the fixed costs reflected in the
overhead, (property taxes, wages, etc) will need to be recovered from
a smaller group of customers with higher costs for services.



Are you in the running for Boat Manufacturer's Assn "pimp of the year"?

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

"HK" wrote in message
...
Chuck Gould wrote:
On May 29, 11:48?am, HK wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
Everybody has a different level of dedication to the pastime, and
that's fine. There are a few people who feel that the last thing in
life they would ever give up would be boating, no matter what the
costs or other sacrifices required. On the other end of the scale
there are folks who might go out in a boat if somebody offered them a
ride, but certainly wouldn't pay for the experience.....
Most eveybody else is somewhere in between. A high percentage will
probably spend $100 per weekend to boat. Move that to $200, and there
will be some dropouts. Move it to $300, and the crowd would begin to
thin considerably. Every hundred bucks higher will accelerate the
attrition rate. There's no cost level at which eveybody will instantly
give up boating, but we only need to look around to see that at each
increment of increased cost we lose a few more folks who cannot (or
choose not to) afford it.
Perhaps there's a category of boaters who can afford the petrol prices
but who simply don't want to bend over so the oil companies can shove it
up there.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

But those folks will continue to drive, fly, heat/cool their homes and
swimming pools. We're fairly well screwed down by the oil companies,
and giving up a part of ones personal enjoyment just to "show 'em"
makes about as much sense as not buying gas on May 15 each year.



Just keep on waving that white flag, Chuckster. Some who can afford what
they want are driving and flying less, using less air conditioning, and
letting the sun heat our pools.

Putting the screws to Big Oil can be an act of patriotism.

"We can't do nuttin', so let's keep on keeping on..."

I've been out boating seven times since the beginning of the season here
this year. I'm keeping a very close eye on fuel consumption and operating
so as to use as little as possible.

The big boats were comfortably tied to their respective docks when we
traveled down the Vermilion River yesterday. I also counted about a dozen
of those boats with "For Sale" signs on them.

There were, however, many boats running up and down the river in the 17'~27'
range, with the fishing spots on the Lake filled with boats of that size.

Gas on the river was going for $3.79 on average.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

Don White wrote:
"NOYB" wrote in message
link.net...
"HK" wrote in message
. ..
NOYB wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
. ..
NOYB wrote:
"HK" wrote in message
...

In February, I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale. Cost me $250 round trip.
I went charter fishing one day with three other guys, cost me $275.
Cost *you* personally $275...or $275 each? There were 4 of us.
Just me.

Then the rate that I cited was spot on. $275*3 plus tip is over $900.


One night of the hotel was around $300.
Which is more than the $250/night that I cited.
Yeah, and I got a "rate." It was a $500 a night room. Don't ask.

Feb. in South Florida. That's the going rate for the 4 and 5 star
places. The $250/night in the Keys on Memorial Day weekend is for a
pretty spartan place.


Ate maybe $50 of food that day, probably half that.
Once again, you're talking about just *you*. Multiply by the four of
us.

I think your numbers are a bit off.
Yes, if you're only thinking about yourself.

By my calculations, your trip cost you $875 for two days and one
night...with a day of fishing.

My trip cost around $1400 but was divided by four people (actually 3
adults and my son).
Actually, I have just as much fun on the the "head boat" charters out
of Haulover Inlet, since they only have to head a mile or so offshore
for some terrific fishing. Those run about $30 for a half day.

Headboats don't troll for dolphin, wahoo, and tuna. I know that
"anything can happen" on a bottom trip, but you have a lot better chance
trolling for those fish until you find them, and then chunking 'em up
once you do find them.

I love trailering over to the east coast to fish, because quality fish
are caught just a few miles from shore. But I'm not targeting bottom
species if I make that trek. I'm after pelagics.


I'm not. I like the reef fishing. You never know what you are going to
find, though typically I catch kingfish and sometimes yellowtail. I don't
believe in C&R for pelagics, and I have no need of that amount of fish
for the table or freezer. When I catch a kingfish, I bring it back to the
hotel, have the chef cook up something nice for my party, and let him
decide what to do with the rest of the steaks.

I'm not a big fan of kingfish. The flesh is too grey for me. It's good
on the smoker though.

Yellowtail are excellent.

If I make the trip to the east coast or the Keys, I'm hoping to get a
large dolphin, wahoo, or tuna to bring enough back for the freezer.


Leave the dolphins alone!



We eat them all the time here. Occasionally we'll score a bald eagle
for some Yankee surf & turf.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On Tue, 29 May 2007 18:19:15 -0400, HK wrote:

Are you in the running for Boat Manufacturer's Assn "pimp of the year"?

Unnecessary roughness, 15 yard penalty.

Do not pass go.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On May 29, 7:11�pm, Wayne.B wrote:
On Tue, 29 May 2007 18:19:15 -0400, HK wrote:
Are you in the running for Boat Manufacturer's Assn "pimp of the year"?

Unnecessary roughness, 15 yard penalty. *

Do not pass go.

Give him a break, Wayne. It's the only trick the old has-been can
manage to remember. His Momma should have taught him some manners.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On 29 May 2007 19:37:51 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

Give him a break, Wayne. It's the only trick the old has-been can
manage to remember. His Momma should have taught him some manners.

You'd think.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On Tue, 29 May 2007 22:11:50 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Tue, 29 May 2007 18:19:15 -0400, HK wrote:

Are you in the running for Boat Manufacturer's Assn "pimp of the year"?

Unnecessary roughness, 15 yard penalty.

Do not pass go.

Now that was funny.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Tue, 29 May 2007 22:11:50 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Tue, 29 May 2007 18:19:15 -0400, HK wrote:

Are you in the running for Boat Manufacturer's Assn "pimp of the year"?
Unnecessary roughness, 15 yard penalty.

Do not pass go.

Now that was funny.


What? My line or Wayne's inability to keep a sports metaphor straight
for two sentences?

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On Wed, 30 May 2007 06:34:44 -0400, HK wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Tue, 29 May 2007 22:11:50 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Tue, 29 May 2007 18:19:15 -0400, HK wrote:

Are you in the running for Boat Manufacturer's Assn "pimp of the year"?
Unnecessary roughness, 15 yard penalty.

Do not pass go.

Now that was funny.


What? My line or Wayne's inability to keep a sports metaphor straight
for two sentences?

Harrie, your lines are *always* the funniest!

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

On Tue, 29 May 2007 18:18:28 -0400, HK wrote:



I've been out boating seven times since the beginning of the season here
this year.

That's what I mean about you having the funniest lines!

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

(sni[[ed)
Almost everybody who dropped out mentioned
fuel costs as either the main reason or one of the more important
reasons for cancelling."

I've noticed on the river in front of my home this year, that while the
number of boats hasn't seemed to decrease, the size and obvious cost of
those boats seems to have dramatically increased. Some of these boats
belong over on Lake Michigan rather that a medium sized inland river. Not
many small boats pulling water skiers. One boat running two very large
outboards and going well over the 45mph speed limit on the river. I'm
guessing that these people are saving on the cost of trailering to bigger
water and taking advantage of less small boat traffic due to gas costs.
Can't wait 'till the water level drops and these "new to this stretch of
water" boaters, start running up on the big sand bar across from my place.
It's soft enough that no one gets hurt or damages boat, but watching them
get out of the boat and push is always interesting. But then, no one has
hit it, going at the speed these idiots are running.

Tom G.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

No shoot. I get hit up at the stop lights and parking lots all the time
to sell the '79 Diesel Rabbit I bop around town in. SUV louts the bunch
of 'em....
JR

Keith wrote:

I love it. Every time fuel costs go up, my single diesel trawler's
value goes up. Fuel is probably the least cost of cruising for me.
Insurance and maintenance are way up there, dockage also.



--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

"JR North" wrote in message
.. .
No shoot. I get hit up at the stop lights and parking lots all the time to
sell the '79 Diesel Rabbit I bop around town in.


Sure you do.

Boaters changing behavior in response to fuel costs.
 

NOYB wrote:
"JR North" wrote in message
.. .
No shoot. I get hit up at the stop lights and parking lots all the time to
sell the '79 Diesel Rabbit I bop around town in.


Sure you do.




I have a friend who used to own one of those. Gawd, what a diesel stench
in that car. Worse in a care ever. Sounded like a cement mixer, too. But
he did get good mileage. He never could get a girl to go out with him
twice, though, because the diesel smell permeated everything.