Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
 

One question that continues to bug me after returning from our 16 days
on the boat this month...."Where was everybody?"

We saw almost no US boats in Howe Sound, which we attributed to the
fact that Howe Sound isn't one of the "pop" destinations for US
boaters. When we were discussing our boating plans with friends and
acquaintances, several admitted being less than absolutely certain
where Howe Sound was...... and some of them trek considerably farther
to Desoloation Sound on a regular basis.

After we left Howe Sound, places that are typically crowded were not.

Thetis Island Marina, almost empty on a weeknight.
Geoa Bay, guest moorage about 1/3 full
Empty slips, lots of them, at Friday Harbor.....where it's not unusual
to be turned away late on a summer afternoon.
Several other examples, some not quite as dramatic.

My theory, and it's pretty well untestable, is that even though fuel
prices are down about $1 a gallon from what they shot up to last
spring those high fuel prices may have occured at a time when people
were making summer vacation plans. Could be that a lot of folks just
assumed that running their boat would be "out of the question" at $4-5
per gallon for fuel, and made vacation plans that involved flying to
Hawaii or something else instead.

If my theory proves correct, there will be some excellent deals
available on boat pretty soon. Folks who are only so-so committed to
the pastime will
look at continuing payments, moorage, maintenance, and insurance for a
boat that "we're not using anymore" and elect to sell. Could easily
make the perpetual buyer's market in used boats even more affordable.

Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
 

On Aug 31, 6:32 pm, "JimH" ask wrote:
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message

ups.com...





One question that continues to bug me after returning from our 16 days
on the boat this month...."Where was everybody?"

We saw almost no US boats in Howe Sound, which we attributed to the
fact that Howe Sound isn't one of the "pop" destinations for US
boaters. When we were discussing our boating plans with friends and
acquaintances, several admitted being less than absolutely certain
where Howe Sound was...... and some of them trek considerably farther
to Desoloation Sound on a regular basis.

After we left Howe Sound, places that are typically crowded were not.

Thetis Island Marina, almost empty on a weeknight.
Geoa Bay, guest moorage about 1/3 full
Empty slips, lots of them, at Friday Harbor.....where it's not unusual
to be turned away late on a summer afternoon.
Several other examples, some not quite as dramatic.

My theory, and it's pretty well untestable, is that even though fuel
prices are down about $1 a gallon from what they shot up to last
spring those high fuel prices may have occured at a time when people
were making summer vacation plans. Could be that a lot of folks just
assumed that running their boat would be "out of the question" at $4-5
per gallon for fuel, and made vacation plans that involved flying to
Hawaii or something else instead.

If my theory proves correct, there will be some excellent deals
available on boat pretty soon. Folks who are only so-so committed to
the pastime will
look at continuing payments, moorage, maintenance, and insurance for a
boat that "we're not using anymore" and elect to sell. Could easily
make the perpetual buyer's market in used boats even more affordable.

Gasoline prices at the docks in our area were at $3.09 when we filled up
last Sunday. That being the case I agree with you............rising prices
have kept the larger boats and gas guzzling go fast boats tied to the docks.

I also agree that these boats will depreciate in value faster than normally
expected.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Not a lot of action at the lakes this year, except for locals going
out in the evenings. lately it's been too blasted hot!

Last friday the temps were a strangling 108-112 degrees F.

Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
 

On Aug 31, 7:12 pm, Chuck Gould wrote:


If my theory proves correct, there will be some excellent deals
available on boat pretty soon. Folks who are only so-so committed to
the pastime will
look at continuing payments, moorage, maintenance, and insurance for a
boat that "we're not using anymore" and elect to sell. Could easily
make the perpetual buyer's market in used boats even more affordable.

SW was noting that yesterday, but not being familiar with the water we
were on, 80, variable clouds, no wind, no boats either. Now that you
mention it I have noticed it this summer, in ways that's better for
me, although I know it means other boaters have been spent off the
water and I feel bad for them... I keep offering my skiff to my
neighbor so he can go out if he wants to save a few bucks. He has a
Grady 22 with a 150, docked 60 miles away. But he has been getting out
every weekend to camp on the water. Probably just does not cruise as
much.

Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
 

On Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:12:24 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

One question that continues to bug me after returning from our 16 days
on the boat this month...."Where was everybody?"

Scot and I went out to The Race yesterday and there were maybe four
boats total in the immediate area - as in within a mile radius of
where we were. Only a couple at Watch Hill Light and when we ran back
to The Race to bounce lures off the bottom, only a couple of head
boats.

That, my friend, is very unusual for a Thursday before Labor Day.
Usually there are wall-to-wall boats - in particular at Ebb Tide at
The Race.

The radio was quiet too. A couple of guys working the break outside
of Fisher's Island - thousand yards from were we were were talking a
lot, but no heavy marina traffic or commercial traffic. There was
nothing between us and Block Island when we were at Fisher's either.

You're right - it was unusual.

Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
 

Chuck Gould wrote:
One question that continues to bug me after returning from our 16 days
on the boat this month...."Where was everybody?"

We saw almost no US boats in Howe Sound, which we attributed to the
fact that Howe Sound isn't one of the "pop" destinations for US
boaters. When we were discussing our boating plans with friends and
acquaintances, several admitted being less than absolutely certain
where Howe Sound was...... and some of them trek considerably farther
to Desoloation Sound on a regular basis.

After we left Howe Sound, places that are typically crowded were not.

Thetis Island Marina, almost empty on a weeknight.
Geoa Bay, guest moorage about 1/3 full
Empty slips, lots of them, at Friday Harbor.....where it's not unusual
to be turned away late on a summer afternoon.
Several other examples, some not quite as dramatic.

My theory, and it's pretty well untestable, is that even though fuel
prices are down about $1 a gallon from what they shot up to last
spring those high fuel prices may have occured at a time when people
were making summer vacation plans. Could be that a lot of folks just
assumed that running their boat would be "out of the question" at $4-5
per gallon for fuel, and made vacation plans that involved flying to
Hawaii or something else instead.

If my theory proves correct, there will be some excellent deals
available on boat pretty soon. Folks who are only so-so committed to
the pastime will
look at continuing payments, moorage, maintenance, and insurance for a
boat that "we're not using anymore" and elect to sell. Could easily
make the perpetual buyer's market in used boats even more affordable.



I had to wait 15 minutes to get to the ramps at Breezy Point
Wednesday...there were three boats ahead of me for the deepest ramp.

Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
 

On Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:32:53 -0400, "JimH" ask wrote:

My theory, and it's pretty well untestable, is that even though fuel
prices are down about $1 a gallon from what they shot up to last
spring those high fuel prices may have occured at a time when people
were making summer vacation plans. Could be that a lot of folks just
assumed that running their boat would be "out of the question" at $4-5
per gallon for fuel, and made vacation plans that involved flying to
Hawaii or something else instead.

I konw we discussed pricing last spring and I was noticing a lot of
the bass tournament types weren't traveling as far or as often as they
had even the previous year.

Even the local tournaments have noticed a decrease in entries for the
Fall tournaments.

Some guys I know are working the FLW Strpier Tournament are not
traveling to more than two tournaments hoping to make their money on
the local tournaments to place for the big tournament.

Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
 

On Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:12:24 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

One question that continues to bug me after returning from our 16 days
on the boat this month...."Where was everybody?"

We've noticed the same thing in the north east this summer and it has
been confirmed by a number of locals that traffic and business are
both down by a considerable amount. We've been living aboard and
cruising from port to port all summer and have seen a lot more
anchoring room and available moorings in some of our favorite spots.

You have border crossing issues in your area which is probably
compounding what ever other factors are at work. Not everyone wants
to hassle with govt red tape if there are other alternatives. That
doesn't explain the north east however. I think many people are
feeling financially squeezed one way or another. Except for CEOs and
very senior management, almost no one is keeping up with inflation.
The chickens are coming home to roost with variable rate mortgages,
property values are flat to down, the home equity loan game is
largely over, insurance for almost everything is up, energy costs are
up, many taxes are up, everything associated with residential
construction is off, and on and on and on. When people are feeling
squeezed they start to cut back on the non essentials, and boating
falls into that category for most. If things get worse, vacation
travel of all kinds will probably be next, along with the things like
the restaurant business.

Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
 

On Aug 31, 8:00 pm, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:37:25 -0000, Tim wrote:
On Aug 31, 6:32 pm, "JimH" ask wrote:
"Chuck Gould" wrote in message

roups.com...

One question that continues to bug me after returning from our 16 days
on the boat this month...."Where was everybody?"

We saw almost no US boats in Howe Sound, which we attributed to the
fact that Howe Sound isn't one of the "pop" destinations for US
boaters. When we were discussing our boating plans with friends and
acquaintances, several admitted being less than absolutely certain
where Howe Sound was...... and some of them trek considerably farther
to Desoloation Sound on a regular basis.

After we left Howe Sound, places that are typically crowded were not.

Thetis Island Marina, almost empty on a weeknight.
Geoa Bay, guest moorage about 1/3 full
Empty slips, lots of them, at Friday Harbor.....where it's not unusual
to be turned away late on a summer afternoon.
Several other examples, some not quite as dramatic.

My theory, and it's pretty well untestable, is that even though fuel
prices are down about $1 a gallon from what they shot up to last
spring those high fuel prices may have occured at a time when people
were making summer vacation plans. Could be that a lot of folks just
assumed that running their boat would be "out of the question" at $4-5
per gallon for fuel, and made vacation plans that involved flying to
Hawaii or something else instead.

If my theory proves correct, there will be some excellent deals
available on boat pretty soon. Folks who are only so-so committed to
the pastime will
look at continuing payments, moorage, maintenance, and insurance for a
boat that "we're not using anymore" and elect to sell. Could easily
make the perpetual buyer's market in used boats even more affordable.

Gasoline prices at the docks in our area were at $3.09 when we filled up
last Sunday. That being the case I agree with you............rising prices
have kept the larger boats and gas guzzling go fast boats tied to the docks.

I also agree that these boats will depreciate in value faster than normally
expected.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Not a lot of action at the lakes this year, except for locals going
out in the evenings. lately it's been too blasted hot!

Last friday the temps were a strangling 108-112 degrees F.

Tim, to which lakes are you referring?
--
***** Hope your day is better than decent! *****

John H- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Carlyle Lake (S. IL) Omega Lake (Forbes state park) Twin forks.
(Olney IL) Lake Shelbyville (Shelbyville IL)

Those are the lakes in my local area, Jim. And Even though I don't
frequent a couple of them, I do know of others that have said that
attendance was down due to weather.

Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
 

Wayne.B wrote:
On Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:12:24 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

One question that continues to bug me after returning from our 16 days
on the boat this month...."Where was everybody?"

We've noticed the same thing in the north east this summer and it has
been confirmed by a number of locals that traffic and business are
both down by a considerable amount. We've been living aboard and
cruising from port to port all summer and have seen a lot more
anchoring room and available moorings in some of our favorite spots.

You have border crossing issues in your area which is probably
compounding what ever other factors are at work. Not everyone wants
to hassle with govt red tape if there are other alternatives. That
doesn't explain the north east however. I think many people are
feeling financially squeezed one way or another. Except for CEOs and
very senior management, almost no one is keeping up with inflation.
The chickens are coming home to roost with variable rate mortgages,
property values are flat to down, the home equity loan game is
largely over, insurance for almost everything is up, energy costs are
up, many taxes are up, everything associated with residential
construction is off, and on and on and on. When people are feeling
squeezed they start to cut back on the non essentials, and boating
falls into that category for most. If things get worse, vacation
travel of all kinds will probably be next, along with the things like
the restaurant business.



Gee. The Bush Mis-Administration keeps telling us the economy is terrific.

Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
 

On Aug 31, 7:46 pm, HK wrote:
Wayne.B wrote:
On Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:12:24 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

One question that continues to bug me after returning from our 16 days
on the boat this month...."Where was everybody?"

We've noticed the same thing in the north east this summer and it has
been confirmed by a number of locals that traffic and business are
both down by a considerable amount. We've been living aboard and
cruising from port to port all summer and have seen a lot more
anchoring room and available moorings in some of our favorite spots.

You have border crossing issues in your area which is probably
compounding what ever other factors are at work. Not everyone wants
to hassle with govt red tape if there are other alternatives. That
doesn't explain the north east however. I think many people are
feeling financially squeezed one way or another. Except for CEOs and
very senior management, almost no one is keeping up with inflation.
The chickens are coming home to roost with variable rate mortgages,
property values are flat to down, the home equity loan game is
largely over, insurance for almost everything is up, energy costs are
up, many taxes are up, everything associated with residential
construction is off, and on and on and on. When people are feeling
squeezed they start to cut back on the non essentials, and boating
falls into that category for most. If things get worse, vacation
travel of all kinds will probably be next, along with the things like
the restaurant business.

Gee. The Bush Mis-Administration keeps telling us the economy is terrific.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

harry, must you take a thread like this and make a snide political
statement?