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#1
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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. |
#2
posted to rec.boats
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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. |
#3
posted to rec.boats
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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. |
#4
posted to rec.boats
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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. |
#5
posted to rec.boats
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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. |
#6
posted to rec.boats
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Anybody else notice uncrowded conditions this summer?
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#7
posted to rec.boats
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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. |
#8
posted to rec.boats
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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. |
#9
posted to rec.boats
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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. |
#10
posted to rec.boats
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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? |
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