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Back from a week on the 'Dark Side'

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/07/2005 : 22:30:53

I spent the last week houseboating/powerboating over on Trinity Lake (Ca). By the end of the week I was very grateful that my primary recreation is sailing.

I figure that I burned more fuel in one day than I'd used in the last 10 years of sailing. At $3.50/gal for marina fuel, the dollars were spinning up so fast on the the gas pumps that they needed some sort of water-cooling to keep 'em from catching fire.

I watched the wakeboard boats doing daily fill-ups to the tune of a $100 bill. (or more) That's gotta hurt. Even my puny 140 hp outdrive was vaporizing a $50 bill or so after several sessions of boatrides and dragging the kids around on the tube.

One change is already evident, the V-8 'thunder boats' were nowhere to be seen this year. (IMHO: That part is no loss).

I predict that another dollar or two at the pump is going to radically alter the face of boating. (as well as the entire economy).

I think sailing may be making a big comeback in the near future... gotta hang on to these boats.

WOTAM - '77 Catalina 25 SK/SR Sail Number 158

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2005 : 22:40:11

Those of us that can remember 1974 can think of the advent of the trawler and the proliferation of sailboats. Of course, there were those interest rates (gasp!)Ron srsk Orion #2343 SW FK

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2005 : 22:45:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ClamBeach
 
I predict that another dollar or two at the pump is going to radically alter the face of boating. (as well as the entire economy).

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No doubt. My trip to the San Juans last month cost almost $400 just for fuel in the tow vehicle, and that's for $2.45 diesel. If it eventually hits $5.00, as it already is in some parts of Europe, I will have to give up my truck and switch to an econo-box car. If that happens, I guess I will move the boat back to the Delta to an in-water slip so I don't have to drive the truck every time, as I have to now to launch the boat from dry storage. I haven't seen much drop in powerboating on Folsom Lake this summer, but I HAVE heard that attendance at the National Parks is down noticeably this summer, especially big RV's. I wonder if the whole RV industry is set to implode? I sure couldn't afford to own a typical 6 mpg motor home, even now with gas at "only" $2.50, let alone if it rises another buck or two.

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John P
Captain

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USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2005 : 07:31:10

Interesting!

Up here where I live (8 miles south of Quebec, 55 minutes from Montreal), all the marinas are full of Canadians, trying to escape the high fuel price in the states. The marina where my cradle is located has only 3 US boats. The other 100 or so are Canadian, and most are sail. The marina where my boat is docked is about 99% Canadian, yet almost all are power (and huge power). Quite a few 30-40 footers with twin screws. These folks just got off of a 2-week holiday, from which most people spent on their boats. The fuel price at my dock is $2.99 or $2.94 if you rent dock space.

Yea, I'm greatful for sail and greatful for my Subaru Forester (sadly, no more pickup or Jeep for me with these fuel prices). Oh, and let's not forget the bike. I live 2 miles away from my boat, so I ride my bike to the dock when possible.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2005 : 07:32:58

I sure hope that none of the mutual funds in my 401k owns Winnebago

That's good news about the "thunderboats"

My Keys trip last April cost 600 in gas Next year's trip will be even more

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John P
Captain

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USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2005 : 09:08:51

Yea, what a difference a favorable exchange rate makes.

As for those "Thunder" boats, I was in Quebec Saturday night for supper at a nice Italian place on the Richeleu (sp) river, and about 5 minutes there was a 30' speedboat that kept ripping by, doing about 40 or so and loud as can be. Basically we thought he was just doing laps between the locks to kill time or just burn fuel. What an annoyance. At least on a lake or ocean, the sound can be dissipated, but on a river, it is horrible.

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glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2005 : 19:28:38

John...I didn't pay much attention to it but I believe the annual cigarette boat races were held on the St. Lawrence last week. I noticed many both along the river between Ogdensburg and Montreal and on the highways.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.