HOW IS THE ECONOMY EFFECTING BOATING

Hi all,
One thing I have noticed is an increase in the boaters arriving at my marina carrying gas cans in their vehicles to fuel their boats, which is a big safety hazard on the road. I saw some folks arrive last week in an SUV with kids in the back seat and five full, red plastic gas cans in the cargo area. Just think where those cans, and the gas, would wind up in a wreck, or even just a panic stop. Where I buy gas on Clear Lake it's about 25 cents higher than the gas stations, so if they carried 20 gallons in the cans they were saving themselves five bucks to risk a possible inferno in an accident. It's not worth it.

Just my thoughts.

Mike
 
I'm also a CG-Auxiliary Coxswain whose C-Dory is a qualified operational facility. I too am enjoying the fact that the government buys the fuel for patrols and exercises, etc. In addition, the "Coasties" enjoy having a 22-foot boat available for their drills, instead of having to always hook up to "one of those d___ed 36-footers." Life is good!
Kent Richmond
 
As a USCGAUX member, I better get my quals back up to spec after my medical dockings. There is a need for boats and coxswains around here in the lower Ches. Bay, and yes, the cost offset, even with membership dues.


Another food for thought......
If it applies, I would also suggest a close look at any tidal current useage while planning any trips. I like to plan our trips with the tides here to gain an extra 1-3kts of SOG. (Must be the old sailing bug that still is in the blood; but now, I'd much rather sit in the comfort of the CD25.)
 
The Tacoma Boat Show was this weekend and I spent a good amount of time talking with dealers, merchandise folks and looking a boat prices. Sales of new boats were weak,and the prices were down on most. A sriking example for us personally was the C-Dory 25 LUSR had at the show. It was show priced at 78k+change as opposed to 89k+change at the Seattle Show in January..saw some similar drops in some other makes like Bayliner,Arima, .etc.
I also have talked with a used boat dealer ,and his sales have been strong, but he does deal in small craft under 26' mostly. So there is still some sweet spots in the market out there.
 
westward":315ly4q6 said:
I can say for sure that some of my friends with Osprey's, SeaSports, C-Hawks, etc. will absolutely reign in their boating this year. Something about a $100.00 bill for the day's fuel starts to take the fun out of boating. People are practically giving away larger boats with twin gas engines (eg. uniflite, Carver, SeaRay) in the used market right now. Those Ranger 21's are looking like a good choice right about now. Best to all, Mike.
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$100 ? they must not being running much.

I am being told $300-$800 in my neck of the woods. if they are running offshore. I guy I know has a Parker 25, he says it a $400 a day deal.

Cheers :beer

James
 
Well as a new C-Dory owner who made the choice in part for the fuel economy given all you get in the 22, I/we will be looking the other way this year as we fill the tanks. We have saved up a bunch of vacation and put off future trips over seas or back to South and Central America. So we will be seeing you on the water whenever we have time.
The boat purchase money could be invested and boat values don't often go up. So the cost of gas saved by parking the boat is overshadowed by the daily cost of ownership. Boat life to the fullest!
 
i spoke with byrdman recently about this economy thing and he stated, it's really hurting him as well, he said he could no longer stock the typical case of OPUS ONE cabernet sauvignon and instead has changed to a lower quality of boones farm, 04/01/2008 vintage.
for me, i've decided to postpone the purchase of that 200' mega yacht i've been looking at, for sale, in the magazine, at least until things start looking better.
that's my story and i'm sticking to it!
have a great day y'all!
pat
 
It is not just the fuel--but filling up a Tom Cat around here on the water costs from $600 to $675. Our taxes have remained high, even with house values decreasing, and homeowner's insurnace has gone out the roof--literally! So that leaves less money for descrissionary boating costs, sich as fuel. Then the costs of trailering--again fuel dependant. We still have inflation, with food and supplies costing more.

West Marine total sales last quater were significantly lower than a year ago, and there was a significant loss (I am sure a lot of that was write offs). Boat sales in anything more than 26 feet in new boats is very slow. Most boatbuilders have laid off employees. There are more layoffs in the general sector. I think we will have more rocky times ahead--and personally we will be going shorter distances.
 
Right now, we are on our way to our daughter's house in Phoenix, cruising along the Gulf coast in southern Arizona. Not sure what's going on, but we have found fuel for just under a dollar per gallon! I filled up the fuel tank, 6 aux tanks, the fresh water tank, the sink, and all the rubber gloves we keep onboard to use when handling pumpout hoses. The run across west Texas was unbelievably scenic, and for once we didn't have a headwind!

Not only that, Molly the cat used her litterbox and it didn't stink!

What a day! What a day!

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Pat Anderson":3a1bkjcq said:
One more money saving tip - drink Evan Williams instead of Jack Daniels!
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all that and switch to animal beer or Milwaukees best in place of those microbrews
or better yet, go home brew
 
JamesTXSD" Not sure what's going on said:
Close to the same here today, Jim. I went into Arlington today and found regular unleaded fuel at the Safeway fuel pumps for $1.03.9 per gallon. Unfortunately, I was in the diesel truck and it was $4.00 plus per gallon. :sad .
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Credit crunch, housing prices tanking, foreclosures highest in years, jobless claims highest in years (reported today), personal and federal gov't indebtedness highest in years, consumer spending slowing to a crawl heavily impacting profitability of US companies, costs of fuel and food rising (globally, food cost rise is a crisis), Bernanke says "we're in a difficult period" ...

So -- what to do with our 'boating budget'? Most Brats have said the same as we feel and have done for years -- slow down (to reduce fuel costs), swing on an anchor (and avoid marina costs), travel less distance and relax in a beautiful anchorage more. Fewer boats on the water is an advantage. The simple life is less stressful, less costly, and more rewarding.

Back in the early '90's there was a similar 'slow-down' of water use due to a gov't decision to tax more on 'yachts' -- we cruised the Great Loop then, sailing a good part of the way in our 20' Flicka, and found it delightfully quiet and peaceful at boat ramps, anchorages and underway -- expect it to be the same this year (and maybe for several more years).

Sitting at anchorage longer will give us more time to try to figure out how to better invest our retirement savings during these 'hard' times.
 
Yes, Phil (on CCFlyer), way cheaper in US than in Europe for sure (we were on a boat in Greece earlier this year).

This is primarily the result of the collapse of the US dollar (reaching new lows almost daily) than from anything in the European economy. In fact, it was almost cheaper to use greenbacks in the head rather than buy European toilet paper -- A small pizza cost the equivalent of more than US$30, although still a reasonable price for those who are paid in Euros (We didn't buy it, by the way).

So, our economic problems here mean that our savings (in US dollars) are down the gurgler in most of the rest of the world, so it is indeed better to spend our money for cruising on our economical C-Dorys here in the US than traveling most places abroad.

Now, a question for our Canadian friends in the pub? Do you folks find it cheaper in US water now that the Canadian Loony is about on a par to the greenback? Should we consider the currency exchange before planning extended cruises in Canadian water due to higher fuel, food, marina, etc. costs?
 
Now, a question for our Canadian friends in the pub? Do you folks find it cheaper in US water now that the Canadian Loony is about on a par to the greenback? Should we consider the currency exchange before planning extended cruises in Canadian water due to higher fuel, food, marina, etc. costs?
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El & Bill,
Yes, you bet its cheaper.
What the US is experiencing right now in a declining dollar is something many countries of the world have gone through at various times and for many reasons. Not too many years ago the Canadian looney was as low as $0.62 US. It made travel to the US for Canadians very expensive and consequently many stayed home. I think adjusting to a declining currency is difficult. Prices keep climbing, not only because of natural inflation, but largely due to the shrinking buying power. People begin to have to make choices, do I travel to that foreign destination or do I stay closer to home? The exchange rate, which is something the US didn't have to consider for many years, can be the main reason for deciding to stay home. A declining currency can, in the long run, be good for a country though. Canada had to made some tough choices 10 or so years ago. Our taxes were out of wack, (compared to the US some say we still are) the government spending was in deficit every year, our national debt was climbing astronomically, a lot of this is similar to what is occurring now in the states. The good news is, over time the deficit was beaten. Canada has ran a surplus in gov spending for the last 10 years, the national debt is under control and declining, and even though the US is our largest trading partner we are so far, probably due to exporting/selling a lot of natural gas, oil and natural resources, avoiding a significant down turn in the economy. The upside of a low $ is that your manufacturing sector is in a much more advantageous situation right know as far as exports go. Products made in the US are much cheaper to buy for us foreigners. I personally am now looking at a piece of equipment from the US for my business. The price in $Canadian 4 years ago was $300,000, now it is $195,000, it certainly makes the purchase much more feasible. The low US $ also means a lot more foreign tourists as travel becomes less in their currency. I think in the longer term, after your economy has adjusted, it will come through stronger than ever. Getting to that point can be very hard on individuals though. I know it certainly doesn't help when you go to fill up your boat or vehicle, but... by world, and Canada's standards you still have some of the cheapest prices for fuel. Up here we are envious of your $4.50 a gallon. :mrgreen:
Sorry for the long rant, don't give up on boating, or traveling, just find ways to stay a little longer in one spot, eat out a little less and still enjoy.
Ron
 
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