To unwrap or not.

[Jgren]

With the season closing in soon its about time to take the shrink wrap off. Unfortunately not everyone is going to be able to afford the cost of fuel at 2-3x what it was so im intrested to see how many people are debating or planning on leaving their boats wrapped up.

 

[superwa]

Maybe shorter trips here and there, but we’ll be out anytime weather permits. Can’t imagine having the boat and not using it.

 

[Jaybeaux]

We are planning a 700 mile, 2+ week trip this year. Estimates are for 1050 gallons of diesel. We are definately doing this trip regardless of how screwed up this Administration is able to get fuel prices. Having said that, the weekend trips/boat useage, may be a bit more judicious. Shorter trips, cocktail speed, etc. So, in response to your survey, I am somewhere between Options #3 and #4.

Please pass the pencil sharpener.

Jaybeaux

 

[Blueone]

Use it or lose it

 

[Creekwood]

I just was talking with my BIL last night about that issue. He asked if the high fuel prices would change my use this year. And he asked about the fuel usage.

I told him what I tell everyone. All of the other costs I spend on the boat are the cost of getting ready to spend money on fuel. And burning fuel means I am using the boat. Trying to save money by not using something, defeats the whole purpose of having it.

I don't use the boat as a cottage or condo though. I have it to use it.

Interestingly, my actual brother was in town from Calgary and he started to talk about his cars and the fact that his heavily modified twin turbo Audi S4 (about 900hp now) is expensive to run. He needs 94 octane or better and can only get about 100 miles out of the tank. I guess it never occurred to me that high HP means lots of fuel, even in a "street" car.

 

[spikedaddy99]

I may not cruise at 2000rpms as much this year, but she's getting used.

 

[Stee6043]

This year I'll really appreciate not knowing how much fuel I'm burning (ie still no fuel flow meters).

 

[Nater Potater]

I think I'll be spending more for tow vehicle fuel this year than what actually goes into the boat. Retrieving the boat to work on it at home, then back north, then round-trip to the Tri-cities will put on over 1500 trailer miles with the diesel truck. Even with today's (this morning's?) price of $4.30, that's around $650, and that's before even getting the hull wet! Yes, I'm still boating, but will be more price-conscious.

 

[JayhawkCurtis]

We won’t be camping/boating as much this summer, but fuel prices isn’t the reason. We are adding on a dining room, enlarging And remodeling the Kitchen, you think fuel prices are crazy, take a look at lumber and construction materials!

 

[Gofirstclass]

Retrieving the boat to work on it at home, then back north, then round-trip to the Tri-cities will put on over 1500 trailer miles with the diesel truck.

Yeah but look at the bright side...the boat will be getting GREAT mileage when you're towing it up here to run on the Columbia. And think how great the mileage on the truck will be when it's parked waiting for you guys to finish your trip down the Snake.

Makin' memories is what this trip is all about.

 

[Strecker25]

my kid is going to be 4 this year, I have memories from when I was that age swimming and playing on the boat. I'm burning as much fuel as possible

 

[Shenanigans77]

my kid is going to be 4 this year, I have memories from when I was that age swimming and playing on the boat. I'm burning as much fuel as possible

Exactly this. It’s my kids boat, they just let me drive them around in it. “We arent going boating cause dad doesnt wanna pony up for gas” will NOT be an acceptable answer. I wont drink any beer this year to offset fuel costs.

Yeah, Thats a lie. I couldnt even type that with a straight face.

 

[b_arrington]

I just got my son's travel baseball info. 3 tournaments this summer, plus regular season games. So, not as many trips as I'd like.

I'm really appreciating my decision to stick with a single engine boat. And the diesel is more efficient than a gas motor. We'll just ignore the upfront purchase cost for this discussion....

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I suspect there will a lot of boats that turn into floating cabins this year.

 

[Skybolt]

I guess you need to wrapped to be able to un-wrap, but I stay in the water for winter and under a covered dock. I am about to move to my seasonal slip in another week or two. Which means April 1st the festivities begin. My dock buddies are already planning trips for April. Can't wait!

We love boating too much to even think about not using the boat. If the fuel prices impact our boating then something else will be given up so we can use still use the boat. Remember don't look at the total fuel bill, look at the difference between last years average price and and this years price. Probably will end up being the cost of a nice dinner out or something like that. At least that's how I am looking at this all.

 

[Nater Potater]

Yeah but look at the bright side...the boat will be getting GREAT mileage when you're towing it up here to run on the Columbia. And think how great the mileage on the truck will be when it's parked waiting for you guys to finish your trip down the Snake.

Makin' memories is what this trip is all about.

Definitely going to be there, even if it means trimming back in other areas. You're not getting rid of me that easily!

 

[Stray Current]

I might only put 200 hours on this year versus the 4 to 500 I usually shoot for.

Truth be told I've been falling well short of that 500 number for the past few years anyway just because life has been busy

 

[blaster]

I bet those guys who store their fuel tanks empty are kicking themselves this spring.

 

[MoonRiver]

floating cabins

OK as long as they don't start stinking. I've have no problem letting someone know their boat needs to take a dump. Slip queens!

 

[Blueone]

I bet those guys who store their fuel tanks empty are kicking themselves this spring.

That’s pretty mean…and true……I am one of those guys….and I will fill the damn boat this spring…..despite this ass hole President and enjoy my summer….no matter how many fills it takes… damn phucker