A modern planing hull built in North Carolina, of cold molded plywood. I shudder at what it probably costs, though. But it's definitely cool.
Posted on 04/09/2006 5:58:02 PM PDT by Capt. Tom
Another working man's boating disaster is on the way.
The economy is good; but the high prices of marina fuel, marina slips, boat insurance, maintenance, is going to kill boating for a lot of working people starting this coming season.
I see a repeat of the early 1990s, when I moved from the Boston area to Boston's south shore. I went to a local marina and asked to get on a waiting list for a boat slip, I knew it would take years to get in. I was laughed at, the marina operator told me he had a waiting list for slips equal to all the boats in the marina and I was wasting my time-two years later in a bad economy, they had several empty slips for the entire season.
I see this happening again. When the people in the marinas bail out for economic reasons, as I expect will start this season, many people on the waiting lists will find out they can't afford the slips,and the fuel prices either.
Non-boat owners can't relate to filling up a boat fuel tank and spending between $100 and in the case of big twin diesels in a sportfisherman a thousand dollars a fillup.
I brought a 45 Cabo, twin 800 hp diesels up from the Bahamas last spring with the owner onboard. He put $8,700 of diesel into the tanks. Now most working men don't have boats that big, and with that much horsepower,or that kind of money for fuel. I am talking about working class boaters who don't have a lot of money left over each week to pay those really high fuel bills that started last season.
Boats use a lot of fuel (1-3 mpg). If you have $3.00/gallon to deal with ashore, the boat owner has $3.30 - $3.80 to deal with in the marina.
It's not just the fuel, the rising slip fees are another factor. In my area now, they are from $100/foot to $175/foot for a boat in a slip for the season. Usually May thru Mid October.
Last season was the economic handwriting on the wall, but most boaters toughed it out. The reality of economics will take its toll this season.
I see ancedotes indicating the boating problem right now. The boat I use on charter has been in the water since the end of March; at a year round, ice free marina, that usually has 30 or so boats there this time of year. I counted 13 today. We will move out of this marina to our regular marina in mid May when it opens for the season.
I just don't see fuel prices going down. China and India need more fuel. The mideast is shaky. Hugo Chavez (Venezuela) is a lose cannon. - tom
Of course, catching the big one is priceless.
Sounds like a good time to buy. I'd love to have a motor launch.
dammit. And most of them seem to hate it. There is the problem in a nutshell.
I've always wanted a boat. I wonder if I ever will.
Boat owners still manage to pursue their hobby, no matter how bad the economic outlook.
I've got a 26' Searay sport-fisher with twin 150 Optimax Mercs. Very good gas mileage. For sixty bucks in gas I can cover a respectable amount of Puget Sound for a day of fishing.
Private marina slips are pricey, but nicer than municipal. I need a 30' slip because the boat takes up a bit more space with the motors up out of the water. Was paying 250.00 a month at the private marina, then I got a spot in the city marina for 100.00. Was on the waiting list for two years, and like the article says, I was told I would never get one by the harbor master.
Last summer when gas prices were at their highest, about $3.75, there was still a long lines at the fuel docks.
Remember I am refering to a segment of boaters with larger boats in marinas,and not all boaters.
In my first post I said: Owners of small boats with low horsepower and those who can trailer their boats are in better shape than the bigger boats in marina slips, that are at the mercy of the climbing marina slip fees, and the higher marina gas pump prices.
The immediate effect didn't take place last season I figure it will take place this season.
That is why I said in the original article: Last season was the economic handwriting on the wall, but most boaters toughed it out. The reality of economics will take its toll this season.
That's a very eloquent article. I've got sympathy for it, I grew up in a rural area myself. During my life, I've seen some lovely seaside and rural areas "developed," much of their timeless beauty is gone forever.
I confess nevertheless to having mixed feelings on the subject. I don't think the fisherman themselves are necessarily getting the short end of the stick, at least financially. Their home places have become worth millions in many cases. I don't know about Hatteras, but in Key West, many of the old "conch" families are finally cashing in, the money is just too irresistible. IMO, it's not up to the limousine liberals or other wealthy or more educated types drawn to Key West's character to tell 'em they can't sell out, because those fancy folk want a certain "atmosphere" for their vacation homes. Cashing in their property is these families' only shot at that kind of money.
My only suggestion is that the town fathers of places like Hatteras, Ocrakoke, the Keys, the Chesapeake, wherever, take matters into their own hands, try to look ahead, try to do what's right. Preserve the unique character of those places if they can, but try not to screw the current property owners, many of whom have been there many years, out of the small fortunes that are falling in their laps either.
What do you think?
It's a yacht.
You have a good eye for boats if you appreciate that one.
Those curves in her hull serve a functional purpose.
But those curved lines and surfaces are expensive to build,
That's why most mass produced boats have razor straight lines--cheaper to make, but they pass them off on the unwary as done because it's progress.
(Granted, flat surfaces make a boat easier to get on plane, but unless the water's always calm and your always in a hurry, planing is not so great).
A little history of the type: http://www.atlanticboat.com/history.php
Gotcha, more of a delayed reaction than an immediate effect. Then again, that 30' muni slip that was never supposed to open up, DID last year.
I have talked to several guys that are looking to down-grade to boats my size that are a little more trailer friendly. This would support your theory.
All I can say is, I'm very happy I did not go for the 40' Searay.
Your 26 footer is about the maximum size for trailering on a regular basis for pleasure boating. Bigger than that it gets to be to much of a hassle. - tom
A modern planing hull built in North Carolina, of cold molded plywood. I shudder at what it probably costs, though. But it's definitely cool.
I'm still waiting for them to come out with an affordable nuclear-powered boat.
Not to mention the size rig you need to haul it any distance. I bought an old full size Blazer just to haul it out a few times a year for maintenance, and it's only a few blocks on surface streets. I would not consider towing it any further without something much more substantial.
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