GL: Fuel costs affecting boating

[bill fiero]

     We have long believed that simplicity is the key to successful cruising.
Unlike most in our society, who believe 'bigger is better,' and that the
purchase of a bigger boat is a step up, we have espoused the idea that a
cruiser should be on the smallest boat on which one can feel comfortable.  We
don't cruise to impress others with our wealth --we cruise for the joy of
traveling together, sharing sunsets in a charming anchorage, enjoying
friendships rafted with good friends, and for the joy and peace one feels
nestled close to the natural world.  Consequently, our tens of thousands of
cruising miles on all three North American coasts and most of her rivers have
been in small trailerable boats -- sailing in a 20-foot Flicka or motoring in
a 'pocket cruiser, our current boat, a 22-foot C-Dory.  These boats were
simple to operate, easy to anchor and dock, required little maintenance, and
(also) offered inexpensive cruising.  Our purpose was not to save money -- the
lower operating costs were simply a by-product of a simple lifestyle.  We
learned in childhood to separate our needs from our wants.  In a cruising
live-aboard lifestyle, there are basic needs for comfort and safety that can,
for us, be easily achieved with a simple lifestyle.
     This brings us to the subject of fuel costs.  Will rising costs affect
our cruising plans?  No, we agree with Phil.  The cost of fuel has never been
a particular concern for us -- on our sailboat, we sailed most of the Loop
(because we love sailing -- not to save money).  On our C-Dory, we have
fuel-efficient outboards.  Yes, our fuel costs will go up now, but our cruise
plans are more affected by our personal desires than expenses, since our boat
is economical to operate.  We love the cruising lifestyle and our simple needs
allow us to cruise regardless of fuel costs. We are as content with a
long-distance cruise or a short-distance more relaxing "enjoy the sunsets"
cruise -- the cost of fuel is not a factor, only what type of cruise we wish
to share.       We understand that fuel costs might be a significant factor
for those with large boats -- those boats that use more fuel warming up their
engines than we might use cruising for a day -- but we each make our choices
-- we have chosen the smaller boat for many reasons, and now with rising fuel
costs, our cruising plans will not be affected.
     For those not familiar with life aboard a 'pocket cruiser,' we invite you
to 'join us' by reading www.geocities.com/bill_fiero