GL: Fuel Survey Results

[fred]

Dear  Cruisers ,

Last week, I had asked how/if the jump in fuel prices
would affect your personal cruising plans.  I have received about 200 replies
from boaters so far, and many have asked me to publish the results.

All
cruisers are feeling the pain at the pump, and most are looking for ways to
save money to make up for the fuel price.  A large fraction of trawler owners
are retired and on a limited income, and social security goes only so far, as
I was reminded in many of the replies.  

Here are my results:

1)  About
5% of the cruisers say they have put their boats up for sale or will do so
soon.  A lot more would do so if they thought they could get a decent price.
2)  Another 20% will greatly reduce their cruising, perhaps staying in their
home waters and cancelling the long trip they had planned for this summer.
Some of this group will be staying mostly at their home port and taking only a
few day-trips on weekends.

3)  About 25% will be watching their money by
various means such as anchoring out more often, looking for cheaper fuel
stops, and slowing their cruising speed.  Quite a few cruisers said they would
not go to Canada this summer because the USA Dollar doesn't buy much up there
anymore.  Some suggested the NY Canals, where most town piers are cheap or
free.

4)  The other 50% were mostly die-hards who will be out on the water
doing what they love, until they go broke.  Count me in this group.  Some of
this group stated that boats and marinas are extremely expensive and that fuel
price is not that big a factor in the overall picture.

5)  I talked to a
few French Canadians outside of this survey, and they are looking forward to
enjoying our cheap American Dollar this summer.  My home waters, the Champlain
Canal, is the main route they use to go south.  There will likely be an
increase in French Canadian boats this summer, though their total numbers are
small.

My own boating plans this year will be cut sharply not by fuel
costs, but because I am moving, and moving my business with me.  I'll need to
train new employees at the new location so there won't be any vacation for me
this summer.  I'll only be able to take weekend trips to see my friends at
Waterford, so I'll likely be limited to the Champlain Canal between Fort
Edward and Waterford.  That'll save me a lot of fuel money, but cost me a lot
for red wine instead.  It may become necessary to raid more of the french
boats as they always have a few cases in their lockers somewhere.

And there
ya have it.  It's going to be a lot quieter this summer than it was last year.
Fred
Tug 44