State of Boating

[eastont]

I was just reading the posts on 180shabah's post about a Sad, Sad Day and it brought me to wondering.......because of the economic down turn, what have you gone through and are you seeing a light at the end of the tunnel?

I'm hoping this doesn't get booted because it could appear to be political, it's not.
I'm just curious as to how bad the boating world might be.
Here in the 1000 Islands I've noticed fewer boats on the water this year, and talking to other boaters they say the same thing. One of the islands that is normally almost impossible to find docking on, has been less than half full lots of weekends.
Fuel, on the US side, is the cheapest in 3 years, so it can't be that.

 

[Beefer]

Re: State of Boating

From a boating standpoint, it does seem like there are fewer boats on the water this year then in years passed. In our area, seems like there has been a mass exodus, as there are tons of vacant homes.

From a financial standpoint, my financial situation has improved over the last 3 years, in a retail sector that has been on the decline for the last 3 years. I think it's just we (my wife and I) manage the store better then the previous owner, aren't afraid to try new things to increase sales, and we have been really focusing on the internet aspect of our business.

With any economy, some areas are down, and some are up. Just depends which side of the wave you're on.

 

[Aviator5]

Re: State of Boating

In our marina fuel is the same price as last year, not a single vacant slip,
and as many botes as usual on good weekend out on the lake.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: State of Boating

We got double-whammied this year; wife's hours cut at the UC system, and unpublicized CA state tax changes (even our HR dept didn't know about them) that put us from expecting a decent refund to, SURPRISE we owe a big, BIG chunk of cash.

Had to make some unpleasant decisions just to keep above water for this year. One of those was to seriously downsize the Summer vacation plans. Another was to cancel the annual family see-my-parents-in-Vegas trip. Another was to let the truck and boat insurance lapse for a year. So no boating for me until at least next March/April. OK though, it's giving me plenty of time to address all the issues on the rig that I've been neglecting for the past 7 years or so

 

[avenger79]

Re: State of Boating

lots of work for us so far

but the better half's cleaning business is all but out. she now works at night to subsidize the extra money lost (cleaning a hosp)

lakes seem pretty full still but I would say they are down a little on traffic.

 

[Micahhaase]

Re: State of Boating

Around here I think for the most part there are MORE boaters at the nearby lakes....The ones closest to the city..and the Nicer lakes a bit farther out are less than usual... Seems ppl cant afford the long day or 2 day trips anymore and are sticking close to home even though the lake isnt as nice as others...Luckily my job has been steady even got a 11 percent raise this year...knock on wood

 

[pduquette]

Re: State of Boating

Most of my friends (yes , I have friends) have given up on their "project boats" and got canoes / kyacks. water levels have been low arround me so the lakes arround here are more suited to them . I keep my fingers crossed , and thank the lord my jobs been buisy w/ot . And yes I take care of the friends who have helped me in the past !! peter

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: State of Boating

Living close to the heart of the Canadian auto industry there have been a lot less boats out there last season and this season. Those with the bigger boats seem to be using them as floating cottages as they are not using gas to go anywhere.

 

[badkins50]

Re: State of Boating

We went to the boat show this past spring in cleveland, ohio just to get out and walk around and dream about the day we could afford one. We could not beleive how many new and very expensive (to my life style) boats that had sold signs on them. I can understand 30K or 40K (still out of my range), but I'm talking 100K and up. All we kept saying was I think we are in the worng careers or something.

Anyway as far as the Lake Erie goes around lorain ohio, there are still alot of boaters out there and we have lost ford and basically the steel mill not to mention all the "mom and pops" that made money from them as well. Good luck and hopefully things turn around soon. Just remember it could be alot worse.

 

[robcarync]

Re: State of Boating

I graduated with my BS in mechanical engineering in may and had been interviewing and looking for jobs since last October and I will say it has been a frustrating job search. I never found a real job but I managed to get funding for graduate school as a research assistant at the university.

Over the summer, since I had no job, I lived at my parents beach house and worked at the local grocery store bagging groceries. Worst. Job. Ever. Lol but at least I purchased a jet ski with the extra cash.

 

[makinc80]

Re: State of Boating

it definetly seems that there are less boats on the water on any given day in barnegat bay in nj! i dock in a small home association marina and we have a few open slips this year where as in years past there was a waiting list to get one. gas ranges anywhere from $3-3.25 or so for regular at the docks and it seems the marinas in the area are building up a surplus of used boats. it is sad less people are enjoying the water!

 

[98Shabah]

Re: State of Boating

It seems like when I was a kid (in the late 70's/early 80's) far more people had boats.. ?? Am I insane? Out of the 100 homes in my neighborhood, only 3 (including mine) have boats sitting around.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: State of Boating

I have not even had the cover off my boat this summer. Of course, the fact that we haven't had much of a summer is the biggest reason. It was in the 90's the last two days and today it will be in the 60's. So it has gone all season! Grrrrr!