The High Price of Fun
June 9th, 2008This past weekend gas hit $1.46 a litre in Vancouver. We’re bracing ourselves for a $1.50 a litre, which the experts are predicting will happen this summer. With gas now over $6.00 a gallon, I’m curious to know if this will affect how you “play” at the cabin.
We sold our old two stroke engine for a more gas efficient inboard model. While Bill likes to throttle our new 17′ SeaRay wide open, my eye is on the gas gage. I’m not sure if we will take the kids for as long a tube ride or as many this summer given the high price of petro.
I know boats are expensive toys to own and operate, but I’m wondering if other’s are thinking the same thing.
Like cars, boats burn fuel more efficiently when they are properly serviced and maintained. Cottage Life has a great article on spring maintenance for outboards.
One thing is certain, the faster we go, the more fuel we’re going to burn, especially since our new boat is heavier than our old one.
I’m thinking we’ll still make good use of our new boat, but I’m betting we’ll be going a little slower and maybe not quite as often. I’m also thinking my kayak is going to be getting a lot more use.
Leave me a comment and let me know if the high price of gas is going to change the way you play at the cabin.
Cheers,
Julie
P.S. If gas seems expensive here, folks in England are paying over $9 a gallon. Ouch!
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June 11th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
My experience is that when ever gas prices go up, like they do every time this time of year, there is always a knee jerk reaction to the price of fuel. After awhile people forget about it and go back to life as normal. There’s still lots of disposable income out there.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
It’s interesting to note that Hummer sales are down 47%. There are wait lists for the Toyota Hybrid Hylander and bike sales are going through the roof - at least here in Vancouver. I actually think people are starting to feel the high gas prices.
Cheers,
Jules
June 27th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Hey, it’s Lindsay from DiscoverBoating.ca. Working for Discover Boating, you can imagine that with the gas prices on the rise, I’ve heard from many boaters who are concerned with costs this summer. There are some simple ways to keep fuel-efficient on the water: reduce your speed while on plane, turn off the engine whenever you’re not moving and make sure the craft has the right propeller and the right engine based on the manufacturer’s specifications. We have lots of helpful tips like these for boaters and those new to the sport on the site.
Some food for thought: the average boater uses around the same amount of gasoline for an entire summer that it would take to fill an SUV three times.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Thanks Linsay,
Those are great tips and worthy of a separate blog. I will def. check out your site. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Julie