Bayliner Boats - Fuel costs in West Michigan

Boating Affiliate Links
Sponsored by Seized Boat Auctions

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here again bringing you Bayliner Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. It appears with marina fuel prices up, many area boaters say their vessels may do more floating than boating this season.

Charter Boat Captains

Charter boat captains are leaning toward lake perch instead of speeding to the hot-spot fishing holes. Marina owners are suffering from vacant slips and a slow-down in new boat sales.

Spring Lake Township residents Mel and Dorothy Miller are easing into retirement. Their long-term dreams included extended boat trips on their 32-foot Bayliner Motoryacht. They took a three-week cruise to Frankfort last year when diesel gas was $2.89 a gallon. That trip cost them $650 in fuel.

"Gas prices were higher than we would have liked then, but we just lolligagged along and had a wonderful time not worrying about the gas prices," Dorothy said. "This year, our dream was really kind of squelched. We had that wonderful outing last summer and it can't happen this year because of fuel prices."

Diesel gas at area marinas averaged $5 per gallon in recent days. The Millers' boat, Miller Mates, holds 200 gallons. "That's $1,000 just to gas up," Dorothy said. "It certainly is digging into our budget. It's not only gas prices but it's paying for a slip, maintenance on the boat and paying for many other things. It's basically become a second home on the water that may or may not move much this summer."

Rising Fuel Costs escalates food prices as well

Dorothy said it's not only fuel prices that frustrate her, but the rising cost of food that hits main street consumers. "It's affecting everyone's lives in such a dire way," she said. "It's affecting grocery prices and people's ability to afford to get to work. I think it's just a sin what's going on here.

Whitney Boat Charters - Grand Isle Marina

Matt Whitney, a 35-year veteran fisherman who owns Grand Isle Marina-based Whitney Charters, said business is down — mostly due to high fuel costs. "We definitely feel it," said Whitney, who averages a $160 to $165 fuel expenditure for a six-hour charter fishing outing. "It's having a huge impact on us cost-wise. We can't run as far anymore — not and stay in business anyway."

In prior years, a typical trip out to where the fish were biting took about 20 minutes to half an hour. Whitney said he can't afford to run his 34-foot vessel at such fast speeds anymore. Getting to the typical fishing spots can now take an hour and a half.

Less Fisherman on the lake

"The other thing we're noticing is a lot less recreational fishermen on the lake," he said. "It's not uncommon this year to only see one or two other boats. There used to be a lot more eyes looking for the fish. It's definitely presenting some challenges."
Whitney said he was forced to hike his $420 fishing trip price last year to $450 this season.

"And that doesn't even touch fuel costs," the charter boat captain said. "Business is down, phone calls are down, and fuel and the economy are a huge part of that. It's hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel at this point." Boats are unlike automobiles. If a car gets 30 miles per gallon on the highway, it's much less influenced by weather conditions or how many passengers are onboard.

Boat Vessel Efficiency

Boats deal with wind and wave conditions. Vessel efficiency is gauged on gallons burned per hour. There's much more friction and resistance pushing a hull through water than there is rolling properly inflated tires down smooth asphalt. Gallons per hour are much more difficult to define. Each trip is different.

Lou Draeger of Spring Lake pilots a 37-foot Sea Ray through Tri-Cities waters. Draeger said he and his wife, Gloria, are planning a trip this summer from their Grand Isle slip to South Haven, and then across the lake to Chicago. Draeger said he's picked up fuel-saving tips from boating magazines.

"The thing we started to do a couple of years ago that we still do is only fill the boat with the fuel we need for that day," said Draeger, whose vessel holds 450 gallons. "And the boating magazines say to take everything off the boat that you don't need. It's amazing how much stuff you can accumulate onboard that you really don't use."

Wharf Marina

Wharf Marina General Manager C.J. Fischer said he's seen no decline in boaters at the pump, but he has witnessed a stronger preference in used boat sales over new boats.
"Used boats are really a hot item right now," Fischer said. Fischer said his marina is selling a lot of fuel.

"People around here love the water and have a huge passion for boating," he said. "We're surrounded by water and people have a huge passion for it. They know by owning a boat they're going to have to spend the money on the gas. They just do it. To them, spending six to seven hours on the water floating or boating is worth it."

Dave Richards, a Rockford resident who has moored his 25-foot Bayliner in the Tri-Cities for more than a decade, purchased a larger boat several weeks ago in Port Clinton, Ohio. He had hoped to motor the 1985 32-foot Bayliner around Michigan's Thumb, with a moorage stop at Mackinac Island and other ports before christening the boat in Grand Haven with his nine grandchildren.

Diesel fuel cost and lack of spare parts

Diesel fuel cost and lack of spare parts halted his lifelong dream to travel around the Lower Peninsula — he said he couldn't afford both. "The $5.25 per gallon at marinas on the lake changed our plans for the whole trip," said Richards, who moors at Rycenga Marina. "It's the talk at all the marinas. People are more or less just hanging out at the docks.

"There are many restaurants that depend on seasonal boaters — not just here but in Pentwater, Saugatuck, South Haven and other ports," he added. "They won't realize that extra business this year."

Vacant Boat Slips - more than ever before

Richards said he's noticed more vacant slips than ever before. "And there are still boats up on blocks that haven't been moved because people are trying to sell or can't afford to do anything with them," he said. "We used to take a boat trip every other week, but we won't be doing that this year." Thanks to MARIE HAVENGA,
mhavenga@grandhaventribune.com for this.

Find out more information on Bayliner boat canvas, Do-it-Yourself bayliner cover kits and subscribe to our FREE newsletter.

Be sure to check out this weeks latest Bayliner Boat Videos Here:

Please visit our sponsors, they help make this possible, Thanks.
Boating Affiliate Links
Sponsored by Seized Boat Auctions

Rick Ostler, North American Waterway