High gas prices have boaters changing their habits

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

Tools

Boaters on Simonton Lake are feeling the pain of high gas prices. At almost $4 a gallon, it can cost a boater $100 to fill up. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 22, 2008 at 4:52 PM EST

Story Updated: May 27, 2008 at 6:45 AM EST

ELKHART CO. — Gas prices are just a fraction away from that dreaded $4 mark. A gallon of unleaded is $3.99 at most places.

Multimedia

Watch The Video

With Memorial Day weekend around the corner, those prices are affecting more than drivers. Boaters are also feeling the pinch, especially when many boats cost more than $100 to fill up. That’s why some boaters on Simonton Lake say they’ll be changing their habits.

"I did have a pontoon and a speed boat, but this does it all,” Ernie Lehue told WSBT News.

Lehue just bought his new 22-foot fundeck boat, and he says there's no better time to test it out than during Memorial Day weekend.

"We've got the daughter and son coming up from Indianapolis with the grandkids and a daughter here in town coming over here for the weekend for boating,” he said.

Lehue has been boating for the past 12 years and filling up has never been an issue. Until now.

"It hurts,” he said.

As gas prices inch closer to the $4 mark, Lehue says his summertime hobby is now impacting his wallet.

"When you go to fill the boat up it's like $100,” he said. “The jet skis, not quite that much, but they use more gas. So it's going to be an expensive weekend for gas prices."

And places like WakeSide Marine have been hearing a lot about those high gas prices. Owner Chris Pobanz doesn't anticipate it will stop people from boating. Instead, he thinks they'll change how they boat.

"I think there's going to be a lot more social activity going on; rather than everybody having maybe their own boat out they might call a couple friends and go out wake boarding, or surfing, or skiing rather than going by themselves now,” he explained. “So kind of like the carpool per se.”

"It's a lot of fun — that's why they call it a fundeck!” Lehue said.

Which is why Lehue is waiting until the holiday is over to scale back.

"Yeah, we'll cut down some through the summer probably,” Lehue said. “Maybe if we have all the kids over we'll go out and do some boating, but just not run around and waste gas, probably not."

Boaters may be changing their habits, but starting Friday Lake Simonton is expected to be packed with boaters.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

Current Temp 45.5

More Weather

WSBT Weather

More Weather

On Demand

iPhone
Get the WSBT News and Irish Sports Report apps for your iPhone! Read more »
On DVD
Order a DVD of a WSBT news story! Read more »
Twitter
Follow us on Twitter! Read more »
Facebook
Connect with us on Facebook! Read more »
WSBT E-News
Daily StormTracker e-mails right to your Inbox! Read more »
Video On Demand
Miss a story on WSBT News? Watch it here! Read more »
CBS Shows
Watch CBS shows and news online, free! Read more »
WSBT Alert
Breaking News & Weather right to your cell phone! Read more »
Mobile
WSBT News on the go for your cell phone or PDA. Read more »
RSS Feeds
Get news and updates as soon as they're published. Read more »

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.