I think gas prices is only part of it. Too much uncertainty in the economy with gas prices, real estate, the war and everything else. I think many people just dont have the money to drop 100k+ on a boat. Maybe theyre getting smarter and saving it...

 

i recently "went down" to a 24 checkmate outboard with a 225 opti . 65 mph w/o trying . fuel cost played a big part in my decision. i just came back fom topping it off and had to force $20.00 into it . i had set a price range of at least twice or more of what i paid for this thing and had considered everything from used 35 fountains to various center consoles with one or 2 motors. while i could have easily bought something that would turn heads at the docks and wherever , i eventually decided i wanted efficiency. spending $50.00 to run anywhere and everywhere on the lake for a couple days vs $200 - $300 may not be a factor for everyone but it has me back to running like the old days

 

Gas prices will certainly influence my decision on my next boat, or even if boating is in the cards..

 

i just sold my boat and am looking at a fountain single engine and not even shore if i want to boat any more been thinking about a classic car for a hobbie instead

 

I run twin small blocks [ 6.2's ] in my boat , and noticed that boat builders like Formula does the same setup in their base 29 footer . I'm sure we'll see fountain and others go this way in the future , up to 35 feet .

 

Considering the price of the boat and the insurance on a blown twin, I bet that for buyer who is on the egde of being able to afford it, gas played a major role in the decision. In reallity to run a twin blown, if gas is a majory factor in your decision you should not purchase the boat. You will not be able to afford the rebuild and maintenance if you can't afford the gas.

 

Cars

i just sold my boat and am looking at a fountain single engine and not even shore if i want to boat any more been thinking about a classic car for a hobbie instead

Thats what I am looking at Some Nice Summer Cars like a Used Viper or Z-06 for the summer.. Boats paid for but if the Offer is there Its gone...

 

I am ready to buy another Honda Aquatrax!

 

jet boat

 

Re: Cars

Thats what I am looking at Some Nice Summer Cars like a Used Viper or Z-06 for the summer.. Boats paid for but if the Offer is there Its gone...

if this fountain deal falls apart i'm going to sit back and sit on my money for awhile thats a good feeling

 

Gas prices and over all economy played a big part of my boating this past summer. It took a lot of the fun out of it when I was spending about $400 between the truck and boat every time I went out for a day. :unhappy1: If the financial situation is the same next summer the boat will sit again for all I care.

 

I run twin small blocks [ 6.2's ] in my boat , and noticed that boat builders like Formula does the same setup in their base 29 footer . I'm sure we'll see fountain and others go this way in the future , up to 35 feet .

I disagree.

Unless the 6.2 is charged, you won't see any 35 lightnings with them. Like other have said, if you can't afford the gas, you shouldn't be looking at thay type of boat anyway.

Maybe a twin 27 Fever ? that'd be a nice boat.

 

well i bought a harley cheaper to run that than all the costs of a boat

 

Considering the price of the boat and the insurance on a blown twin, I bet that for buyer who is on the egde of being able to afford it, gas played a major role in the decision. In reallity to run a twin blown, if gas is a majory factor in your decision you should not purchase the boat. You will not be able to afford the rebuild and maintenance if you can't afford the gas.

i think there's a difference between not being able to afford the gas and just saying no . keep your phuggin $4.00 a gallon gas. keep the maintence and down time. the high insurance etc. not everyone chooses to strap themselves into a boat or house or 3 lbs of gold chain around their neck. there's too many people upside down on everthing they "own". i am one that prefers cash to flash.

 

Except one thing...


You're not on the water.

I don't care how much cheaper cars are. I'd rather buy a blowboat than deal with road rage and speed limits when I'm trying to have fun.

 

I'm not sure if the small blocks will be returning, i don't think that the manufacturers should try to cut cost and make more "efficient" boats, thats what small runabouts and pontoons are for.

I have been looking at several 32 fountains and have been surprised to see some with 350's in them seems like way too much $$$ to not go that fast. Lots of people on this site including myself have boats that are relatively inexpensive and still run 70 to maybe 80 MPH. I just don't see spending 100k on a used 32 FEVER with small blocks to go the same speed as i'm going now or slower If i'm gunna go bigger, that means i'm going faster too, at least until i'm older and married

 

Gas prices wasn't up as high when I bought my boat but it still played a Major part in how I made my decision.

I was looking at a twin and decided to buy a single.

 

Bought a blown 382 Formula this August and hadn't sold my 312 Formula at the time. (It's sold now) Re-powering the 382 to N/A motors but plan on running the hell out of the thing next summer!!!!! I did have to go borrow a few bucks though, first time I've had boat payments in 9 years (that part sux!). At least everything else is paid for. (trucks, motors, etc.)

 

Bought a blown 382 Formula this August and hadn't sold my 312 Formula at the time. (It's sold now) Re-powering the 382 to N/A motors but plan on running the hell out of the thing next summer!!!!! I did have to go borrow a few bucks though, first time I've had boat payments in 9 years (that part sux!). At least everything else is paid for. (trucks, motors, etc.)

 

Except one thing...


You're not on the water.

I don't care how much cheaper cars are. I'd rather buy a blowboat than deal with road rage and speed limits when I'm trying to have fun.

I'll still be on the water with my Current Fountain and seadoos but rather then Stepping up to a larger boat I would like to pick up a nice summer Car that I can Drive From April to Nov on most dayz...

I have a lake house so regardless of what Fuel might be I will always have some sort of water toy..

 

yep, gas is a factor for me....Sad to say it but, I doubt I'll ever own a twin engine boat unless I'm living on it...

Normally we run 75+ miles on an average weekend, doubling the gas/maintenance cost (2 engines) would drastically change the way we use the boat

 

Even with gas prices as high as they were this year, I STILL say gas is the cheapest thing I ever put in a boat. Take for instance the new exhaust I bought for the Donzi. That $1500 buys a lot of gas. Put $5000 in it for a new tank, new rubrail and some glass repair. Just spent $4000 on an engine that I need to change the valve springs in and put back together. Add all that up, and I could have bought PLENTY of gas for my twin engine 302.

 

I'm sure I "saved" about 4-5 thousand by not having a boat this year and have to say I only missed it on a couple of weekends. One of those weekends was when we were bumming rides 2 weeks ago with Donman and crew. I really gave me the itch to get back in to it.

Now that it is getting a bit colder that itch has settled down a bit so who knows what route we will go come spring.

 

Personally I don't give a chit about the price of gas!!! if I like to do it I will do it without complaining about the price of fuel!!!!!!!! I am in the market for a twin engine gas hog but can't seem to sell my single engine fuel miser

 

Personally I don't give a chit about the price of gas!!! if I like to do it I will do it without complaining about the price of fuel!!!!!!!! I am in the market for a twin engine gas hog but can't seem to sell my single engine fuel miser

You have a buyer here, he just needs to sell his Sea Ray first!! He and his wife love your boat!!!!!!