Outdoor Life

By Brad

July 8, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Well, I don’t gripe about the gas prices because there’s not a whole lot I can do about it besides staying home. No more than I travel, it doesn’t make a huge dent in my budget anyway. With that being said, my old bass boat with a 150hp outboard was sold years ago because the gas it drank had a higher value than my enjoyment from the fishing trip. Now I have an old 16’ deep V aluminum boat with a 35hp Johnson that I can fish anywhere and burn less than ten gallons per weekend. With that consumption, four dollars per gallon isn’t too bad. It also costs less on the road due to its light weight. If the boat sits for awhile without going fishing, I don’t feel guilty because I don’t have much in it.

By **Scott Bernarde**

July 8, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Brad, if you get a moment, I’d like to speak to you about your change in boats for a future story on gas prices and boating… sb

By Jim H.

July 8, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

I live waterfront on Lake Oconee and I have observed that boat traffic of all types is much lighter this summer (with the exception of holiday weekends like Memorial day and this past weekend). I’m sure fuel prices are the reason. To tow a bass boat (or ski boat)down from the Atlanta area to Oconee and run it all day…you are talking a couple hundred bucks at least. That’s gotta be having an impact.

My 20’ Stratos with 225 hp outboard is still being used — but it ain’t being run as much as in the past….spending more time running the trolling motor and less running the outboard nowdays. I’m pretty hard core, though…..been an avid boater and fisherman all my life. It will have to get much worse before I give up owning a nice boat and using it.

It sure would be nice if the Democrats would let us drill for our own oil! I think its about to hit the fan and that in fact will happen soon. Public opinion is rapidly swinging in the direction of drilling. We don’t even have to get the stuff out of the ground for it to make an impact. Just the announcement that it will happen would send the price of crude oil plummeting.

And no, I am not against developing alternative energy sources to replace oil. I am all for it as a matter of fact. But this economy runs on OIL and will for the forseable future. If we have these extremely high fuel prices for the 20+ years (at least) that its going to take to start substancially moving to other energy sources, none of this is going to matter anyway — because our economy will be trashed.

DRILL HERE. DRILL NOW. PAY LESS!

By AndyV

July 8, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Odd to see a sportsman pushing so hard to drill oil. I guess as long as it’s in Alaska and not Oconee! But as I’ve told many people gas will be $1 a gallon in 10 years. The reason is cars won’t run on gas which will lessen demand, etc. Toyata comes out with a true electric car in two years and the other manufacturers shortly thereafter. A good % of new purchasers after that will be electric. In 10 years it’s a done deal. BTW I gave up my hunting club membership because of the gas expense of getting there and back. It was 240 miles round trip or 12 gallons or $50 a shot and I always went there and back the same day. Add wear and tear on the car for another $50 plus amortize the membership cost and it was about $175 a day to hunt. Too rich for my blood.

By Windknot

July 8, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

I have no boat, but gas prices cause me to at least stop and think before setting out on a trip to a stream (cold- or warm-water.) I wouldn’t be likely to go twice in one weekend, but once is quite doable.

By Brad

July 9, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

Anytime, Scott. southscape@hotmail.com - I am a huge fan of the old Starcrafts and other v-hull aluminums. You just can’t beat ‘em for the type of water I fish (rivers, electric only mtn lakes, reservoirs, saltwater bays). You can paddle, electric troll, or zoom with a 20-40hp tiller outboard. About the only time I still like a big glass boat with a large outboard is heading a few miles offshore. Not much choice there.

Another alternative I tried this summer was kayaking the barrier islands of Georgia. I didn’t do it because of high gas prices (cost me a good bit just to drive down there), but the simplicity of the little plastic boat has its merits, and you still get the pleasure of being on the water.

By Bulldawg

July 9, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this

I’m a full-time taxidermist that’s been in business for 18 years. The statistics you cite are definitely playing out in my studio. In a normal year, I’d have taken dozens of bass by now. This year I’ve taken only 8. I’ve also talked to many hunters (as a previous blogger noted) that have not or will not renew their hunting lease memberships due to gas prices. Everything is way down in terms of numbers and has been since gas prices began to surge last year. Most people have really tightened up with their spending.

By Jim W Harrison

August 7, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

In 2006, I added twin 36 volt MinKotas mounted upside down on the 150 hp. two strokes on each of mymbass boats at Hartwell. One pair is designed for saltwater and one pair is better suited for fresh water. In addition to the bow mounted 24 volt trolling motors on each boat, a charging system for both 24 volt and 36 volt can be charged after each day’s use. If a boat is large enough to carry 6 deep cycle batteries, including the cranking battery, the fuel saved can offset the high price at the marina pump.