Will $5/gallon gas change the next boat you buy?

[IMP-ish]

Has anyone here actually changed boats this year because of the prices at the pump?

Will $5/gallon gas lead you to change boats next year?

[hoytedow]

Thinking of a sail.

[IMP-ish]

I said I'd start sailing when gas hit $3.00 a gallon. But I haven't yet.

[rasorinc]

I'm an older man and I want to motor up rivers and inlets not work all day trying to sail up them. Looking at small diesel engines 100 to 150 hp. and would love to lay my hands on a Subaru 4 cyl. boxer diesel. Next, my choice would be Hi Thrust outboards in the 30 hp to 50hp range. I no longer feel the need for high speed but don't just want to putsch around at 6 to 8 knots either.

[Mr Efficiency]

Fuel going to $5 a gallon is old hat in most countries, around that mark now in Australia, the advent of four-stroke and direct injection outboards has taken a lot of the sting out of it for recreational trailer-boaters.

[Frosty]

I hold 1.5 tons and I can use 1 ton in a day. If I could'nt afford It I would'nt have it.

I have asked large Brokers if the price of my boat is falling due to fuel prices, they say no.

[masalai]

hehehe I am 2 miles a litre at 5+ knots on my 40' x 21' boat, A 45 US gallon drum gets me about 400 miles if I am diligent and leave the throttles alone... at one engine resting (off) and the other at less than 3000rpm...

[Frosty]

if I trolled on one engine at 750 RPM 171 liters would be 350 miles possibly more meaning power is directly relative to HP used.

I cant do 5 Knots-slowest is 6.

[whitepointer23]

if you are going to cruise at 5 knots sails would be a more pleasant and efficent option.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by whitepointer23

if you are going to cruise at 5 knots sails would be a more pleasant and efficent option.

If you got some wind in the right direction yes

[whitepointer23]

sailing has come a long way from the square riggers in your day frosty. they can even point nearly into the wind now. i guess rivers and small waterways are engine only though.

[whitepointer23]

or how about a motor sailer then you have the best of both worlds.

[Frosty]

No thanks I like to be moored up by 5pm, wash the salt off the boat, hot shower and Jeeves will have the tea and cakes on the aft deck at 6pm prompt.. When I say Jeeves I mean the missus, and when I say tea I mean beer.

Had em all !!!

I can afford a bit of squirt. But--I don't go out much .

[whitepointer23]

Originally Posted by Frosty

No thanks I like to be moored up by 5pm, wash the salt off the boat, hot shower and Jeeves will have the tea and cakes on the aft deck at 6pm prompt.. When I say Jeeves I mean the missus, and when I say tea I mean beer.

Had em all !!!

I can afford a bit of squirt. But--I don't go out much .

i know what you mean but i think sails will gain a lot in popularity on longer passages anyway.

[Frosty]

Oh yes sails are very popular, but not round here much and that's where I live.. Not much wind you see, I had a 63 foot sloop and the sails hung off the mast like sheets of steel as dinghys wizzed around me.