Boating & Fishing

High Fuel Is Rippling Through The Boating Industry

High Oil Prices Are Exacerbating An Already Difficult Situation

MIAMI (CBS4) ― In a world where a fill-up can cost hundreds of dollars, fuel that runs well over $4 isn't helping the South Florida boating industry. The season is just beginning and many boat owners are looking at not spending as much time on the water as last year.

When Jeffrey Whitman bought his boat a few weeks ago, he didn't give much thought to gas prices until he went to fill up.

"When it's 80 gallons to fill up, it's somebody's paycheck," said Jeffrey Whitman to CBS4 Reporter David Sutta. 

Now, his boating mindset has changed a bit.

"When I first got the boat, it was straight out in the ocean. I never thought about it. You balance your checkbook at the end of the month, and you say, wow, let me just enjoy the family in the bay," Whitman would add.

His experience of staying close to shore or off the water is being seen across South Florida. 

Miami-Dade bridge tenders have seen a 19 percent decrease in the number of times they raise bridges.

The boating industry is seeing a decline, too.

Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove is selling a thousand gallons less a month right now.  The wealthy are still cruising, but middle class customers...

"They are slowing down when using their boats," said Tony Jankawski of Dinner Key. "We have a lot of our customers here that use their boats every weekend. Now, you are starting to see them once or twice a month."

While South Florida drivers are struggling to pay a minimum $4.00 a gallon, gasoline at marinas could reach $4.90 by the end of June.

Capt. Stan Saffan, who runs a charter boat business, explains that less people are fishing, and he feels he's being hit twice as hard as the marinas. 

"The entire industry has definitely slowed down a lot," he said. "The price of fuel has gone up tremendously. Less than two years ago, we were at $1.30 a gallon. Today, we're at $5." 

That means $3,000 a week just in fuel; some captains have raised prices or simply decided to stay docked.

There is a surreal element in all of this. Most people would be quite upset paying $100 to fill up a car.  When someone fills a boat up, it's close to $1000.  

The people we spoke with said it may be a great time to get a good deal on a powerboat.

 

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