Rising Gas Prices Leaves Some Boats Docked

[james_t]

AP has a story/video today about how high fuel prices are curtailing some boating activities. Back around Memorial Day the local marinas were saying they hadn't noticed much effect; is that still holding true for what you're seeing around area lakes?

AP video:
http://video.ap.org/vws/search/aspx/...prices&f=INKEN

Herald-Republican story:
http://www.fwdailynews.com/articles/...9899241282.txt

[james_t]

The rich will not curtail their boating by much, it will only affect the shrinking middle class and the growing poor.

I wouldn't think that many poor people would own a boat. Which economic class do most boat owners fall into around here?

The AP video mentions a dropoff in folks paying $800 to charter a fishing boat. I would think that if you've got $800 to spend on an afternoon fishing trip - not to mention getting down to Florida in the first place - you'd have to be pretty well off.

[RaceFan]

I thought this cartoon was pretty straight forward:


"OPEC is selling oil for over $135.00 a barrel.

OPEC nations buy U.S. grain at $7.00 a bushel.

Solution: Sell grain for $135.00 a bushel.

Can't buy it...Tough...Eat your **** oil."

[james_t]

"OPEC is selling oil for over $135.00 a barrel.

OPEC nations buy U.S. grain at $7.00 a bushel.

Solution: Sell grain for $135.00 a bushel.

Can't buy it...Tough...Eat your **** oil."

Actually, with the push to more ethanol fuels, we might wind up running our cars on grain, instead.

[james_t]

Yeah, then we will have to pay $135.00 a bushel for corn.

But so will the folks we sell it to - the ones who sell us oil - and at least we can grow more of it. Although hopefully there will be other energy alternatives in the mix before that happens.

[james_t]

My point is corn based fuel is a bad Idea. If you think high gas prices are bad, wait until we can't feed ourselves. And as far as growing more, a lot of land is being grabbed by the rich to build country homes and hobby farms. Where are you going to grow all this grain?

You don't need as much land as you used to - technology has done a lot to increase crop yields. Besides, remember all those years when farmers were being paid by the government not to grow stuff and keep the prices high?

Corn-based fuel may not be the best thing out there, but it's still better than oil - not only iis it renewable, it burns cleaner - and it's something that we can do right now to serve as a stepping stone until something better is developed.

[dg46755]

My point is corn based fuel is a bad Idea. If you think high gas prices are bad, wait until we can't feed ourselves. And as far as growing more, a lot of land is being grabbed by the rich to build country homes and hobby farms. Where are you going to grow all this grain?

There are other agricultural products that can be used. It is my understanding sea weed and the best is supposed to be sugar cane. Look up Brazil and there becoming increasingly independent from the oil companies by using sugarcane. Just using corn is a bad idea especially when there could be other plants used so not just one item will become too much in demand.

[dg46755]

Sorry about the size of the font. At least you don't need your glasses to read it.

[james_t]

Look up Brazil and there becoming increasingly independent from the oil companies by using sugarcane. Just using corn is a bad idea especially when there could be other plants used so not just one item will become too much in demand.

I don't have a problem with that. Corn is what I'm most familiar with - I don't think you can grow much sugar cane in the Midwest - but whatever we can grow and make into fuel, go for it.

[evilkumquat]

but whatever we can grow and make into fuel, go for it.

The Irish have that same philosophy...

But not about "fuel".

[RaceFan]

Is it true that the E-85 Fuel doesn't give good fuel milage? If that's true are we really any farther ahead?
Is it time for towns to become golf cart communities to save fuel as long as they stay off the State hwy's?
Here's my golf cart,actually it's a John Deere Gator 4x2(Glorified golf cart). I use it at Angola Motor Speedway and when we go camping:

[LuciusBeebe]

The poor only have smoking, drinking, and fishing as recreation. I know this is a generalization, but it seems to hold true.

Blue.... wow, man. Wow.

Just... I dunno, man. Get out of your house some more.

[james_t]

So you rich people keep buying up land and eventually we will see who is correct.

You obviously haven't seen the balance in my checking account. I'm rich in the love of my family, but as far as buying up land - sorry, no land barons here. (What exactly would I do with it, anyway? I have enough trouble keeping my lawn mowed as it is.)

Is it true that the E-85 Fuel doesn't give good fuel milage? If that's true are we really any farther ahead?

The stuff I've read says that on average E-85 gets about 6 percent less mileage than regular unleaded. When I fill up with E-85 around here it's usually about 50 cents a gallon cheaper - which is about 10-12 percent - so I figure at this point I'm better off with it. Plus I like the idea that it burns cleaner and helps cut down on oil imports.

[evilkumquat]

My father has installed some weird new device to his car's engine, something about water-for-gas or something, and claims his mileage went from 30 to 45mpg (he experimented driving to and from Fort Wayne).

Whenever anyone starts talking about cars, all I hear is that wah-wah-wah noise Charlie Brown's teachers always made, so I have no real idea what he did.

But by god if you have a computer problem, I'm your nerd!

[matt_s]

Plus I like the idea that it burns cleaner

Well, not exactly... ok maybe yes and at the same time, no...

EPA's stringent Tier II vehicle emission standards require that FFVs achieve the same low emissions level regardless of whether E85 or gasoline is used. However, E85 can further reduce emissions of certain pollutants as compared to conventional gasoline or lower volume ethanol blends. For example, E85 is less volatile than gasoline or low volume ethanol blends, which results in fewer evaporative emissions. Using E85 also reduces carbon monoxide emissions and provides significant reductions in emissions of many harmful toxics, including benzene, a known human carcinogen. However, E85 also increases emissions of acetaldehyde--a toxic pollutant. EPA is conducting additional analysis to expand our understanding of the emissions impacts of E85.
Source: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/growandg...tsheet-e85.htm

I think I saw a report that listed more specific increased emissions once, but I can't seem to find it again, so maybe somebody disproved and it was yanked. One can hope.

[Copycatted]

I wouldn't think that many poor people would own a boat. Which economic class do most boat owners fall into around here?

The AP video mentions a dropoff in folks paying $800 to charter a fishing boat. I would think that if you've got $800 to spend on an afternoon fishing trip - not to mention getting down to Florida in the first place - you'd have to be pretty well off.

Being poor and not able to either afford a fishing boat or pay the services for one James to me is but that part of the so called iceburg below water level. Have you ever gone to the Indiana DNR site or got one of their fishing/hunting rule magazines and referenced out the shoreline fishing index? Though if not but you'd reference them out JUST for this corner of the State,a fair warning. It's NOT good! In fact,President Bushes popularity rating is better

Last year at Pigeon Lake boat ramp I took an picture of one shot that VISIBLE (I have just an 110 though it's QUITE unique,with zoom and stuff...) were four fishing lines/baits/lures and bobbers,and all looking as if they had just come off the store shelf but hanging in just ONE TREE ALONE on the OTHER bank of that boat ramp area.

Begining to git the so called bigger picture to the tip of the iceburg for we poor folks? If you're poor and love to fish and as example native of Steuben County (or not) you might just git a lump in your throat if Family or Friends want to come and visit and ask should they bring their fishing poles when your reply would be heck yes,bring 'em,Steuben Counties advertised as having a hundred and one lakes.

YEAH,right. Unless you own a bit of any of that shoreline or got Family or Freinds that do,DON'T expect no welcome mat on anothers property. So then it's back to boat ramps or the few other limited places listed with the DNR. But it's the same for "swin'n holes" and so then MANY poor folks turn to OTHER recreational matters...THAT ARE JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THE LAW CAN ALLOW (as the theme song to The Dukes Of Hazard goes)...oops,sorry James. I guess the latter? should of went on the recent drug bust thread. And a thousand apologies,let me know if you want 'em all or if I git the 999 on credit with yeah

[hairypumper]

[QUOTE=james_t;13584]AP has a story/video today about how high fuel prices are curtailing some boating activities. Back around Memorial Day the local marinas were saying they hadn't noticed much effect; is that still holding true for what you're seeing around area lakes?

It seems to me there is less activity during the week, but the weather could have something to do with it.(A little cool.) I've talked to a number of people who have given up other hobbies to afford fishing or boating.

[Copycatted]

I don't know about $800.00 dollar fishing trips, but quite a few factory workers around here have saved for years to get a bass boat for fishing. The lake where my mother lives has not seen a big drop in summer people, or speed boats. I guess it depends on what type of boat you are talking about. The poor only have smoking, drinking, and fishing as recreation. I know this is a generalization, but it seems to hold true. Politicians are already at work to take away smokes, I believe if they push to hard, a second revolution won't be long in coming.

Didn't even git past the title of accompanying click-on blue adept until I knew I wanted to put it at the place where this thread,as others,took a primary turn to gas and gas nags from your boat/plus quote (of which one COOL quote,word for word by the way...and glad if such an revolution is had it won't be y[ours] to be conducting for no? better word and as for the turn,government ought to just put an gag order on that gas stuff till they git it figured out is my opinion,) but anyway wanted to give my so called 2 cents from history and about boats and flooding.

It appears without an E.D.C. agenda the dam controversy of Hamilton Lake is an dead issue,this after even the DNR realized work done above the lake SINCE THE GREAT LAST 100 YEAR '96 FLOOD has proven it worked (that includes all the lake acerage [for water retention as was done above Hamilton Lakes watershed] at the old Flegal Gravil Pit that added how many more miles to Hamilton Lakes shorline?) Or in other words the scene behind the scene the Town of Hamilton should no longer be held responsable by those downstream of not retaining all the water they can from such torential(sp) rains.

Proof of this given any minor whines as this person sees it was proven when our DNR as well the neighboring tri-State DNR's shut down such resort lakes to motorized boat traffic during the Labor Day? holidays of 2007.

But those Residents of Hamilton Lake whether summer folks or natives were just as much able to make all the waves as usual during that time of the year as any years past;credit going to the planning of such Architects for moving all that dirt since 1996...well,one "forever" lake above Hamilton's may have took an Architectual hit (maybe an underground spring or above ground waterway got re-routted with all the dirt moving that TO ME seems to have created an unsually low water level to that "been there forever" lake as compared to years past. But then again being none of my business I don't go back there or even to Hamilton that often enough to be taking a dip stick with me for records keep'n.)

Okay on all that,I guess?
----------
Man to blame for Iowa flooding? - Washington Post - MSNBC.com
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25254541/
Updated: 06/19/2008 11:35:00