Gas prices on water

[Enforcer 24]

Our fuel prices on the water up in CNY are expected to be around $3.19 a gallon for 86 octane!! On the road prices are around $1.95 for 89 octane. It's a good thing I trailer my 'Mate to and from but, I still need fuel on the water when playing at the other end of the lake. I (and we all who trailer) need to get back to our trailers. I think raising prices at gas pumps on the water is bull s#@t because the marina knows they "have you" and there is no where else to go. (Snowmobiling is the same way here also--10 gallons is easier than 60 gallons at one shot though)Most snowmobiling gas stations are in "the boon docks" so I can understand paying a bit more for 94 but a marina! Their gas trucks pull right up and top them off. There is no snow or seasonal roads to go through so what is the deal with jacked up prices? Gas is high enough and is only going to go higher. Anyway, what are the projected prices around your area for land and water?

 

[Enforcer 24]

Our fuel prices on the water up in CNY are expected to be around $3.19 a gallon for 86 octane!! On the road prices are around $1.95 for 89 octane. It's a good thing I trailer my 'Mate to and from but, I still need fuel on the water when playing at the other end of the lake. I (and we all who trailer) need to get back to our trailers. I think raising prices at gas pumps on the water is bull s#@t because the marina knows they "have you" and there is no where else to go. (Snowmobiling is the same way here also--10 gallons is easier than 60 gallons at one shot though)Most snowmobiling gas stations are in "the boon docks" so I can understand paying a bit more for 94 but a marina! Their gas trucks pull right up and top them off. There is no snow or seasonal roads to go through so what is the deal with jacked up prices? Gas is high enough and is only going to go higher. Anyway, what are the projected prices around your area for land and water?

 

[tcob]

my marina has been about .50 to .60 higher than the roadside gas stations . i buy 90% of my gas on the water because i dock my boat . now consider some things . most marinas probably pay more a gallon from their distributers because they use less . i think its called the economy of scale . the more of anything you sell or make , the cheaper it gets. the insurance and other overhead necessary to be in business is staggering . you gotta pay someone to work the pumps . not as much gas gets sold during the week or off season , but you still have your investment to recoup . and you should be entitled to a profit. i make a profit at what i do . thats what enables me to be a checkmate owner . not to get political , but i am more concerned at the governments role in keeping prices high .it doesn't cost us a dime when we stop and raft / party etc. GOT BEADS ?????

 

[conv240]

I agree with Bob. These business owners are providing a service and naturaly one will pay for a service . I am sure these marinas also have more red tape to go through then road side gas stations and the customer is going to help pay fpr that red tape . The owner has to make a living. That marina is his bread on the table . It could be worse . In Japan , I just aw on the news that thier price for a gallon of gas is over $5 gal . Another thing to think about . Concert tickets range from $40 - $100 per person for a two hour show and one does not get to meet the artist . They are on the bus to the next show befoure the fans leave , yet you hear no complaints . A lift ticket to ski is in the $50-$80 range for 8 hours of skiing per person and that is if you get to the mountain as soon as it opens . If you do not have skis or food , tack on another $20 - $70 , yet there are no complaints here . There is no difference between these two examples and a marina . They all prvide entertainment . Gas in our boats is an entertainment expence but yet I can put the boat in the water anytime I wannt and do not have to be off the water at a certain time because the lake is closing for the day . Plus , if I have five people in the boat and put $80 worth of gas in the boat it will not cost $400 , it will still be $80 . And if everybody chips in , one can cut that even further . Besides as I always tell people , "if you are going to worry about the price , you are not going to have any fun" . Be glad we are lucky enought o be out there on the water enjoying the time with are families and friends . Just think about the people on the beach wishing they were us .

 

[Eriktheviking]

This is true.I do know one thing that would help,the government could drop that .40-.50 cent a gallon tax!

 

[175checkmate]

It goes is a boat. There for it HAS to cost more.

 

[vinny p.]

I agree with Eric, there is no reason that we should be paying road tax on our boat fuel. I would not mind as much if I knew the money was going to improve the waterways.

 

[Enforcer 24]

Okay, I can agree with Bobs point of making a profit during the off season. But, all of the marinas I frequent also sell food, munchies, soda, cigarettes and beer also at a good profit. I know how much soda, beer and "gatorade" cost the owners and they are charging waterway robbery but, we all still buy it because we need it in the hot sun. It's a good thing I only work 10 min. away from my residence so I don't really go through too much gas in the truck but, I did not buy my "mate to sit at a pier, sandbar, partyspot, or hang out 10 min. away from the launch. I do stop and party and hang out but it's a good 45 min. away. I like to DRIVE my boat. It is all political because we are not tapping our resources here in the USA. Where we do get most of our oil, they are cutting back production which raises our pump price. We do not need to import all of our oil for fuel. (it doesn't come from Iraq either)All I can say is I am glad to have a small block and only one.

 

[Chris E]

Hey Guys:

I have worked at many marinas on the water. Heres the problem from the other side of the gas pump. Marinas (i'm talking Ontario here - but this applies to most seasonal areas) don't pump the volume of fuel that a regular gas station does. The statistic from the OMOA (Ontario Marina Operators Association)is that every marina in Ontario combined does not pump the volume that one busy gas station does in Toronto. When I set fuel prices, they were a minimum of $0.10 a litre higher than the price we paid for it. We paid about $0.02 - .05 a litre more than the road price. Road gas stations get their fuel dropped by the "B" train load, marinas by a single axle tanker (our fuel tanks are a lot smaller - about 10,000 - 15,000 litres per pump. Now, keep in mind the cost of replacing those tanks (whatever you think that costs - double or triple it), paying staff, insurance, evironmental fees, the cost to repair the holding tank that your new gas kid mistankenly thought was fuel (don't laugh - it happens) - it all adds up. Gas sales were not really profitable, but it brought the customers in, and they spent money on other things. And remember one other thing, you are paying for convienance. There is always the jerry can - thats what I do - I won't pay the premium - word of caution though, jerry cans with fuel in them attract water like crazy - don't leave fuel in them long.

 

[tcob]

nicely put chris ,i know in our area no one is getting rich off gas sales regardless what the price is . there is so much that john Q public does not see or take into consideration when it comes to a small business pumping gas on the water . my 283 has a 135 gallon tank and i do not trailer for the most part . when i pull it to clean it or take it somewhere else , of course i take advantage of a roadside gas station .otherwise i buy where i use the boat. when i need service thats also where i go and who will bend over backwards to get me back on the water because i am a regular customer.....one other thing , i hope you all remember to tip the kids working the gas dock . RISENSHINE !!!!!!

 

[F150GT]

Supply and Demand, As long as boaters will pay the price (motorist alike) Thats what the price will be. You dont see any Quick Fills with cheap prices at the next corener Either. Chris is right on also with tank sizes, My brother had a service station with small tanks, We had to get them filled from a sub distributer, he had to make his share and we ended up buying the gas for what other big stations were selling it for. When the DEC started checking and fining for "old Leaky tanks" we dropped the gas and put in an Ice Cream parlor.
What really pisses me off is over priced launch ramp fees for bad condition poorly operated ramps. If I'm going to pay $5.00 - 7.00 to person, the least they can do is moniter the trafic to make it as efficant as possible. Obviously I'm a trailer boater and dont buy much gas on the water but I do spend a lot of time waiting at launch ramps.
Oh Well the price we must pay to enjoy our passion.
F150GT

 

[jrumon]

GAS TAX at the MARINA maybe TAX DEDUCTABLE??? ...SAVE YOUR RECIPTS!!! Yes...in Michigan, our marine fuel has the state "Road Tax" on it.... something like 40 cents a gallon....

This gas...if it was purchased AT THE MARINA and was PURCHASED FOR A BOAT (the recipt must have marina name on it along with your boat's registration numbers), that the road tax might be deducted on your state taxes... ask an accountant that deals in boat knowledge (like writing off interest on your cruiser as a second home)...

It's worth the phone call....

 

[Enforcer 24]

jrumon, I don't think NY has that sort of rite-off but I will check. Would be a great deduction. F150GT, cheapest place up here is $7 a launch. We have free launches but either they are packed, 20 miles away, or an all stone launch ramp! I pay a buck fifty a year for unlimited launch/parking and it is cheaper that way. The place I go is $10 a wack and I launch more than 15 times a year. I do agree though, they need traffic control/more ramps/more truck and trailer parking. Think about this, When was the last time you have seen a launch re-built or fixed or a new section of grass black topped for parking?

GIT-R-DONE

 

[Brian]

All I'd like to say about this topic is that it's BULLS@$T

 

[F150GT]

You should see this crap dirt launch I use, no docks and little parking. The only good thing is I can get in & out quick. the State launch is allways packed and takes forever with the lack of trafic flow and control.

 

[Enforcer 24]

NO DOCKS

I hope it is free! How do you load the boat for a day out?

 

[F150GT]

Load the boat with cooler and kids and launch-n-go. I have to beach it while parking. (the wife stays with the kids-Im not that bad)

 

[Enforcer 24]

THAT MUST SUCK!! Docks are at every launch around here. Some not so big but ..do the job. Does the wife have to walk out to you after you beach it and does she park the truck/trailer?

 

[Eriktheviking]

THIS GAS PRICING IS GETTING COMPLETELY OUT OF HAND!!!

I JUST FILLED UP MY TRUCK $72.00!!

Lets see,I've got an 80 gallon tank on the boat,IT'll BE OVER $200.00 for gas on the water.Its killin me.

I NEED A BEER!

 

[tcob]

RISENSHINE holds 130 gallons . will be filling it friday , weather permitting . i want to thank the oil companies for helping me donate to bush / chaney 04 .