Boat owners feel pain at the pump at the pier

Save

Marina prices well over $4 a gallon
Posted: 6:14 PM May 22, 2008
Last Updated: 6:52 PM May 22, 2008
Reporter: Mark Peterson
Email Address: mpeterson@wndu.com

51 comments

A | A | A

Take the high price of gasoline, add water, and you have got an expensive start to the boating season.

The pain at the pump appears to be even greater at the pier.

For Lake Michigan marinas, four dollar a gallon gas is a thing of the present.

One marina along the St. Joseph River near Lake Michigan was selling gas today for $4.26 a gallon. Some boaters say that’s a price they’ll be paying long after the summer is gone.

“Maybe we’ll skip a winter vacation to keep the gas in the boat, we would preference the boat,” said Ted Schaefer while standing near his Chris Craft. Schaefer explained, “our boat holds 350-gallons so if you’re talking four dollars plus a gallon you’re at 15-hundred or maybe 16-hundred dollars, it’s a lot of money.”

Meantime, the prospect of buying gas for the boat in today’s market has some boat owners thinking the unthinkable.

“You know, it’s getting into my pocketbook,” said boat owner Ken Maple. “In fact, we’ve even, we’re even discussing maybe about selling the boat, but selling a boat my size, which is a 40-foot boat, is like selling housing now, the market is just not there.”

Meantime, high gas prices appear to be here, there and everywhere, and charter captain Ken Neidlinger is trying to keep his head above water.

“When I’m running out to 300 feet of water, I get a mile a gallon, so far this spring I’ve been burning 100-dollars worth of gas every trip.”

Neidlinger is aggravated and philosophical at the same time. “We Americans will not give up our cars, or our boats…So if the gas is high…they’re going to have to put up with it.”

“People love to go fishing and they love to drive their cars and they’re going to put up with it.”

Although, putting up with it won’t be easy in many ways. For instance, one marina has an older gas pump that is not mechanically capable of computing and displaying the price of gas beyond $3.99 a gallon.

Apparently, the manufacturer never imagined the need for such a thing.

The marina is still selling gas. Employees simply have the pump track the number of gallons dispensed, and then multiple it by the going price.

Part of Cleveland Avenue closed in St. Joe

Man hospitalized after motorcycle accident

80-year-old Niles man shot, robbed at home; suspects arrested

Golfer Chris Smith and family still in shock over weekend accident

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on May 30, 2008 at 12:03 PM
What's the difference between your anger and envy? If you weren't envious you would be happy that they (the CEO's & COO's) are making a good living. You're right, life's not fair, but look at it this way: there is always somebody worse off than you, and always somebody better off than you. All we can do is make an effort to help the less fortunate.

Posted by: Myrt on May 30, 2008 at 07:42 AM
People are going hungry while the CEO's, COO's of these company's cash in stock options worth millions. I'm not envious, I'm angry! But as they say, Life's not always fair!!!!

Posted by: WIllie Location: Niles on May 29, 2008 at 03:14 PM
I'll start being realistic when folks stop being envious. I have neither the time nor the space here to go into a long explanation, but I will say that I'm sick of hearing about record oil profits as if they exist in a vacuum. For example - if any portion of your IRA or 401k is invested in oil, then YOU are a beneficiary of those profits, as are all shareholders in oil companies; not just some imagined greedy executive shoving $1,000 bills into his pockets.

Posted by: Myrt on May 29, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Mark, anything that is not a necessity is a luxury. At least we use the small boat we have to help put food on the table. Computers, TV's, stereos, phones, etc. are all luxuries and I bet you have them all. I wouldn't even begin to tell you to get rid of them because I'm sure you worked hard to earn them just as we worked hard to get our boat. I'll hold onto them as long as I can because I appreciate what I've worked for.

Posted by: Mark Location: Mishawaka on May 29, 2008 at 12:18 PM
The next hard hitting, investigative piece of news reporting from WNDU (and the other local so-called "news" services) will be how the "poor" RV owners can't afford to fire up their gas guzzling RVs. Come on, give me a break. Boats and RVs are LUXURIES. I just don't care if you can't afford your LUXURIES. What I DO care about is putting food on the table and not being able to afford to get back and forth to work. This has to be one of the dumbest "stories" (and I use that term loosely) that WNDU has produced.

Posted by: Donnie Baker Location: None-ya on May 29, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Hey, you wanna buy a boat man? Its in real good shape... I swear to God it is.

Posted by: Common Man Location: SB on May 29, 2008 at 08:28 AM
This is addressed to all of the idiots who think that boaters are ric, arrogant and deserve to paty high gas prices. Have you ever thought about the "common" people like us who own a charter service? They are being effected by high gas prices as well. They are not rich or arrogant. They are common people whose income will be reduced due to gas prices and a poor economy. Think befor you speak.

Posted by: Myrt on May 29, 2008 at 08:03 AM
I wish it was that simple Willie, but let's be realistic. I have to get to work somehow. Public transpo won't get me there and I don't live close enough to ride a bike. I could change jobs, but I wouldn't get the salary or benefits I worked so hard to earn. Unfortunately, Niles doesn't have many job opportunities which will pay the bills. Moving to St. Joe County is not an option because I can't afford to be taxed to death. Besides we live 1/2 mile from where my husband works. He either walks or rides a bike to work. We have also done quite a bit to reduce our fuel consumption. Meanwhile the oil execs continue to laugh their way to the bank while some people have to struggle to fill their 5 gallon gas can so they can mow their lawns.

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on May 28, 2008 at 02:33 PM
If you don't want to contribute to the oil companies' record profits, quit buying their product.

Posted by: Myrt on May 28, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I can't understand the negative attitude against boaters. Most people don't own yachts or cigarette boats; most own small for fishing. We aren't rich, but my husband and I financed a small boat several years ago which we thoroughly enjoy. We go fishing and share the extra bounty with our family. We also have great fish fries. If this offends you - too bad!!!! If offends me when I'm told the oil companies are making record profits and nothing can be done about it. We are told the profits are going back into the company - well the value of the stock options for the power people in the oil business says it all for me. Corporate Greed!!!

Posted by: Chris Location: your neighborhood on May 27, 2008 at 07:34 PM
I don't feel sorry for the rich boat owners OR the poor crack-heads, but I do appreciate the free comic relief I get from reading all these posts!;) Thanks so much!!

Posted by: SS Location: Mishawaka on May 27, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I would like to know why my comment wasn't posted on May 25th. It wasn't offensive and yet you keep posting comments from this psycho in La La Land which are highly offensive to anyone who is truly struggling in these economic times.

There is a comment posted by you on 5/25 in this story. If you used profanity or typed in all caps, your comment was knocked out of the system. Without seeing the comment, the reason for not getting published cannot be said. Feel free to submit another comment. -WNDU.com

Posted by: Haaa Haaa Location: La La Land on May 26, 2008 at 11:25 PM
You can't strike a nerve with me.. other than the fact that supporting loathes bugs the heck out of me.. so if you are in that category.. then yes that strikes a nerve. Other than that, Don't hate those who strive for a decent life by working 76 hrs .. Have you ever worked more than 40 hrs in your life??? And I disagree with the ideal of being well off.. The average house costs $215 (as reported in June 2007) Do the math people.. My boat costs less than most of your cars do! Oh.. and I don't drive that all over either.. We pretty much spend our days at home with the kids.. that is life is all about! Family..

Posted by: be like tom Location: plant earth on May 26, 2008 at 07:40 PM
hey tommy boy. i dont have a boat. so lets take some thing a way that you injoy or have the cost go up. the gas make us all pay. if you have a boat/car/you mouth or what ever runs on gas.

Posted by: Dictionary on May 26, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Boat:- A hole in the water you throw money into. Duh!

Posted by: Nellie Bly on May 26, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Being well off is a lot like being old- no one EVER wants to admit they are, no matter how far over the hill they've gotten. If you have the money to put a boat in the water or operate a boat, you have the money to NOT play with a boat and pay your bills, and if you ARE "struggling" and still using your money for entertainment, you should be ashamed. Poverty struggles, lower class pinches, middle class budgets and upper class manages. It's fun to ignore anyone lower than yourselves, because that makes you the "victim", but if you are making over $32,5k (census bureau 1999- so it's probably higher now), you are MIDDLE CLASS and will only struggle if you are REALLY bad at budgeting your money. WNDU was unclear with this article. The ONLY justifiable point, and a good one, for this story, would be to indicate how much of our society is having problems adjusting to the new economical slant presented by the rising prices. The boater's lack of spending will eventually affect the rest of us.

Posted by: Laurie Location: South Bend on May 26, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Wow is this a news flash? Boaters have always paid more at the pump. But when you think about it boating is probably the cheapest recreation out there. Do the math. Go to disney world. gas to drive there or fly, feed your family, pay for the hotel room. buy trinkets. Now spend the summer on the river. every weekend, fishing, skiing, floating, sunbathing, for me it's half the cost and I have fun with my kids the whole summer. We go the venitian festival. It's really not that bad. Everyone has there own way of having fun. Most boaters aren't rich, yes the higher prices hurt. but I will be sing row row row your boat all summer long. It's an article people, something to take up space. Grow up. Just because you spend your money on different things don't knock mine. I wonder how many of you will be crying when the price of booze and crack and pot goes up.

Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on May 26, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Wow, I guess the truth really hurts. I seem to have hit some very tender nerves. OUCH!

Posted by: Thurston Howell the 3rd on May 25, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Oh Lovey it's just terrible, the price of caviar has gone up and no one cares that we have to pay more for it! Don't they understand how hard this is on us. WHAAA WHAAAA!

Posted by: Haaa Haaa Location: La La Land on May 25, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Lazy people never get it.. Thats all there is to be said. We aren't the reason for your problems (hard working people not rich as you call them) You are your problem.

Posted by: when i grow up be like tom Location: plant earth on May 25, 2008 at 08:46 PM
sounds like tommy boy should get a life. is this all he has to do is read and cut down people what if the shoe was on the other foot tommy boy

Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on May 25, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Haaa Haaa from La La Land. If your not asking for sympathy then what is your point. And by the way I don't drink or smoke and only in your self centered dreams have you ever supported MY BUTT! You work hard and things have worked out for you and you have alot. Sincerely, good for you. But this whole article is about boaters wanting us to feel bad for them because they have become inconvenienced in their enjoyment of a LUXURY. Sounds like the boaters are the only bawling whiners I've seen hear. As I said before, " get a clue". And to Annonymous I never asked anyone to feel bad for me, NEVER. I just couldn't beleive boaters expected people, who are worse off then them, to feel bad for them. So ENJOY YOUR BOATS. But don't expect me to get all choked up if it gets a little difficult.

Posted by: Haaa Haaa Location: La La Land on May 24, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Ok... this whole thing just cracks me up. First off no boaters are asking for "sympathy" And if you think that boat all boat owners are rich, your just plain ignorant. And if you think we are all just now feeling the "pinch" your insane! After paying our bills each week.. yes each week! We have about $100 left over, and thats after working 76 hrs a week. Yes we have a decent house, and a decent vehicle but it is because we "choose" to work hard for our children. We have to borrow from Peter to pay Paul every now and again, but we budget pretty well so that we can pay who we owe on a timely manner. Those who don't work hard (I know you all think you know what hard work is.. but I beg to differ) And blow your money on beer and ciggeretts instead of thriving for your future can all go bawl together, Im tired of supporting your butts and then listening to you whine about how bad you have it. Try getting a second or third job, then complain.

Posted by: dawn Location: south bend on May 24, 2008 at 09:08 PM
If you have a boat and can't afford the gas, maybe you should just sell the boat or park it until things improve. It's a luxery, not a necessity. I can't have a lot of sympathy for anyone who can't afford a luxery. Worry about all the necessities and life, and if you can't afford the extras, get over it.

Posted by: Connie Location: Warsaw on May 24, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Like most arrogant, spoiled, self-centered people, I see the classic response of "you're stupid, you're lazy, you're drunk" to anyone who DOESN'T FEEL SORRY FOR A BUNCH OF BOATERS. I live in a lake community, and know plenty of boaters, and believe me, they all think they are struggling on their $80k salaries in their $150k houses. But, real struggling means, after you have worked all week, long hard days, after you have pinched pennies and given up luxuries like boats and even though you take vacation time for doing those jobs that working all week doesn't allow you to do, and because there's no money to have someone do it for you...then, you still have to pick whether to pay this bill or that, whether to fix the choking car or the leaky roof, or buy meds or school clothes. Giving up a winter vacation so you can boat all summer isn't struggling, it's just budgeting, but I suppose it is traumatic for those who've never had to do it before.

Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on May 24, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Wow, If you just assume that anyone who doesn't agree that you deserve to feel sorry for yourselves is either on government assistance or is a drunk, you can therefore feel justified in ignoring them and continue to feel sorry for your over-indulged selves. A lot of us work long hours all week and are still struggling just to make bare necessities. Now I'm not saying you don't have a right to enjoy your boat, if you can afford to. More power to you! All I'm saying is don't expect us to feel sorry for you because all of the sudden your feeling the pinch many of us have been experiancing for some time. Your not being able to go boating just doesn't even come close to comparing with those who can barely afford to live. Sounds like some people need a clue!

Posted by: Anonymous on May 24, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Do not expect me to feel bad for you Tom. If you don't like your situation, do something about it. And to perfectly clear, I am certainly not looking for sympathy. It was your arrogant comments that make me sick. You assume that because people are able to afford medications, they aren't struggling. We work our butts off so our children can have everything they need....NOT WANT either. We choose family activities over just letting them sit and watch tv....how dare I. How dare I have the nerve to complain about $4 plus a gallon of gas just because I have a boat. Because lord knows I don't work my butt off, everything is just handed to me on a silver platter. And to answer your question about my version of struggling....to strive or labor earnestly. Get over yourself already.

Posted by: somewhere Location: Over the Rainbow on May 24, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Glad to see everyone that blows there money drinking it up at the bar every weekend likes to cast stones at those who choose to spend there money on more family oriented activities. Have fun getting sloshed this weekend!

Posted by: Reality Location: Indiana on May 24, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Everyone also needs to remember the trickle down theory.. if the boaters feel the pinch.. they don't go out.. if they don't go out, our communities lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue that we as a community thrive on. So it will end up hurting everyone not just the boaters. Basic Economics people.. if you graduated highschool you would understand that.. it doesn't look like many of the previous posters did.

Posted by: What? Location: Michigan on May 24, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Ok.. so sounds like if you work your butt off to try and enjoy life you are deemed not worthy of sympathy? We own a boat (no where near a cabin cruiser.. a little 21' cuddy) My husband works 6 12 hour days a week, we purchased the boat pre children days.. And yes we do struggle from week to week. Just because we don't sit on our butts collecting govt aid wanting to know where our next free check is coming from doesn't mean that we don't struggle! It's insane how people that work very little or get govt aid seemt o think that anyone that works hard is to blame for their problems.. Get over it and get a real job.. then complain about working too much LOL! Sad, just sad.

Posted by: think about it on May 23, 2008 at 10:26 PM
if the people wealthy enough to put a boat on a lake are starting to cry about having to pick and choose things to do for fun, can you imagine how harsh reality is for those who are REALLY poor? THANK GOD poverty spared them the trauma of trying to choose between running a boat on the water or going to disney land! maybe we should take up a collection for the benefit of those "poor" boaters! and, oh my god! maybe i'll have to listen to the birds on a pleasant summer morning instead of the roar of boat motors! what a horror! WAA-AA-AA-AA-AA!

Posted by: Connie Location: Warsaw on May 23, 2008 at 09:10 PM
The only aspect of this article that in anyway interests me is that the middle to upper classes are finally starting to feel the pinch. It causes them to have to choose between expensive vacations and expensive toys-which up until now they have enjoyed with little to no trouble. But, really-"the vast majority (of boaters) are struggling"? lol! Please, take a reality pill! As the old saying goes, a boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money...so if you own&operate a boat- no matter how little you paid for it, you are NOT struggling. You ARE choosing to spend money on a plaything, and may have to give up other playthings to do so, but you're concept of struggling is severely warped if you think that is struggling. Struggling is trying to choose between meds or food, or phone bills or electric bills, and if you do that to boat, gas prices are NOT your biggest problem!

Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on May 23, 2008 at 06:06 PM
To Anonymous again, by the way your arrogant assumption about my vacation schedule is riduculous. My vacations for the last 10 years have been spent doing home repairs I couldn't afford to pay someone else to do or taking care of sick family members. I haven't been on a "vacation trip" in about 15 years, since you brought it up. So I hope you "poor struggling" boat owners enjoy yours.

Posted by: Donny Baker Location: In front of Walmart on May 23, 2008 at 04:58 PM
I have a boat for sale, swear to God I do.

Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on May 23, 2008 at 04:08 PM
to Anonymous, May 23 at 2:13, if you're taking a boat out at all YOU'RE NOT STRUGGLING! Please, give me a break. Define struggling. If you can't afford the new car this year or have to stop eating out so much, that's not struggling. If you're going hungry or not buying medication and still paying to take your boat out that's not struggling either, that's just stupid! Some people out here have given up everything not absolutely necessary just to get by and still barely have enough to eat or buy gas to get to work with. THAT'S STRUGGLING!! I would be ashamed to try to work up sympathy from others because I can't play with my TOYS while people around me are barely able to meet their basic needs!

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on May 23, 2008 at 02:55 PM
I could use a good kidney if you have one to spare... no, wait a minute; I'm thinking of my poor liver.

Posted by: tom Location: goshen on May 23, 2008 at 02:02 PM
i could care less of what a person has to pay to fill up a boat. one thing ive learn if you have to ask what the gas mileage is, you probably cant afford it . food for thought.

Posted by: BRIAN Location: ST.JOE on May 23, 2008 at 01:47 PM
How much is a good kidney going for ?

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on May 23, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I'm going to sell my blood plasma so I can go fishing. I mean, you have to have priorities, right?

Posted by: Anonymous on May 23, 2008 at 12:13 PM
To Tom of Leesburg....My husband and I aren't rich! We are everyday working people struggling just like most of us. We happen to have a boat that was given to us by my father. We don't take vacations or spend money on non-essential things. Don't assume you know all boaters...the vast majority of us are struggling. This just put a major crimp in my summer plans, but please enjoy your vacation....I am sure you take one!

Posted by: Anom Location: SB on May 23, 2008 at 11:57 AM
If you can afford these boats you can afford the gas, just like the RV's you should not buy them if you do not have the money to fill them up.

Posted by: not happy Location: here on May 23, 2008 at 11:31 AM
(hey are you educated) I got you to laugh so my job is done. life is to short. so smile and have fun. The oil guys will get there is the long run.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 23, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Betty, please. Keep your story about getting hot on a boat, bobbing up and down, and getting off in the water with your brother, to yourself!

Posted by: Are you Educated at all? Location: Michigan on May 23, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Ok.. just wanted to comment on a few of the idiotic comments made.. first of all unemployment is paid by your employer through unemployment wages not the government.. second of all if everyone goes on welfare (which is what it would be) There wouldn't be any money left.. unfortunatley there isn't a whole lot we can do about this .. but thought the comment about unemployment was kind of funny.

Posted by: betty c on May 22, 2008 at 10:37 PM
thats too bad i use to go on lake mitchigan w on menorial day it was nice to go out and just bob up and down in the boat and if you got too hot you just get off in the water and cool down. my brother said there was sharks and he swim up under me and grab and stuff but i knew he wasnt a shark!

Posted by: alex Location: mishawaka on May 22, 2008 at 10:37 PM
and acn you believe today a major oil company said they weren't making any money. ha what a load of bull. even the government official laughed when told that.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Osceola on May 22, 2008 at 09:14 PM
It's sad. I enjoy boating & fishing, but I can barely afford gas in my car to drive to work, so the high gas prices will screw up any leisure like boating and vacations for me!

Posted by: not happy Location: what about this usa on May 22, 2008 at 09:04 PM
what is the usa becomeing. every thing is going up. and my pay is not. soon it will cost to much just to go to work. then we can all mouch off the goverment.

Posted by: That's for me on May 22, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Wind is free; buy a sailboat.

Posted by: Tom Location: Leesburg on May 22, 2008 at 07:49 PM
I've heard from all kinds of people who are having to choose between buying food to eat or buying gas to drive to work but their problems pale when compared to all these poor rich people who can't take their boats out as often or are going to have to skip their winter vacation. HOW DO YOU MAKE IT?!

Posted by: Mitch Location: Mishawaka on May 22, 2008 at 06:58 PM
These prices are for recreational boaters...not commercial.

Posted by: Powerboater Location: Michigan on May 22, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Chalk up another casualty to greed of the oil companies. There are alot of people that depend on boating and related services for their living. I guess the government won't mind a few more folks on the unemployment line. So far they have done a hell of a job destroying what is left of the American dream.