Effect of Diesel Prices on your Boating?

[Scubadoo]

When I bought my 25ft boat new some 12years ago, I had always planned to upgrade within ten years to a 30footer then a 34ft being the maximum size I would like. Well, when prices started going up mainly marina fees and now diesel, I have decided to hang on to my current boat simply because I don't want to increase my costs. When fuel was about 25p litre I was always out going somewhere, but now I think more about the journey and fuel cost, but that doesn't stop me using the boat, I just think more. My boat does around 4.5mpg so fuel is actually not my biggest cost, compared to the ever increasing marina fees.

I will upgrade at some point, BUT I now think how can I get a 30 / 34ft boat that is fuel efficient, so basically I look at the market out of interest for single engine boats that are capable of 25/30knots. There are some boats that have got my eye e.g. the Finnmaster Grandazza 31. Basically I am watching the market to see how the industry respond to fuel efficient Motorboats and I include alternatives such as electric, hydrogen etc.

I love boating too much to give it up, I have to look at keeping cost down elsewhere e.g. cutting back on car costs, expensive holidays etc.

I tried sailing on a friends boat which I enjoyed, but to be honest when you have a weekend, sailing is just too limiting. We enjoy the destinations as well which for us include visiting places (castles, pubs, vine yards etc). Motor boating give us so much freedom, I don't think sailing would do that for us, maybe it would if we had a lot of free time e.g. retirement.

I think the biggest concern for me is marina fees, my 25ft has gone from £1,600 (1999) to nearly £3,000 (2012). That just means I may have to consider at somepoint relocating to a cheaper berth, not give up boating.

Lastly, over the years you get more cost efficient when maintaining your boat, one simple example is not replacing the anodes on the trim tabs - just machine wire them until they are spent then replace.

 

[rbcoomer]

Budget end perspective...

I'm probably one of the lowest budget boaters here, having a maximum of perhaps £1500-£2000 that I can spend in any one year - probably less! This should grow over the next few years, but not significantly for another 3 years - so every penny counts.

Fuel cost thus plays a big part in both what type of boating we do and how often. The current 'mini-mobo' will do around 0.7L / mile on the plane or about 0.9L / mile at river speeds so not too bad. The expensive bit for us the the £7/day parking for car, £5/day trailer and £15 slipway - combined this makes up half to a third of an average days boating costs.

The project I'm working on will do doubt use more fuel (petrol V8), but will also allow us to go further afield. I had planned to ultimately look at either mooring or marina berth, but as this would have a serious impact on fuel budget, we'll first aim to do a few more years trailing! I'll probably put on a visitor berth for the odd week here and there instead...

P.S. I'm actually looking to develop a new fuel system that runs on Political hot-air - as I think this is the future of limitless renewable energy. I'll refrain from saying 'free' as we already pay quite a high price for it!

 

[maby]

...

Fuel cost thus plays a big part in both what type of boating we do and how often. The current 'mini-mobo' will do around 0.7L / mile on the plane or about 0.9L / mile at river speeds so not too bad. ...

That's pretty horrendous really, you know - if it was your car doing 5mpg you would be going up the wall!

 

[rbcoomer]

That's pretty horrendous really, you know - if it was your car doing 5mpg you would be going up the wall!

Ironically I had a V12 Jaguar XJS many years ago - if you drove it hard enough then 5mpg was easily achievable! A great motor, but I couldn't weld nor apply bodyfiller fast enough...

I actually think the fuel prices will run us off the roads before the water.

 

[maby]

Ironically I had a V12 Jaguar XJS many years ago - if you drove it hard enough then 5mpg was easily achievable! A great motor, but I couldn't weld nor apply bodyfiller fast enough...

I actually think the fuel prices will run us off the roads before the water.

Hmmm, it is very easy to find a car that can do 50mpg - I have a feeling that mobo owneship will bite the dust first.

 

[Seahope]

OK, so the sample of us that voted is not enormous, but I for one am reassured that for most of us it seems boating will continue despite the increasing fuel prices. Importantly, I think this means that new blood will still come into boating allowing people to sell-up or move up.

 

[maby]

OK, so the sample of us that voted is not enormous, but I for one am reassured that for most of us it seems boating will continue despite the increasing fuel prices. Importantly, I think this means that new blood will still come into boating allowing people to sell-up or move up.

Oh, I'm sure that boating will continue but, like cars, it will probably change in its nature. You try selling a second-hand Range Rover and see what price it will fetch.

 

[Whitelighter]

I tried sailing on a friends boat which I enjoyed, but to be honest when you have a weekend, sailing is just too limiting. We enjoy the destinations as well which for us include visiting places (castles, pubs, vine yards etc). Motor boating give us so much freedom, I don't think sailing would do that for us, maybe it would if we had a lot of free time e.g. retirement.

I feel the same, which is why the boat I want will still comfotably do 12-15knts with 20+knts possible in the right conditions.

All for free by the power of the wind

Oh and costs are cheaper, yes sails ever 7-10 years and renewing the rigging cost, but the last pair of green donkeys were £000's each year, so even if maintenance were the same, Im still ahead on the fuel costs

 

[asteven221]

When reading through this thread, fuel cost seem an area of significant concern for most of us. Indeed some are predicting the end for mobo's, or at least a freefall in prices. Gloom & doom.

However, if results of the poll are to be believed, then almost everyone appears to accomodate the price of fuel and just take it on the chin. At least it won't stop them enjoying their mobo or buying another. It seems the voters don't contribute to the thread!

 

[henryf]

Oh, I'm sure that boating will continue but, like cars, it will probably change in its nature. You try selling a second-hand Range Rover and see what price it will fetch.

You must move in different circles to me then. Land Rover are currently having it away with Range Rover and Evoque product. Every third car down by us is a Range Rover.

Henry

 

[maby]

You must move in different circles to me then. Land Rover are currently having it away with Range Rover and Evoque product. Every third car down by us is a Range Rover.

Henry

Well, they have a snob value when they are new, but that soon fades. On a forecourt near us there are two middle aged Rangers in decent condition - the newer is priced at £5495 and the older at £3250.

 

[jfm]

You must move in different circles to me then. Land Rover are currently having it away with Range Rover and Evoque product. Every third car down by us is a Range Rover.

Henry

Yup. My bro and i just bought a new Discovery 4 for my father. I say "just" - there was virtually no dealer stock so we ordered a new build and it took 5 months for it to be built, so strong is the LR order book even at £45k a pop.

However, the "can't sell an RR" maybe refers to older 2nd hand cars. At sub £20k people are more concerned about fuel burn becuase it is a bigger % of their disposable income. Suddenly the cars in that bracket do plummet in value, as we were discussing yesterday on older mobos - the bit Deleted User said was gravity-defying

 

[ean_p]

I feel the same, which is why the boat I want will still comfotably do 12-15knts with 20+knts possible in the right conditions.

All for free by the power of the wind

Oh and costs are cheaper, yes sails ever 7-10 years and renewing the rigging cost, but the last pair of green donkeys were £000's each year, so even if maintenance were the same, Im still ahead on the fuel costs

that must be some boat......could you tell me a little more please?

 

[kcrane]

Yup. My bro and i just bought a new Discovery 4 for my father. I say "just" - there was virtually no dealer stock so we ordered a new build and it took 5 months for it to be built, so strong is the LR order book even at £45k a pop.

However, the "can't sell an RR" maybe refers to older 2nd hand cars. At sub £20k people are more concerned about fuel burn becuase it is a bigger % of their disposable income. Suddenly the cars in that bracket do plummet in value, as we were discussing yesterday on older mobos - the bit Deleted User said was gravity-defying

As I read the post I knew you wouldn't resist the implied parallels

SWMBO was quoted October for delivery of an Evoque at the weekend.

 

[jfm]

As I read the post I knew you wouldn't resist the implied parallels

SWMBO was quoted October for delivery of an Evoque at the weekend.

I was genuinely amazed at the waitlist for these machines. Ditto a blimmin A5 audi 3 litre for another half about a year ago. If the waitlists are so long for these motors why don't they just wham the price up by £3k or whatever it takes?

Anyway, please congratulate R on her possible choice of wheels from me. That will be an excellent machine for 120mph blasting Glocs to Antibes loaded with boaty gear and English teabags/Marmite/HP sauce, at the start and end of each season, which you'll want to do when you make the right decision on (re) location of Le V48. Jimmy Le Foreman and a few others cannot possibly be wrong [/broken record ]

 

[Whitelighter]

that must be some boat......could you tell me a little more please?

Tadah!

Sport version has a 14m Carbon Mast, cabon laminate sales, folds to a beam which is equal to a mono so fits on a normal marina berth (heck, you can even trailor sail it!), doesnt heal more than about 10 degrees (wife friendly) and goes like stink even in light winds, give it a decent F4 and you are easily into the mid teens.

Even has enough space below for 5 decent 6ft berth, heads, galley and, in my opinion, looks very cool.

I wont be having mine in green though...

 

[gjgm]

Jimmy Le Foreman
He isnt there yet !

 

[henryf]

That will be an excellent machine for 120mph blasting Glocs to Antibes loaded with boaty gear and English teabags/Marmite/HP sauce

I've just realised how we are going to have some cheap holidays this year.

Boot full of English goodies, park up on the Marina quayside and wait for desperate expats to offer cruises on their Motoryachts in exchange for 2 packets of Jaffa cakes, a bottle of HP sauce and some Lyons golden syrup. Chuck in some Carnation condensed milk, chocolate hob knobs and a family box of Frosties and they'll even let me wear the Captain's hat

Henry

 

[jfm]

I've just realised how we are going to have some cheap holidays this year.

Boot full of English goodies, park up on the Marina quayside and wait for desperate expats to offer cruises on their Motoryachts in exchange for 2 packets of Jaffa cakes, a bottle of HP sauce and some Lyons golden syrup. Chuck in some Carnation condensed milk, chocolate hob knobs and a family box of Frosties and they'll even let me wear the Captain's hat

Henry

Tee hee. The expats love their home comforts so much that there is a dedicated shop in Antibes called Geoffreys of London which does a weekly stock-up run and is full of things like the ones you mention plus, marmite, walkers crisps, TEA, cheesy wotsits, hellmans mayonaise and other Brit staple diet things. You just have to undercut them by 10% and you'll have the market to yourself. That won't be difficult bearing in mind they charge fifteen quid or whatever for a little jar of marmite

 

[kcrane]

You just have to undercut them by 10% and you'll have the market to yourself. That won't be difficult bearing in mind they charge fifteen quid or whatever for a little jar of marmite

The tv programme on Empire had a shot of a similar Canadian shop, charging $8 for a small Camp coffee bottle, which is certified poisonous at the best of times!