Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - More financial pressure on the NH Marine Patrol

CanisLupusArctos · 05-01-2008, 10:15 PM

When I look at the big picture, I see an issue that stands a good chance of dissipating on its own. On other threads we're already beginning to see comments from people who aren't planning to go out on the water as much (or at all) this summer due to the high price of fuel. The talking heads are already on TV priming us for $6.00/gallon gas NEXT summer. Since the speeding issue involves boats that generally use more fuel than smaller, slower boats, my question is: "How many people would speed around this lake if gas was $6.00 a gallon?" Assuming gas keeps going up, which now seems a fair assumption, how much would it rise between now and 5 years from now, and how many go-fast boaters would be willing to pay for it?

One could argue, "They're rich people who won't care." However, I've noticed that most people who look rich usually aren't. Banks often own the majority of everything those people have - an unstable scenario in times like this.

If gas prices somehow find a way back to where they were last summer and then somehow find a way to stay there for a few years, my question would be rendered pointless. If gas prices stay on the trend they started 4-5 years ago (and the direction of global events seems to indicate that they will,) then I see this lake having fewer boats every year. That would render this topic a dying one.

05-01-2008, 10:15 PM	#15
CanisLupusArctos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,049 Thanks: 15 Thanked 472 Times in 107 Posts	Again I ask... When I look at the big picture, I see an issue that stands a good chance of dissipating on its own. On other threads we're already beginning to see comments from people who aren't planning to go out on the water as much (or at all) this summer due to the high price of fuel. The talking heads are already on TV priming us for $6.00/gallon gas NEXT summer. Since the speeding issue involves boats that generally use more fuel than smaller, slower boats, my question is: "How many people would speed around this lake if gas was $6.00 a gallon?" Assuming gas keeps going up, which now seems a fair assumption, how much would it rise between now and 5 years from now, and how many go-fast boaters would be willing to pay for it? One could argue, "They're rich people who won't care." However, I've noticed that most people who look rich usually aren't. Banks often own the majority of everything those people have - an unstable scenario in times like this. If gas prices somehow find a way back to where they were last summer and then somehow find a way to stay there for a few years, my question would be rendered pointless. If gas prices stay on the trend they started 4-5 years ago (and the direction of global events seems to indicate that they will,) then I see this lake having fewer boats every year. That would render this topic a dying one.