Gas Prices - Is anyone changing habits yet?

[bogey21]

Well, at least you get the beer! I thought it was just us, but lately friends have no problem asking what our weekend plans are. We enjoy having company at the cabin and frequently take the boat out to eat. Wouldn't it be nice if people would offer to buy us lunch just once?

Maybe it is a generational thing. I'm 73 and always give my host $50 - $60 + lunch to help offset the expenses. Heck $50 will only buy about 10 gallons of gas on the lake

GEORGE

 

[Eric in McLean]

I've never heard of anyone chipping in on boat gas bill. If you want your guests to chip in on gas, perhaps you should tell them up front and then they can decide whether it's worth their money?

At what gas price will people move in closer to the city, and live in smaller condo/townhouse?

I live in a townhouse 2 miles away from work and I'm thinking about buying a Smart when used ones become available at a good price. Higher gas prices seems to be good for the environment. At least there are some benefits to the suffering.

 

[beanie]

I've never heard of anyone chipping in on boat gas bill. .

When ever I go out fishing on someones boat I have always footed the gas bill either in NJ or now here in florida. I feel the boat owners are footing an even greater bill just keeping it in the water . I used to go out about 5 -7 times a yr in NJ but here in florida due to my work schedule only make it out about 2-3 times a yr with my bil so I do more pier and jetty fishing now .

 

[Wonka]

When I visit my buddy who lives on Lake Hamilton (Hot Springs, AR) and has a gas guzzling boat, we cut back on trips and time out on the lake. Used to take the boat to get a pizza. No more! Gas on the lake is 50 cents to a dollar more expensive than on the highway.

I also fly more than drive on my trips. With one traveling it makes more sense

George

Yes, our Marina Gas is already $4.50 gal

 

[Wonka]

I've never heard of anyone chipping in on boat gas bill. If you want your guests to chip in on gas, perhaps you should tell them up front and then they can decide whether it's worth their money?

At what gas price will people move in closer to the city, and live in smaller condo/townhouse?

I live in a townhouse 2 miles away from work and I'm thinking about buying a Smart when used ones become available at a good price. Higher gas prices seems to be good for the environment. At least there are some benefits to the suffering.

Eric-

We've never had anyone chip in. My boat holds 180 gallons of gas, it's pretty easy to use 90 gallons on one trip. You do the math...that's $405. With the new prices and the cost of boating on the Gulf, I think sharing costs makes sense. I suppose without asking the thing to do would be fill-up at the beginning and on the return. Maybe when guests became aware of the cost they'd want to split the costs once in a while.

I've also taken guests on timeshare vacations. If we share a rental car, most have offered to pay for the rental car.\, and bought a couple rounds of drinks at dinner. That's fair enough. I've never asked or suggested anything else.

As a guest, I always offer to share 1/2 the costs of whatever we do.

 

[bogey21]

I've never heard of anyone chipping in on boat gas bill. If you want your guests to chip in on gas, perhaps you should tell them up front and then they can decide whether it's worth their money?

Hey, I've never been asked to chip in. I volunteer. Funny though, if I were asked to chip in, it would rub me wrong. Strange how the mind works.

George

 

[Eric in McLean]

Eric-

We've never had anyone chip in. My boat holds 180 gallons of gas, it's pretty easy to use 90 gallons on one trip. You do the math...that's $405. With the new prices and the cost of boating on the Gulf, I think sharing costs makes sense. I suppose without asking the thing to do would be fill-up at the beginning and on the return. Maybe when guests became aware of the cost they'd want to split the costs once in a while.

I've also taken guests on timeshare vacations. If we share a rental car, most have offered to pay for the rental car.\, and bought a couple rounds of drinks at dinner. That's fair enough. I've never asked or suggested anything else.

As a guest, I always offer to share 1/2 the costs of whatever we do.

I'm not sure where to draw the line. Whenever we take a trip that's in the nature of carpooling, the others chip in for gas, if not more. However, when my multi-millionaire friends with mansions and yachts invite me on their boat, I don't offer to supplement their lifestyle. In your example, would your friends still go out on the boat with you guys knowing the cost would be around $200? If Tiger woods invites you to spend an afternoon on his 130 foot yacht, would you still over to pay 1/2? It's more likely that you'd buy him a token gift as opposed to pay 1/2 the operating cost, right?

 

[Wonka]

Hey, I've never been asked to chip in. I volunteer. Funny though, if I were asked to chip in, it would rub me wrong. Strange how the mind works.

George

Yes, that's why I've never asked. I do think, however, if I was planning an expensive fishing trip I'd simply make it clear at the front-end that expenses would be shared by all.

In those situations, where I spend a lot of money to entertain others we hope there will be some reciprocity in the future. If not, those folks are off our "freebie" list.

 

[Wonka]

I'm not sure where to draw the line. Whenever we take a trip that's in the nature of carpooling, the others chip in for gas, if not more. However, when my multi-millionaire friends with mansions and yachts invite me on their boat, I don't offer to supplement their lifestyle. In your example, would your friends still go out on the boat with you guys knowing the cost would be around $200? If Tiger woods invites you to spend an afternoon on his 130 foot yacht, would you still over to pay 1/2? It's more likely that you'd buy him a token gift as opposed to pay 1/2 the operating cost, right?

LOL. We don't have a mansion, or a yacht. I have a small 25-foot center console fishing boat. That's hardly Tiger Woods lifestyle, more like Larry the Cable Guy. I can't imagine what an afternoon would cost to motor for 4-8 hours on his Yacht.

I don't know if our friends would join us, or not if it cost $200. Fisherman might, but I doubt those joining us for a tour of the intercoastal and Gulf would want to chip in $200. Some would. It does cost about $250 to rent a small deck boat for 4-hours, almost $500 for the day.

It isn't much different that offering someone the opportunity to join you in the second bedroom of a two bedroom timeshare which might cost $1200 in maintenance fees. I would have a hard time asking them to pay any of the cost, but if they didn't offer to at least buy a dinner and a few drinks they'd most likely be off our guest list for future use.

 

[Eric in McLean]

I don't know if our friends would join us, or not if it cost $200. Fisherman might, but I doubt those joining us for a tour of the intercoastal and Gulf would want to chip in $200. Some would. It does cost about $250 to rent a small deck boat for 4-hours, almost $500 for the day.

It isn't much different that offering someone the opportunity to join you in the second bedroom of a two bedroom timeshare which might cost $1200 in maintenance fees. I would have a hard time asking them to pay any of the cost, but if they didn't offer to at least buy a dinner and a few drinks they'd most likely be off our guest list for future use.

Everything is in your control. You can choose to invite them or not. You can choose to ask them for money or not. I think you're being passive aggressive yet you want people to agree with you that chipping in is good manners. When I had a 18 foot bowrider, I never asked anyone to chip in. It's a luxury item. Asking people to help pay for your luxury item....it's your call. Just don't get upset that other people don't feel like paying for your lifestyle choices.

 

[bobcat]

I've never heard of anyone chipping in on boat gas bill. If you want your guests to chip in on gas, perhaps you should tell them up front and then they can decide whether it's worth their money?

At what gas price will people move in closer to the city, and live in smaller condo/townhouse?

I live in a townhouse 2 miles away from work and I'm thinking about buying a Smart when used ones become available at a good price. Higher gas prices seems to be good for the environment. At least there are some benefits to the suffering.

I do not know where you are from. I have lived in different places. We always helped with the gas, bait, tackle and food. I always offer. Some of my friends say no . Others can not take out the boat as much if friends do not chip in. Have you ever done a cost review of what it takes to keep a boat in these times. Just think, if your car has a 25 gal tank. At 4 that is 100 per fill up. I f you go fishing, when you run offshore and troll the gas bill is big.

 

[Eric in McLean]

If someone invites me on a boat, I wouldn't offer to pay half the operating cost. I'd bring beer/wine/food, offer to buy drinks/dinner afterwards. If I was a avid fisher, and we go out on a regular basis, I think we would quickly come to an arrangement as to exactly what my share of the operating cost woud be. In the former situation, it's more in the nature of a gift. In the latter situation, it's more in the nature of a business arrangment. That's just how I think of it. I'm 38.

 

[Wonka]

Everything is in your control. You can choose to invite them or not. You can choose to ask them for money or not. I think you're being passive aggressive yet you want people to agree with you that chipping in is good manners. When I had a 18 foot bowrider, I never asked anyone to chip in. It's a luxury item. Asking people to help pay for your luxury item....it's your call. Just don't get upset that other people don't feel like paying for your lifestyle choices.

Yes, of course, I know it's my choice. I've never asked, and probably won't. I don't know if simply soliciting opinions and offering an opinion is being passive aggessive, or not. If so, I'm in good company on this forum since so many posts could also be considered the same. Who cares?

It's interesting how these insignificant posts can result in insults. Frankly, I do find your comment about others paying for my lifestyles choices offensive. It's a caustic unnecessary response with a poor choice of words. Even if they did contribute for gas, that certainly isn't "paying for my lifestyle choices", "it's sharing in my lifestyle choices" which is a bit different. I suppose if someone treated you to a $400 dinner, you wouldn't feel the least bit obligated to reciprocate (asssuming you'd never spend that much on dinner and it's not your lifestyle). That's your choice. I would. The next $400 dinner would be on me whether it fit my lifestyle, or not. If I couldn't afford it, I wouldn't do it again. That's easy.

I've had several 18 foot bowriders. Trust me, the gas consumption isn't even remotely comparable to a twin engine fishing boat. We took people out all the time, all day - the same as you and didn't ask them to share in the cost, and still do. So, what's your point? I've done the same. I'm simply looking for opinions. Things are a little different now with marina gas at $4.75 gallon and 180 gallon gas tanks. Still, I probably won't ask others to share in the cost, whether they can afford to or not. Most of our friends are financially secure. Yes, I think good manners call for some type of reciprocation other than a six pack of beer. We disagree, that's ok. I'm not asking people to agree with me. Disagreement is fine, there is no need for insulting statements like yours. Have a nice day.

Eric, I didn't read your last post. "If someone invites me on a boat, I wouldn't offer to pay half the operating cost. I'd bring beer/wine/food, offer to buy drinks/dinner afterwards. If I was a avid fisher, and we go out on a regular basis, I think we would quickly come to an arrangement as to exactly what my share of the operating cost would be".

There you go...that type of reciprocity would be perfectly acceptable. No disagreement. However, it's ok to disagree if you can be polite.

 

[UWSurfer]

LOL. We don't have a mansion, or a yacht. I have a small 25-foot center console fishing boat. That's hardly Tiger Woods lifestyle, more like Larry the Cable Guy. I can't imagine what an afternoon would cost to motor for 4-8 hours on his Yacht.

We should all do as well as Larry the Cable Guy...

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=49750&cl=1438633&ch=334515&src=news

 

[Wonka]

We should all do as well as Larry the Cable Guy...

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=49750&cl=1438633&ch=334515&src=news

Yes, indeed. Of course, I mean the character, not the real person. He could afford a yacht, but we all buy into the character anyway, don't we?

 

[Fern Modena]

Carpooling to the extreme

I recently went on a road trip to Southern California with some friends and neighbors. I did the driving. I drive a seven year old mini-van which gets about 24 mpg on the road. The deal, which my friends agreed to, suggested in fact, was that I would provide the vehicle and do the driving, and they would pay for gas (in lieu of flying). I started the trip with a full tank of gas, which I provided, of course. When we were almost at our destination I stopped for gas, and I had to pointedly ask for somebody's credit card to get the gas. I felt very awkward, even though they had said they would pay. Where I stopped was slightly less than the halfway point of the trip. On the way back I stopped to get gas at the last station before our houses. I mentioned shortly before we stopped that I would be getting gas there. I figured that was the only way I would get them to pay. Well, I was wrong! Nobody volunteered a credit card or any cash, and I wasn't about to ask them again. I was really put off about this, since they had previously offered to pay. The only way I would do this again is to agree on how much it would cost and get them to pay up front.

I usually drive when we go to lunch or even across town, and I figure that I'm driving because I want to. I don't expect anybody to pay for gas then, although if we go somewhere that there is a valet one of my girlfriends usually pays that. But its different when you are driving hundreds of miles, especially if you previously have an agreement.

Fern

 

[easyrider]

Gas is still a bagain in the USA compared to other countries who are paying $8.50 + per gallon. We are still using our SUV`s , boats, and other gas powered toys but might change our fuel consumption when gas hits $6.00 per gallon, or maybe not.

 

[jwq387]

gasoline prices- changed habits yet?

$3.78 today in Sarasota. We've shortened our boating outings since many boats here only get about 1.5 miles per gallon, or less. Too bad since we bought a new boat last year, and a rack-o-minimum to house the darn thing just a couple of weeks ago. Fisherman often go out 25 miles or more. We're also driving a little less, not much. I do miss the boating on Lake Patoka in Indiana with miles of shoreline, all state park, and lots of coves. We probably only used a small tank of gas each year, anchoring and floating. It doesn't work that way on the Gulf, although we do go out and just shut the engines off and drift.

Once prices hit $4.00 which is probably only a few days away, we're going to have to look closer at our gasoline usage.

3 years ago I dumped my 260hp, 6 cylinder Nissan Altima for a 36 mpg Toyota Corolla. I used to drive 70+mph, now I drive 60. BTW, for those of you considering a Hybrid, at $4 per gallon, the shortest payback period of any car to recoupe the difference in price between Hybrid and all Gas is the Toyota Prius, at about 4 years. The remainder of the Hybrids have much longer payback periods. Guess I'll stick to my $15,500 Corolla for a while! But if gas prices rise to $5, the payback period decreases by 25%.

 

[PigsDad]

I used to drive 70+mph, now I drive 60.

That's great, as long as you stay in the right lane...

 

[pjrose]

I used to drive 70+mph, now I drive 60.

I wonder if average highway speeds for cars and also big trucks will decrease overall (if there's any way to tell). If that happens, and if people drive less, the plus side may be fewer accidents .

 

[Passepartout]

I wonder if average highway speeds for cars and also big trucks will decrease overall (if there's any way to tell). If that happens, and if people drive less, the plus side may be fewer accidents .

The (major refrigerated) trucking company I work for has electronically reduced the maximum speed our trucks will go. Many others have done the same.

Incidentally, we drove about 300 miles yesterday inside Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks. There is a max 45mph speed limit because of wildlife on roads and other distractions. We were in DWs Prius (boy there are a lot of 'em around here). We've had the car 3 years and usually average tank after tank 45 or so mpg. Occasionally, we'll get one tank over 50 mpg with 60 mph speeds and favorable wind. Fuel mileage drops about 1 mpg per mph speed increase.

Anyway, with the 35-45 mph speed limits, I averaged over 65mpg for the day. Which it to say 300miles on less than 5 gallons. This is the best I've done since we've had the car.

It occurred to me that if we were serious about reducing our dependence on foreign oil (or oil in general) or stretching supplies for future use, the surest, simplest way would be to mandate reduced speeds. To assume that economic incentives will accomplish the goal is shortsighted.

Jim Ricks

 

[pjrose]

We were in DWs Prius (boy there are a lot of 'em around here). We've had the car 3 years and usually average tank after tank 45 or so mpg. Occasionally, we'll get one tank over 50 mpg with 60 mph speeds and favorable wind. Fuel mileage drops about 1 mpg per mph speed increase.

Anyway, with the 35-45 mph speed limits, I averaged over 65mpg for the day. Which it to say 300miles on less than 5 gallons. This is the best I've done since we've had the car.

WOW!!!!!

if we were serious about reducing our dependence on foreign oil (or oil in general) or stretching supplies for future use, the surest, simplest way would be to mandate reduced speeds. To assume that economic incentives will accomplish the goal is shortsighted.

Reduced speeds AND more efficient vehicles.

 

["Roger"]

Following up on Jim's post, one thing a Prius does is make you more aware of fuel economy at different speeds. When my wife and I make one particular trip on an Interstate at 65 mph, we barely make 50 mpg. Making the same trip on a country highway at 55 mph will raise our mileage to a bit over 55 mpg.

Put differently, driving at 65 mph costs us 10% in fuel usage. Again, put differently, driving at 55 mph vs 65 mph saves us about $4.00 on a fill up of gas. (I know that a 10 gallon fill up is foreign to many of you, but that is about what we usually put into the Prius at the gas pump.)

If you can find a place to drive at 40mph without stoplights, etc., then you can see the sort of mileage that Jim is talking about.

 

[Eric in McLean]

Unfortunately time has a value associated with it as well. I'm fairly certain I would pay $4 for 10 minutes of my life. If you're talking about all the drivers on the road, reducing the speed limit would cost our nation trillions of dollars.

 

["Roger"]

This is a fair comment and not one that was entirely unanticipated.

You were very generous in saying that you would only save ten minutes for four dollars. On the other hand, most people are driving cars that get closer to 25 miles to gallon rather than 50.

Maybe this would help people visualize the choices. Suppose there was dual-fold interstate. You could either take four hours or four hours plus an extra forty-five minutes to arrive at a given destination. The catch is that to save the extra time, you have to pay a four dollar toll. My bet is that you would see the traffic split pretty much in two.

[Four hours at 65 mph, 22.5 mpg vs four hours and forty-five minutes at 55 mph getting 25 mpg. Gas at four dollars per gallon. I did NOT double check my math but I think the example is about right - a little generous toward the speeder.]

Perhaps those trying to save the four dollars are being foolish. Still, I know of a large, international trucking company that has cut the speed that it trucks can travel on the interstate by five miles per hour. I am sure that they made the calculation that this is the more economical. Slower speed might save the economy money.