Stormy weather and rising gas prices may put a damper on spirits, but boaters are determined not to be deterred. They may stay closer to home and enjoy socializing dockside, but they”™ll be out on the water whenever they can get away.
Fred Proctor, co-owner of Storm King Marine Center in New Windsor, said despite the unseasonable weather the region has experienced, “Business is up over 2010 and extremely active, particularly for used boats. We have boats ranging from $8,000 to $500,000 in our inventory. There are people out there with the ability to buy ”“ and they do.”
The weather hasn”™t been helpful for dealers, Proctor said. “Last year, we had a perfect spring and summer. Not too much rain and nice sailing weather. Â This year, we started off like gangbusters in April until early May ”“ then the rain and unseasonably cool temperatures descended on us. For us, it has a damper on the retail side, but we also export boats all over the world. Sweden is one of the hottest markets this year, so that has been a big plus for us.”
Konrad Kreuter, president of the Empire State Marine Trades Association in Albany, said recreational boaters may change their habits, depending on the size of their craft and disposable income.
“The predominantly under 25-foot boaters we”™ve spoken to don”™t see a radical shift in their lifestyle. They enjoy being out on the water and escaping the pressure. If it costs them an extra $100 a season to fill up, they will deal with it. They may not make the big trip and go offshore 40 or 50 miles, but they”™ll be out whenever they can.”
Those in the cabin-cruiser crowd, said Kreuter, are feeling the pinch at the pump. “A boat in the 25-foot and over category typically uses 30 to 40 gallons an hour … that”™s a significant investment. Those owners  might just sit on their boat and socialize with their dockside neighbors more than usual.  It”™s a different lifestyle and they enjoy it. For those in the luxury class, the recession and the price of gas have no effect on them ”“ it”™s a non-issue.”
Kreuter said marinas around the state who had waiting lists for slips prior to the Great Recession are seeing a rebound ”“ unless they are in an area where tourism is not a commodity. “Unfortunately, they are still struggling. They  have also been cautious in gas pricing. They don”™t want to scare boaters away.”
The Internet has helped boost buyers”™ savvy for those in the market to join the sailing set. “When people go into a lot, they”™ve already come in with a lot of research tucked under their belts and know what they want,” Kreuter said. “They are serious buyers and are not there just to look around. They are there to spend money.”
Joseph Minuta, owner of Minuta Architects in New Windsor, loves his boat and fishing on the Hudson, going up to Kingston or to Cold Spring and occasionally to Manhattan. “I think many owners will be sticking closer to home this season because of the gas prices. Even if they don”™t go far from their home base, they”™ll be out on the water or enjoying their boats and socializing with their dock neighbors. It is a great getaway and a break from the pressure-cooker.” Minuta, like most Hudson Valley boat owners, hopes to see diesel prices come down sooner than later.
Those in the sailboat crowd? “No worries for them,” laughed Proctor. “They start up, then shut the engine and let the sails take over. If they use 20 gallons a season, that”™s a lot.”
