How do you plan to get to your boat?

[John Burns]

Hybrids are the way to go

Get a hybrid like Nick suggestsI have a Honda Civic Hybrid in Florida and average about 50 miles per gallon52 in the winter and 47 in the summer (air conditioning decreases mileage). It helps FL is flatOf course you have to drive them differently. No zooming around like you would with a V8, and limit your top speed to 70 or lessWith gas going to $4.00 it is the sensible way to travel. Plus you get the satisfaction of limiting the money going to the "Towel Heads" in the middle East. Oh did I say that? Sorry, slip of the fingers on the key board!

 

[Bad Obsession]

Sailboats are Hybrids

Sailboats are Hybrids....why can't we get a tax credit! Seriously, a lot of powerboaters may come to see things our way now

 

[NautiDuck]

Camry Hybrid

We get 40 MPG pretty much everywhere. This may not be popular but I believe the increase in gas prices is good. It will finally force the auto industry to get serious about mileage and it will force drivers to choose more fuel-efficient cars. That, in turn, can help us drag our country out of the turmoils of the Middle East.Iknow it hurts at the gas pump. Our other vehicle is a GMC Yukon which gets 13 MPG.

 

[Benny17441]

Actually I am thinking of moving the boat

to a Florida East Coast location for the summer. This will facilitate jumps to the Bahamas. A 250 miles commute will consume about $40-$50 each way. Better than moving the boat each time. At a burn rate of 3/4 gallons per hour with lots of free, wind driven miles, how can you afford not to go sailing.

 

[Don-MT]

A Silver Lining!!

Let’s see: 90 miles one-way to the boat, 2 diesel trucks (International @ 10 mpg, Dodge@ 18 mpg), or a GMC ½ ton gasser @ 16mpg, or the wife’s Caddy STS @27 mpg. If she doesn’t go with me for a long week-end on the boat, she’ll be driving the pick-up. I’m thinking more long week-ends on the boat with my sweetie!! Aha!! A silver lining!! Shine On!DonPhil, is that you on the rice rocket?

 

[Steve Dion]

Typo!

That was a typo at $2.43. It was $3.43. Nobody will think that $2.43 is outragous once they get done turning down the thumb screws.

 

[Deadhead]

If only the dog . . .

. . . could balance herself on the back of the Harley I could leave the diesel p/u at home. She can't, so I will pay the (now up to) $4.079/gallon to drive the 90 miles each way to the boat.At least I didn't fall for that 'hemi' advertising. I would rather pay for diesel & get 18 mpg, than pay $3.50/gal +/- for premium & get 10 mpg.

 

[JerryA]

Drive the Miata

I'll probably drive the Miata and stay longer. Proposing to work one day a week at home (the boat). That would make for a nice three days on the boat each trip.JerryA

 

[Manny]

Fuel Efficiency

I guess there is not much I can do but just deal with the higher prices of fuel. I drive about 20k miles a year and it is definitely putting a dent in my budget. It's not going to stop me from going sailing though.Back in November to save a few bucks on gas and monthly payments, I traded in my sports car that got excellent fuel mileage but needed Super Unleaded for a new VW Rabbit which claimed almost the same mileage I was getting but with regular unleaded. Much to my disappointment I am getting terrible gas mileage - I have taken it to the dealer twice to get everything checked out and they cant find anything wrong. They contacted VW's tech support (who knew that auto mechanics had tech support lines they could call???) and were told that I was doing great with the gas mileage I am getting. My point is if you are looking to by a "fuel efficient" car, research it on the internet first to make sure people are actually getting close the claimed mpg rating on the sticker. I started googling the fuel mileage for the vehicle afterwards and found that a lot of people are getting the same poor mileage. I wish I had done that first. I would have bought a different car...Sorry for the rant!Manny

 

[dancing bear]

45 miles and fun

I have a slightly modified Subaru WRX wagon. It's not mere transportation, it is a blast to drive. It takes premium, and I don't care: I don't buy much gas overall since I take the train to work.With the roof rack and basket, I can haul and amazing amount sailing gear on this little car.

 

[picklefreek]

Diesel will go down in summer as always...

I am a truck driver here in the Northeast and DIEsel is going for about $4.25. As every year, diesel will go down when summer comes because basically diesel and home heating oil #2 is the same thing. Once heating season is over, I bet it will even out (always does). Then of course, regular gas will go skyhigh. It happens every year. If you drive diesel, you pay high for 6 months or so, if you drive gas, you pay high for the other 6 months. I would just keep what you have for now, but if you do find it is time to trade, personally, I would go gas over diesel. Yes, diesel gets a (very) little bit better milage and motors do go longer, but if you just drive average, it is not worth it. I drive a 2002 Chevy K2500 with King Cab and the full 8 foot bed, 6.0L motor. Weather towning or not, i get about 13 per gallon. The diesel may get 15-16, but cost much more when buying and not worth it in my mind. What I have found being a person that needs my full size truck, is to buy a little "beater" car to drive on a daily basis when. My Acura Legend cost me all of $1500 to buy, gets 26 MPG, and paid for it self within 6-8 months of buying it (when considering what I would have paid for gas in the truck). Now, I have a 6 year old truck with only 44K on her, she is there when I need her to pull my boat or camper, and when I go to work in the morning, I take my small car, no need to drive my truck 20 miles just to go drive a big truck. If you want a truck, you have to pay. You want a small car to save money, that is great, but you won't have a truck.

 

[Wayne M]

Doesn't matter

My wife and I live less than 1 mile away from where we have our boat on Lake Michigan. Although we do use her Camry for most driving because my 4x4 Dodge gets 10mpg on a good day.