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Falling Marina Gas Prices Create River Business Boom

Story Published: Jul 1, 2012 at 7:22 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 1, 2012 at 7:22 PM EDT

Steve Cole pumps gas six days a week for Hutchinson's Boat Works in Alexandria Bay, and he says dropping gas prices are bringing in the boats.

"We started out at the beginning of the year, we were $4.69. We're down to 4.27. It's going in the right direction at least. And it seems like we're getting a few more boaters out now that gas prices have gone down a little bit," Cole said.

$4.27 may seem like a shockingly high price for a land lover. The average price in Watertown is down to $3.45/gallon.

Marina gas prices are generally higher for a number of reasons. For one thing, delivery costs are more to gas stations on the water. For another, the 91 octane gas most boats use contains no ethanol.

But even with higher prices, this recent drop is big for boaters

When you're filling a big boat, with a big tank, a few cents difference in the gas price can be a big deal.

"Well, when a boat takes a 2, 3, 400 gallons, it's quite a difference," said Lonnie McAllister, Bonnie Castle Harbormaster.

For a 400 gallon tank, a drop in 10 cents is 40 bucks still in your pocket.  And most boats on the bay have big tanks.

"This boat here will take roughly probably 7-800 bucks," Cole explained as he was filling up one customer's boat.

"Tanks went from $1,000 down to $700 so that's a lot better," said boater Charles Baldwin III.

Back on the dock, Steve Cole says he hopes prices continue to fall and, in turn, the boats keep coming back.

Saturday, May 25, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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