Marina Business Booming Despite High Gas Prices

Raleigh, N.C. — Business at Rollingview Marina on Falls Lake is booming again, despite high gas prices to fuel boats.

Marina managers said 2,500 people took to the water on Saturday, the first day of boating season.

“The word’s getting out about the lake being full. It’s a combination of the weather and the water,” said Amy Poole, owner of Rollingview Marina.

Many boaters were not sure when they’d get back out on the water. Until recent rains, they believed the drought could ruin their favorite leisure activity this summer.

“It was a real concern for us, sure. Those of us that actually have slips out here, we were concerned we’d be able to take the boats out,” said Steve Simpson.

Boater Mark McCraw was not sure if he’d be taking to the water this early.

“Yeah, I damaged my boat motor last time I came out around November, and I did not come back out until the waters came back up,” McCraw said.

Falls Lake may be full, but boaters are still facing high gas prices. The marina is charging $3.80 per gallon.

Poole recommends that boaters save their gas receipts. Boaters are being charged a highway tax, but since they are not burning the gas on the highway, that money can be recouped during tax time.

The amount averages between 42 and 50 cents savings per gallon, she said.

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Latest Comments

Dataclerk - there are so many 'middle men' in the chain of gas, from the oil fields to the gas pumps. Anytime there is a slight drop in prices in any part of the chain, some other party then maximies their margin. Us consumers just keep padding the allets of the oil/gas industry.

It is jsut supply vs. demand. The REAL problem is the lack of additional refinery construction! Right now, OPEC and other oil rich nations (inlcuding the USA) can get all the crude we need. The bottle neck is refining. What we don't see is the gas companies investing their huge profits into new refineries!

Slip Kid
April 21, 2008 10:07 a.m.

As long as we keep buying the gas at these prices, they will keep charging us these prices. Its very simple, supply and demand. Price will not come down until we stop buying it. Plain and simple.

Jermaniac
April 21, 2008 9:56 a.m.

It will only get worse until we figure out a way to disperse our depedency on oil. Think about salt water charter boats who most have two DIESEL engines and boats with 300 plus gallons to fill at close to $5.00 a gallon at the beach. And they can't take their boats out of the water to fuel them up, they have to get it on the water.

IBleedRedandWhite
April 21, 2008 9:50 a.m.

Praying for the gas prices to be reasonable one day. Its getting way out of line. A person just about cannot afford to get to work let alone anywhere else. Who is benefitting from the high priced gas?

Dr. Dataclerk
April 21, 2008 9:32 a.m.