Boat and RV sales not suffering, despite high gas prices

Boat and RV sales not suffering, despite high gas prices
5/30/2007 4:18 PM
By: Jessica Mokhiber







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Boat and RV sales
Temperatures are rising, and more and more people are going to be heading out on their boats and in their RVs for the summer. But with the gas prices rising, are sales of boats and RVs slowing down? Jessica Mokhiber caught up with some people, whose answers may surprise you.




It costs more these days to get to where you're going, and not just for cars. With gas prices at near-record highs, it also costs more for boaters and people with RVs to fill up.

Dockside Landing Boat and Yacht Owner Craig Merrell said, "First of all, it's on the news channels on a daily basis."

So you may think that less people are boating. But it seems that's not the case.

Boat N RV Warehouse owner Geoffrey Hoffman said, "It's more a conversation people have in our showroom. People talk about gas prices, but it doesn't affect a recreational purchase."

"People are still coming in. People are still coming in on vacation. People still need to get away and enjoy themselves, and getting out on the water is one of the best ways to do that," said Merrell.

Hoffman, who also sells RVs, said gas prices haven't slowed down those sales either, but he thinks people may drive them less.

"Maybe on an RV, they'll leave it on the campground at the site more than they'll tow it around," Hoffman said.

But he agrees with Merrell and said in this day and age, people need their leisure time, and he thinks that's why gas prices aren't slowing down sales.

"We work really hard, and it's a stressed-out society these days, and people put a premium on their leisure time, and they work really hard for it," said Hoffman.

Merrell said, "All in all though, for experienced boaters, and people who love to boat, I don't think gas prices have affected things too much this year."

RV Campgrounds Full Despite High Gas Prices

RV Campgrounds Full Despite High Gas Prices
By Josh Hinkle, Reporter


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LINN COUNTY - The nation is still guzzling gas, despite it’s high price. The national average per gallon is $3.20. Iowa's average is even higher at $3.29.

Instead of going the distance this summer and continuously filling up, many travelers are saying goodbye to their cars and hello to an RV.

Joe and Pearl Coder say they found the right spot to vacation, only a few miles from their home. Squaw Creek Campground is just outside Cedar Rapids, and it kept them from spending their savings on gas.

County campgrounds are full and we found many of the RVers, like the coders, are also not far from home for the same reason.

It hasn't slowed everyone. Gary Ketelsen owns Ketelsen RV and sales have hit a record high, 10 percent higher than last year when gas was much cheaper. Even RV rentals are up.

"We're finding that two families are going in together to cut expenses in half," said Ketelsen.

Piloting one of these portables can be expensive. Some only get 8 miles per gallon of gas. And the rentals can run you $2,000 for a week. But, if you are going the distance, it will save on hotel costs.

While the Coders are enjoying their vacation very close to home, they say the price at the pump won't prevent them from visiting their son in New Orleans nearly a thousand miles away at the end up the summer.

They do hope the price at the pump goes down by then. But, travel agents we spoke with in the area Tuesday say the Coders are not alone.

Despite the high gas costs, most people aren't canceling their trips, especially if it's something they've had planned for a while.


http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/7734472.html

Angry RV owners flood Lethbridge meeting

Angry RV owners flood Lethbridge meeting
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 | 11:27 AM MT
CBC News


Lethbridge aldermen will take nearly a month to mull over a proposed bylaw limiting recreational vehicle parking in the southern Alberta city.

None of the approximately 75 people who spoke at Monday's public hearing was in favour of the changes, which would limit the amount of time RV owners can park a motor home in a driveway or backyard.

The bylaw, which aldermen will vote on June 25, would force owners to move their vehicles after 48 hours or face fines and possibly jail.

Upset motorhome owners said Monday that the changes violated their rights to store what they want on their property.

"Clearly I acknowledge that I've struck a nerve," said city solicitor Doug Hudson, who authored the proposed bylaw.

In the leadup to the public hearing, more than 330 people wrote letters opposing the bylaw outright, compared to just 30 supporting documents.

2003 Dolphin - Used RV

2003 Dolphin - Used RV




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Lamar VP Lives in RV

Lamar VP Lives in RV
Jennifer Heathcock
May 23, 2007 - 7:41PM


The drive to and from work can be stressful for many of us, but a Lamar University administrator has found an alternative to the hassle of dealing with rush hour traffic--he's a V-P who lives in an R-V.

It's not your typical RV park.
Dr. Barry Johnson parked and set up 7 years ago, on campus.
"I want to be here close by and be accessible."
Living in an RV at Lamar serves a larger purpose for Dr. Johnson. He wants to be closer to the student body.

"I do this voluntarily. I don't have to live on campus, it's not part of my job description."

But most don't know who lives in the RV.
Johnson wants to be at Lamar if there's an emergency.
"I heard sirens, looked out and saw the flames."

And he was on campus when a residence hall under construction caught fire. The VP wants to be able to deflect the heat from Lamar University President Dr. Jimmy Simmons.

"Don't want him to walk out in the morning, at 6 o'clock in the morning, see the newspaper and the media's on his front steps and he doesn't know what's going on."
Even the students agree it's a good idea.

"Yeah, I think it's an advantage because it makes us feel like he's one of us."
They say Dr. Johnson fits in with the students and better understands them.
Being in touch with the student body is his job, full time.
Even when he's at home.
Dr. Johnson and his wife have a home in Wildwood, North of Beaumont, and often drive the RV back home.


http://www.kfdm.com/news/lamar_20561___article.html/johnson_don.html