At Wolverine Park Marina, boats are beginning to fill the docs as warmer weather returns to Erie.
But this year, many boaters are paying close attention to the cost of getting out on the water, which in turn also affects marina owners who had already set their yearly price, leaving few options to get money back.
“You know in some cases some of the hourly work we do, we can add a fuel surcharge but then the customers aren’t happy with that too that they have to pay more so it really trickles down not just to small business like us but all of our customers,” Eric Guerrein, president of Lakeshore Towing Services, said.
On average, boating fuel typically has a 30-50% markup over road gas prices with averages at just over $5 for gas and $6.50 for diesel.
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It’s something marinas and boaters are already taking into consideration this summer.
“I don’t think you’re gonna see it right away, but once they use the fuel that’s in their tanks and they have to fill them up, I think the sticker shock is gonna make people maybe just stay on their boats in the marina or plan smaller trips,” Guerrein said.
Marinas like Wolverine Park Marina said their biggest concern with the rise in gas prices is that they might lose tourism from out-of-state boaters, therefor having to keep it regional here in the Erie area.
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Guerrein said he is pretty concerned that the number of out-of-town boaters is going to drop this summer.
However, even with rising costs, marina operators said many people are still eager to enjoy the lake this summer, especially after the long winter in Northwest Pennsylvania.