Gas prices sink boaters' plans

By Mary Joseph, NEWS 9

With high gas prices, boaters are getting creative about how to get the most fun for their money this summer.

Cruising Lake Thunderbird is a relaxing pastime for the Babb family and although gas prices did not prevent them from filling up their pontoon boat's 19-gallon tank, it did alter their plans.

"It cut us back this year," John Babb said. "Usually, we would be out here three days. We decided today is the day."

At Little River Marina, Steven Davis saw metro boaters opt to save money by coming to Lake Thunderbird, instead of towing their boats south. It's the smaller boats with the smaller tanks that Steven saw taking to the water more often these days.

"You see a lot less of the larger boats and larger cruisers and houseboats," Davis said.

At the marina, gas sold for $4.40 a gallon during the holiday weekend.