Ken and Wendy Pratt of Middletown own a 33-foot cabin cruiser, which is powered by twin, 250-horsepower Yamaha outboards and burns 30 gallons an hour.
The Wenweken III is "outfitted to the max," with GPS navigation, satellite weather, outriggers for eight fish lines, cable TV, surround-sound stereo and a full galley and bath, Ken Pratt said.
The Pratts entertain their 14 grandchildren on the boat, which is kept in Niantic, travel across Long Island Sound for lunch or take overnight fishing trips 100 miles out to sea along the Gulf Stream.
The fun doesn't come cheap. The Pratts' fuel tab this summer will reach $150 an hour.
In response, they say they'll cut the number of long trips this summer from about five to three and split the gas bill with friends on two-day fishing trips. Grandchildren have just as much fun lounging by the marina pool as going out to sea, they said.
"These deck chairs here are our front porch, and now we'll just do more of that," Wendy Pratt said. "High fuel costs just mean a shift of balance for us, not a big change."
Rising fuel prices are extending the pain to the boating, recreation and tourism industries. Nationally, the slow economy and rising fuel costs have cut into the margins of the boat industry. Powerboat sales dropped about 10 percent last year, the National Marine Manufacturers' Association said.
And Brunswick Corp., a major manufacturer, announced layoffs and factory shutdowns.
The boat industry has adopted a marketing strategy highlighting "lifestyles choice" that can be enjoyed whether or not the motors are running. Boats such as the one owned by the Pratts' that, fully equipped, can cost $300,000, should be viewed as a less expensive and more mobile alternative to a second home, the industry says.
The industry is particularly sensitive to the notion that cruising boats are a lifestyle for the rich.
About 85 percent of boats in Connecticut are 25 feet or smaller "and that's Joe Lunchpail," said Grant Westerson, executive director of the Connecticut Marine Trades Association. "So, yes, they're affected by fuel costs, but they're not going to stop boating or coming to marinas."
Don MacKenzie, general manager at Boats Inc. and president of the Connecticut Marine Trades Association, promotes marinas as a destination.
His marina in Niantic, which has 200 slips, seeks to entice overnighters with amenities such as showers, swimming pool, barbecue grill area, cable TV hookups and a computer room. Wireless Internet service will probably be introduced next year, MacKenzie said.
"Of course gas prices are a factor for boaters in a year like this, and they'll have to budget for that," he said. "But a boater doesn't have to go anywhere or use gas if he chooses not to. Spending time by the pool, visiting a local restaurant or just falling asleep on your own boat is a big part of the lifestyle."
Patrick Devine, however, has different plans.
"Me? I'm going fishing this year. Period. I'm not cutting back," he said. "Why sit on your boat in a slip? That's a very expensive lawn chair."
