10:19 PM CDT on Saturday, July 12, 2008

By RAY SASSER / The Dallas Morning News
rsasser@dallasnews.com

 

The 23rd Dallas Summer Boat Show begins its weekends-only format Friday to July 20 at Dallas Market Hall. The show's second weekend is July 25-27. High fuel costs have created an economic challenge for boaters, but industry spokesmen say the boating lifestyle is so firmly entrenched that enthusiasts are willing to make sacrifices elsewhere to finance time on the water.

 

Of 2,400 boaters surveyed on behalf of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, only 1 percent said they do not plan to use their boats in '08 because of fuel costs.

 

Boat dealer Tommy Yetts of Rockwall Marine said local sales have slowed because of fuel prices, but Texas remains a strong boating market.

"Texas is holding its own in boat sales," Yetts said. "I'm hearing from dealers in other parts of the country that are having problems. The Texas economy is strong enough that our people are still interested in boats. In the Dallas area, we've got lots of close-in lakes and plenty of water."

 

Yetts said fuel efficiency has become more of an issue for today's boaters. Luckily, the marine industry has responded. Modern outboards boast 35 to 40 percent better fuel efficiency than their counterparts from just a few years ago. Some of the big V-6 outboards claim mileage as high as four mpg, depending on how the boat is used.

"My customers are not concerned with downsizing their boats – at least not yet," Yetts said, "but they are interested in technology that allows them to save fuel. Novice boaters, in particular, can save money by learning the proper way to trim their boat for maximum efficiency."

 

For convenience, many urban and suburban boaters store their craft in the water at a favorite marina, but Yetts recommends a lift system that supports the boat in a sling, out of the water. Otherwise, he said, the boat should be hauled out at least once a week so the hull can be cleaned to remove algae growth.

"A dirty hull results in a significant decrease in efficiency," Yetts said. "On many of the newer engines, you can buy a computerized instrument that monitors fuel consumption and lets you know, without question, which speed and trim are most efficient. For most rigs, we advise running at mid-throttle for maximum efficiency – that's usually 4,000 to 4,500 rpm."

 

The fuel flow monitor starts at about $300 but will save money with fuel savings over the life of the boat. A global positioning system is built into many high-end sonar units and also saves money by plotting the most direct route from your fishing hole to the boat ramp.

Slow sales result in good consumer prices and the summer boat show has always been the place to find a bargain as dealers offer clearance prices on this year's models in the middle of the summer boating season.

 

More than 800 boats will be displayed. The first weekend will focus on fishing and the outdoors. A Salute the Troops Bass Challenge will take about 20 wounded soldiers fishing for an afternoon with pro anglers at Lewisville Lake. One of the soldiers will fish with Weatherford bass pro Gary Klein, a perennial qualifier for the Bassmasters Classic.

 

On Saturday and July 20, there's an open Casting the Net Tournament in conjunction with the boat show. It's set for Lake Ray Hubbard and features Joni and Friends, a fishing team that travels the country to promote the organization's religious message and offer an outdoors experience for disabled anglers. For registration or other information, go to www.centraltexasonline.com/caba.

 

Joni Eareckson Tada founded Joni and Friends in 1979 after being paralyzed in a diving accident. It is estimated that more than 9 million disabled people are interested in fishing.

The boat show's second weekend features wakeboarding and watersports.

Both weekends, there's an All Family Fishing Fair with a catfish fishing contest, fishing related games, archery, air rifles and a climbing wall.

 

23rd Dallas Summer Boat Show

When: Friday-July 20 and July 25-27.

Where: Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Freeway.

Hours: Fridays, 3-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Admission: Adults, $8; children 13 and under, $4; children three and under free.

Information: www.dallasboatshow.net.

 

Save fuel

Tips from Boat Owners Association of the United States.

■ Leave the extra "junk" at home. Don't load the boat with weight you don't need.

■ Tune her up. An engine tune-up is an excellent investment.

■ Tune your prop. If your boat goes 30 mph with a pristine prop and only 27 mph with a dinged or out-of-pitch prop, that's a 10 percent loss in fuel efficiency.

■ Keep the boat in trim. Using trim tabs or distributing weight evenly will help move your boat through the water with less effort – and less fuel.