When Historic City News readers pull up to the pumps this week, they are paying just over $4.00 per gallon for branded unleaded gasoline; depending on the vehicle, that might mean $40 – $60 per tankful — but, how would you like to hear $1,400 instead?
At Camachee Cove on the west bank of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway at the St Augustine inlet, most of the fill-ups are about 300 gallons of fuel; and, this morning, diesel marine fuel was running $4.28 per gallon. The dockmaster told our reporter that the average fill-up might run between $1,200 – $1,500, as he shook his head.
Whether inboard or outboard, the high fuel costs for boaters, with gasoline running just under $5.00 per gallon at Camachee Cove, means more vessels are docked or stored than usual for the early spring season. “At least half these boats should be out on the water today,” Historic City News was told. “The parking lot should be full, not the marina.”
Across A1A, in the parking lot of the Vilano Beach Boat Ramp, one pleasure boat was trailered with a big “For Sale” sign taped to its side.
At Anastasia State Park, the kayak and canoe rental vendors are hoping their eco-friendly alternative to powerboats will be this summer’s big hit. Nonetheless, fun on the water — whether boating, personal watercraft or skiing, is still one of St Augustine’s big tourist draws. With gasoline prices threatening the $5.00 per gallon mark, it remains to be seen how St Augustine and St Johns County visitors will amuse themselves as the summer vacation season cranks up.