Henrietta, N.Y. – Lots of sold stickers could be seen on campers and boats at the Boat and RV show this past weekend.“So far this is the best season we've had in 5 years,” said owner of Mark’s Leisure Time Marine, Mark Meyer.
Meyer says he’s on track to sell 250 to 300 boats this season, he normally sell 150.
And gas prices seem to be far from the minds of shoppers.
“We haven't heard one word about it, everybody knows that gas is going up but it really is kind of the unspoken, and no one understands if it's going to stay up or not,” Meyer said.
Mark McMann with Ballantyne RV and Marine sold 50 units over the weekend.
“It really isn't a factor for people who camp, some people might think the gas prices have an effect and won't come and look but once you really put a pencil to it and see how much you drive, it's not going to change much,” McMann said.
But gas is not completely forgotten, Laurie Stone is looking for a tow behind RV, something that burns slightly less fuel than a full motor home.
“Something we can take away for a quick weekend, a little something for the kids,” Stone said.
While campers and recreational vehicles don’t get the best gas mileage, shoppers say it still beats the alternative of travel expenses.
“Airlines are going up and traveling is more expensive,” said McMann.
Those travel prices have many choosing to stay closer to home.
“There's a lot of camping spots in the area that are close by, a quick get away,” says Stone.
McMann says there are more fuel efficient boats and RV’s starting to come around.
RV's on the European markets are scaling down the size of units, hoping to offer more miles to the gallon.
