People here obviously have the boats they want but can't afford.
and the conditions now are high fuel costs and too many people on the water.
Smaller boats are the way to go. Or even finding something else to do like bicycleing that dosn't burn much fuel.
The arguments one uses to try to support their own likes and dislikes. I sure don't get the impression there are a lot of people here who have boats they can't afford. Do you mean can't afford to run wot 100% of the time? Or is it prefer not to, prefer to save some money to use for other things. I do not agree all the discussions of fuel costs mean people can't afford it. I, like most, can afford many things I choose not to spend on.
Conditions are high fuel costs and too many people on the water? Fuel costs are at a historic low. As to people on the water, I don't know where you decided it was too many. Is that when you're not the only one? Is two company and three too many? All I've heard for years is the reduction in people actively boating. Go boat on any inland lake in the Southeast and you'll find out what too many people feels like and yet it's still down from ten years ago.
Now we get to the point you'll use any possible means to make even with statements such as above that smaller boats are the way to go. Or bicycles. Damn, I tried riding my bicycle across the water and we sunk. Pedal boats maybe?
I respect that you've found the type boat and boating you enjoy other than that there are too many of us on the water. You don't need to use contrived arguments to support it. Just say "I believe" or "I like" and that's all it takes. We have 9 people on board at the moment and will have three more guests tomorrow. We'll have 12 or 13 for Thanksgiving. Please don't say I need a smaller boat.
There are certain topics that are always popular. Fuel consumption gets discussed on road and water regardless of current prices. I honestly heard in passing someone ask the other day what fuel mileage a Rolls Royce gets. That's like the restaurant where if you have to ask you can't afford it. I had no idea, but I did look it up. A Phantom gets 19 hwy, 11 city, 14 overall.
Enjoy your boat, your style, your dislike of hp and love of economic. I admire your choices. I just don't share them.