Bill Cochran is a Roanoke Times outdoors columnist.

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Bill Cochran's Outdoors

Recent columns

• Hunters and anglers still in the conservation business
• Drum fishing on Virginia’s Coast comes in two colors
• Elk advocate finally gets his day
• Turkeys are plentiful, so why are hunting regulations so tight fisted?
• Column archive

Bill's Mailbag

• Remembering A. Willis Robertson
• Putting down a bear cub brings complaint
• Mail archive

Bill's Field Reports

• Eagles are up; black rail are down
• A. Willis Robertson great name for new DGIF headquarters
• Field reports archive

Resources

• Trout stocking schedule

In last week’s column I wrote about how high fuel prices are putting the bite on outdoorsmen. This week, let’s look at ways to keep expenses down so we can keep on boating and fishing.

A TAX BREAK: How would you like to take 17.5 cents off each gallon of gas you buy for your boat? You can by filing for a state tax refund on the boating fuel you use. Many boaters have passed this up, but the time has come to take advantage of it. It’s easy. Just keep the fuel receipts when you pay for your boat gas. Once you have collected several you can send them in with the proper form to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The form can be downloaded at dmv.state.va.us.

GAS AND WATER DON’T MIX: Don’t buy gas on the waterfront unless you absolutely must. Gas at a marina is going to coast you significantly more. If you own a boat that can be trailered or a boat with safe, portable fuel tanks, shop for gasoline at discount stations. When I headed for the coast this week, I filled my boat with gas purchased in the Roanoke Valley, getting it for about 43-cents a gallon less than fuel at coastal marinas. Sure, the extra weight cost me some tow-vehicle mileage, but I still saved. If you do have to purchase fuel at a marina, see if you can find an establishment that will offer you a discount through the BoatU.S membership. See BoatUS.com/membership for details

REGULAR WILL WORK: Unless your engine manual or performance demands it, don’t use premium gasoline. Buying regular can save you 20-cents a gallon, or $10 for a 50-gallon fill up.

TAKE A FRIEND: When I asked Claud Bain, director of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, for ways to save on boating expenditures, he suggested taking a friend. “It is good for our industry to have more people involved and it provides another person to help with costs,” he said.

TOWING TIPS: Soaring fuel prices don’t just hit you on the water, but also while getting to the water. Make sure the air pressure is correct in the trailer and tow vehicle tires. Don’t be in a rush. Speed will add bucks to the cost of towing a boat. Keep the trailer tire bearings well lubricated and make sure the wheels are aligned. Reduce the weight in your boat and tow vehicle, which means tossing out the junk that has collected in them. If your boat as a water tank, don’t fill it until you reach your destination. The trailer should be adjusted to keep your boat as level and as low as possible. The tongue weight should be 5 to 7 percent of the total tow package. Think about buying a boat cover to reduce wind resistance.

TUNE HER UP: Don’t let fouled sparkplugs and dirty air filters rob you of fuel economy through poor performance. You can replace these things yourself at minimum cost. Also make certain your prop isn’t dinged or out of pitch, which can cost you 10 percent in fuel economy.

BOTTOMS UP: Keep the bottom of your boat cleaned. If you trailer your boat, wash it after each outing, not just the deck, but the bottom. If the boat is kept in a wet slip, you will need to haul it out from time to time to remove the barnacles and slime that will slow it down in the water and increase fuel consumption.

WHAT’S THE RUSH: The extra 2- to 5-mph speed you get from full throttle on the water isn’t worth the high cost. Ease back and enjoy the ride. Keep the boat properly trimmed so it will move through the water with less effort and cost.

PLOT A COURSE: Give some thought to where you are headed and plot the shortest course. If you plan to fish two or three areas, choose the ones that are grouped within reasonable distance of one another, rather than those widespread. Cut back on your idling time when possible. If you are over a fishing spot and don’t need the engine to maintain control, cut it off. Make better use of your electric motor if you have one. When it is on, cut the outboard off.