CLEVELAND — With the start of summer's arrival many folks usually would be boarding their boats and heading out on the open water but pain at the pump is forcing some to remain anchored.

What You Need To Know

  • Ron Dennison is a Youngstown resident who lives on his boat in Cleveland during the summer weekends

  • Fuel prices continue to rise causing some boaters to not leave the docks as much

  • The average price of gas is $4.59

  • Dennison said it cost him $1,100 to fill his boat's tank

During the week, Ron Dennison and his wife live in Youngstown, but on the weekends during the ummer the two live on their boat in Cleveland. 

“This is our fifth year at Whiskey Island,” said Dennison. “All of our kids are out of the house, and my wife and I decided to buy a boat.”

He said time spent out on the water may be limited this summer due to the rise in fuel prices.

The average price of a gallon of gas in the U.S. hit $4.59 this week, about 51% higher than a year ago, according to AAA.

“It cost $1,100 to fill it up the last time,” Dennison said. "Gas is expensive." 

Dennison said it usually costs him about $800 to fill up his boat. For now though, he said he’s biting the bullet. 

“We still do what we want to do," he said. "We still pay for it.” 

Should fuel prices get any higher, Dennison said he and his wife may not head out on Lake Erie as often.

“Then we'll sit down here and won't move very much,” he said.

Dennison said he is hoping that won't be the case, and they'll get to spend more time out on the open water and less time at the dock.