Boaters feel the pinch as gas prices nearly triple fuel costs

BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - Capt. Corey Gropp traveled across the bay to find the cheapest gas prices on the water, but even that couldn’t soften the blow at the pump.

His boat fill-up nearly doubled in cost.

“50 to 170 bucks. And then now I’m going to have to go probably drop another 100 bucks. So probably a total of 300, 250,” he said.

Gropp filled up at Marina Exxon off of U.S. 41 in Bradenton, which he said has the cheapest gas prices on the water. He said he expected the fill-up to cost more, but was still surprised when it almost doubled.

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He said he expects fewer boats out on the water, eventually hurting tourism on the Suncoast.

The price spike comes as gas prices continue to climb nationally. A gallon of regular gas now averages $3.91, according to AAA. That’s up 3 cents from Thursday and 98 cents from a month ago.

Crude oil prices remain above $100 a barrel due to the war with Iran.

In Florida, the average price is $3.95 per gallon. Manatee County is at $3.97, while Sarasota County is at $3.98.

Diesel prices have also risen sharply. The current average in Florida is $5.38, up from $5.24 the previous day and $3.63 a month ago.