KEEPING AFLOAT OUTDOOR SPORTS FEELING GAS SQUEEZE.

Byline: SUE DOYLE Staff Writer

LAKE PIRU -- The Torsneys used to set sail on family boat trips all the time. But they are casting off about one-third less these days because of gas prices.

What used to cost $100 to fill their boat's gas tank has now hit $300 -- too much money to plunk down every weekend.

While they are making the most of the times they do hit the water, they, like some other outdoor recreational enthusiasts, are cutting back on certain gas-guzzling activities because of today's gas prices -- about 70 cents higher than in 2005.

``It's three times more expensive than it was before,'' said Brian Torsney of Palmdale. ``We are cutting down on trips to any lake.''

While this year's gas prices have hovered well over $3 for months now, they haven't caused catastrophic economic disaster on a national scale. But gas bills are eating into the budgets of many who are compensating by making small financial sacrifices here and there: Fewer lattes. Fewer movies. Picking from the $1 menu at fast-food joints.

Jack Kyser, chief economist of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., said that in addition to bloated gas prices, people also are dealing with increased credit card interest rates and wondering what their utility bills will be in the next few months.

``There's probably a lot of anxiety,'' he said. ``People are being cautious.''

Some businesses based on activities that use gas, from motocross riding to speedboating, are starting to feel some heat as their customer base deals with the pinch.

Sun Country Marine, a Castaic store that sells boats and accessories, has noticed a 20 percent drop in sales from last year, said general manager Garry Helgeson.

Helgeson said it's not just the hefty cost to fill up the boat that hits people. The price of gas to drive hours to the lake or ocean is also a contributing factor.

But some people are making different adjustments to their lifestyles to continue with these outdoor sports.

Hefty gas prices aren't affecting boaters Mark Huffaker and Eleanor O'Brien very much these days. Pulling their boat with a fuel-efficient Toyota Matrix, the Sylmar couple said they have downsized their life for today's world and therefore don't get weak in the knees when they fill up at the pump.

``We're kind of `green' people,'' O'Brien said.

Some are trimming their budget in other ways to keep playing outdoors.

Spending $10,000 annually in gas for his five motocross bikes, Castaic's John Golden said he's going out to dinner less these days to compensate. The 47-year-old said he looks for other ways to reduce his social life before he'll ever give up doing wheelies and death-defying leaps on his bikes.

``For this sport and being with the kids, it doesn't matter how much it costs to fill up,'' he said. ``We're doing less dinners out. You find sacrifices.''

But Young's RV Center in Lancaster, where vehicles have gas tanks that hold 55 to 90 gallons, hasn't had a drop in sales despite higher fuel prices.

Sales manager Richie Hernandez said the industry has faced fluctuating gas prices before and typically isn't affected by it.

He said the higher fuel prices mean about $50 more at most to fill up. But because people don't use these vehicles all the time, they don't feel as pressured by gas prices as everyday motorists.

``It's not everyday usage,'' he said. ``It's once a month, twice a month if people are lucky.''

sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Mark Huffaker of Sylmar prepares his boat for launching at the Lake Piru marina. Huffaker tows his boat with an economical Toyota Matrix and fills his small boat with 12 gallons of gas.

(2 -- 3 -- color) John Golden, above, of Castaic doesn't let the price of gas ruin his fun. Golden spends an estimated $10,000 a year on gas for motorcycles for his family. Milkman Ron Golden, left, of Ventura has cut back on some of his traveling since the increase in gas prices.

David Crane/Staff Photographer