High gas prices may be cutting back the fun this summer, but not on the water...

Most boaters say gas prices aren't keeping them land bound.

WDEF News 12 tested this theory at Chickamauga Lake and learned this 4th of July... the water just may be the place to be.

Skimming across the water with the wind in your hair really isn't a bad way to spend the day...

Chattanooga Boater Dale Ingram says, "Since most of the times its done for pleasure I would think they're still gonna get out there and do what they do."

Ingram put 25 gallons in his tank, it cost him $125.

Last year when he bought his boat gas prices on the water were about $3.25 per gallon, this weekend he paid $4.69.

But, Ingram says every gallon's worth it and he's not alone.

Lakeshore Marina Sales Manager Michael Porter says, "We're still selling a couple thousand (gallons) a week. People are still gonna boat."

Porter says Lakeshore Marina has been hopping this 4th of July weekend and he doesn't expect it to slow down.

Locally gas prices aren't affecting boat sales either.

Nationally sales are down 30% but Porter says here, they're actually up 2%.

He's says gas prices may actually be the reason, "They're purchasing a boat or they're using their boat here a little more often as a weekend event opposed to traveling."

Out on the water Ingram is enjoying his investment.

He's a pilot and he says the cost of fuel IS cutting into private flights...but at least for the present, it's not docking his boat, "I think everybody's gonna stay out on the boats right now, at least at this price... What price it's gonna take, I don't know."

A study by Michigan State University found only one percent of boat owners plan not to use their boats this year due to the high cost of fuel.