I'm gonna throw in some thoughts, be glad to discuss any, as they do I feel relate to fishing and boating and the related industries.

What could be some of the GOOD impacts from higher gas prices?
a. If gas stays high, and probably will, I'd guess most of us will postpone buying a new boat because the cost of gas takes the disposable income we would have spent to get the shiny new one.
b. If demand for boats drops because we all spend more for gas, then maybe......(I can wish right?)......maybe the stupidly high prices for boats and motors will drop some. (I'm not slamming dealers, I know margins are small, but $34,000 for a bass boat is still a little crazy to me when I can get a new truck for less). Conversely, if demand for smaller lighter boats increases, guess what a 14 foot jon boat is going to cost in the future?
c. Just maybe some manufacturers will increase the emphasis of economical operating costs for their boats, with better hull designs, lighter materials, etc. I think we are already seeing some of that as boat motors are getting more efficient, and I do realize that some of that has come because of the more strick EPA guidelines and goals.
d. Hopefully with higher gas, gas guzzling SUV's will see a demand drop, and us that have to have them to pull the rig might get a little help. As my van gets older, I won't even think about buying unless its a year end when the rebates and incentives go bonkers!

Here's some stuff I'm doing to try to cut costs:
a. When I trailer down to a lake, I plan to stay a couple days instead of just one. That way I get the bang for the buck of 2 or 3 trips, go less often, and save some towing gas costs.
b. I added a second trolling motor battery for my 12 volt system, and plan to add a third one. I now ramp in as close to where I fish as I can, and spend more time on the trolling motor, and less on the big motor.
c. I steer clear of full throttle, 1/2 throttle takes more time to get there, but saves $$. Each boat as a certain planing speed where its most efficient, so I try to find and maintain that as the top speed I'll go.
d. I do fish the Ohio more. After ramp in , I run in one shot to the northern most area I plan to fish, then spend the balance of the day drifting or trolling motor running down stream to each other spot I want to try. (DISCLAIMER: Really ticks me off when the wind is so strong from the south that it over rides the current......all plans have shortfalls. )
e. I do plan to invite freinds when I go. One boat, one trailering cost, but 2 man days of fishing. When I go north to fish, I invite northern freinds, when they come south, they pick me up on the way.
f. I'm keeping the 13 year old pontoon, its ugly, but its far cheaper than a new one. The motor I got is not efficient, but its gonna have to do, and do so at 1/2 throttle. The van will have to absolutely die of natural causes before it gets replaced. And if I have hail damage or a small fender bender, the insurance settlement check is not going to fix the van, its going to pay for the gas to get me to the next fishing trip. I'll live with a crumpled fender so long as it does not compromise saftey nor safe vehicle operation.
g. I shall not buy gas from any boat dock, I'll ramp out for gas. The gas on shore is cheaper, and just maybe if I help reduce demand at the dock pump, those who can't ramp out will benefit.
h. I'm putting the sleeping bag on the boat, and a nice warm blanket and pillow in the van. Avoiding just one $45/night motel bill for a 2 day trip, puts enough gas in the tow vehicle to get me home from Cumberland. Avoiding that one motel bill also will get me to and from the Ohio River for one more trip. And if I sleep on the boat, I save running back to the dock at night, tow vehicle operation to ramp out, and then back in, and boat gas to get out to the fishing spot in the morning. And I get to fish longer as I don't lose as much time running.
i. And I have switched to cheaper beer..........if gas gets real high......I might even reduce the consumption levels.