I think it's pretty simple. The economy has softened, interest rates are up, the job market is getting tougher with jobs being lost to lost abroad, cottage rental prices or motels rates are expensive and going up. Not to mention the gas prices going up which starts the inflationary spiral of increased prices for goods and services. This means less discretionary income, translated (at least for us) into less time on the lake.
In my family's case, between the high water on the lake until July and much higher gas prices, we have been up much less than last year. When we are on the water we have traveled much less on the lake and anchor more.
