Boat Virgin

Recreational boating has been tipped as the measure by which a looming recession can be predicted. When boat sales begin to sink, take care elsewhere, is the general pointer.

One reason behind this is that recreational boating is seen to be something people do with their disposable income. No disposable income, no buying a boat.

President Obama recently remarked that: “…You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage”. The remark was taken up by the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) who pointed out that boating is actually a healthy family entertainment. Healthy because it gets you out-of-doors. Family because there is something for everyone and new skills to be learnt. If you value these, then you will not consider yourself to be spending money on frivolities.

The boat-building industry is also one of the few manufacturing-based businesses, which exports, in the USA. It contributes over one hundred billion dollars to the economy, a fair proportion of which the government receives as revenue from taxes etc. Overseas buyers, due to the weak dollar, see a ‘Made in America’ boat as a superior purchase.

A good proportion of boat owners comes from the group of people who have annual incomes of less than $999,999. The boats they own are small, less than 25′ in length.

Financing a boat, especially in 2009, was extremely difficult and many manufacturers went out of business, their stock being bought up at low prices by their competitors. Visitors to the recent Boating Shows have found bargains which they were not expecting, some of which would have been the stock in question which was sold on at now profitable prices.

One overlooked area regarding boating is that even a recession can provide an opportunity for an intrepid DIY boat builder, or even small boat owner, who finds much to enjoy out of doors. Find out where wild waterfowl can be spotted in your local area and offer to act as a guide with your boat to where they may be seen. There is a website – wetlands dot com which is one place to start.

To view some small boats visit: