PHOTO COURTESY OF WATERSPORTS FOUNDATION
Despite — and in many ways because of — COVID-19, boating activity across the board saw a huge increase in 2020, reports the Water Sports Foundation. People looking to safely escape quarantine took to the water in droves, and new and returning boaters were in the market for used and new boats like never before.
A whopping 415,000 first-time boat buyers entered the market, and the huge demand resulted in low inventory at dealerships, further hampered by supply chain shortages at the factories, according to the Water Sports Foundation report. In addition to boat sales, boating access suppliers like boat clubs, rentals and charter operators gained a whole new following, with new and experienced boaters excited about the benefits of boat-sharing programs that allow for boating options without the expense, and the opportunity to experience a wide range of brands and models before buying.
Boatsetter, a peer-to-peer boat rental platform, reported a 90% increase in bookings in 2020, and Freedom Boat Club saw a membership increase of 35%. Along with the rise in boat sales and boating activity came increased access to boating education — a positive with so many new and returning boaters taking to the water.
“As an industry, we all love seeing scores of new boaters joining our ranks and are thrilled about the diverse and younger audiences coming aboard,” says Water Sports Foundation Executive Director Jim Emmons. “However, we all want to ensure that these new boaters and even those lapsed boaters who have returned, are educated and well-equipped to operate safely on the nation’s waterways. There are a wealth of boating safety and educational opportunities available including both online and live classes; we encourage our boaters to invest time to become educated.”
Online boater education classes spiked in 2020, as many rental and service operators required certification from operators, and new boaters took advantage of increasing access to safe, remote boating education.
“The boating industry is the No. 1 outdoor economic driver in the country. We are working hard to make sure that there is access to the water and that people can be safe so they can continue to enjoy boating. We don’t want boaters to have a bad experience and not return; education is the key to achieving that,” adds BoatU.S. Foundation President Chris Edmonston.
To learn more, visit watersportsfoundation.com.
