Media Tracking
Report
06/26/2008
Article Index
Archive
National Marine
Manufacturers Association Coverage
Outdoor Life
[Newsday (NY), 06/13/2008]
By Jason Lee
Is this becoming the age of the boating Boomers? If last year was any
indication--with more than 17 million Baby Boomers who went boating--it's starting to look like it..."Boating is at the heart of what
Boomers, like myself, love an active hobby that provides an opportunity
to explore the world while bonding with family and friends," said Thom
Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association
(NMMA). "Boating resonates with Boomers because it's a lifestyle
that speaks to their independent spirit, desire for social experiences
and travel, while being attainable when it comes to affordability."...
EPA Releases Boat Permit Proposal
[Boating Industry (Online), 06/17/2008]
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency published the Clean Water Act
proposal in the Federal Register that will impose new requirements on
recreational boaters to learn about and follow specific practices
mandated by the federal government to operate their boats and manage
their everyday, overboard water discharges, the National Marine
Manufacturers Association reported in a statement this morning...If
put into place, EPA's Clean Water Act proposal will expose boaters to "a
high degree of regulatory uncertainty, compliance issues and legal
jeopardy involving citizen lawsuits and $32,500 per violation per day
penalties," NMMA added. "Now more than ever, it is critical that
we unite -- as an industry and as boating enthusiasts -- and compel
Congress to pass the Clean Boating Act of 2008," said Thom Dammrich,
NMMA president. "Boaters everywhere must reach out to their state
and local representatives and ask that they support this key piece of
legislation."...
ABC Message: Legislative Clock Is Ticking Away
[Soundings (Trade Only) (Online), 06/01/2008]
By Gary Beckett
...It's under these conditions that more than 275 people attended the
annual American Boating Congress in Washing ton, D.C., April 27-29,
sponsored by the National Marine Manufacturers Association...NMMA
president Thom Dammrich called the event one of the most successful ABC
gatherings ever.
"We had a good attendance, the audience was engaged," said Dammrich. "We
had the strongest group of speakers and the strongest participation by
members of Congress that we've ever had." Two members of the Bush
Cabinet were on hand, including Homeland Security secretary Michael
Chertoff, who discussed how recreational boating can assist in keeping
the nation secure. In addition, four legislators made presentations. "We
had 15-20 members of Congress who attended our reception and more than
300 Hill visits by attendees," Dammrich added. "We educated a lot of
people in those two days."...
Fishermen Take Liking To Kayaks
[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Online),
06/22/2008]
By Bob Frye
..."Fishing kayaks are the biggest part of the business anymore in some
areas," said Anita Lovan of Wind and Water Boat Works, a canoe and kayak
shop in Butler. "It's been growing that way for the last couple of
years." That's a nationwide trend as well as a local one. Last year, for
example, manufacturers sold 9,015 whitewater kayaks and another 8,779
expedition kayaks, said Kelly Kaylor, assistant communications director
for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. By comparison,
those same manufacturers sold 211,518 sit-in recreational kayaks and
92,938 sit-on recreational kayaks. "We don't track how many of those
kayaks are used for fishing specifically," Kaylor said. "But if you're
going to fish from a kayak, that's generally the kind people use."...
Will Pricier Fuel Sink Boaters' Enthusiasm
[Free Lance-Star (Online), 06/15/2008]
By Howard Owen
...As gas prices climb past $4, the pain is definitely being felt by
recreational boaters...And, you don't get great mileage on the water.
Try 1 or 2 miles per gallon, according to Jimmy Franklin, manager of
Hope Springs Marina in Stafford...Some people, he said, are using their
boats as "kind of a second home, to enjoy summer and camaraderie." In
other words, they come out and enjoy the water without ever taking their
boats out of the marina. "Most boaters have only a certain number of
days on the water," Franklin said, "and if fuel is 20 percent higher,
it's a very minor increase in what they've budgeted." "Many people don't
realize boating isn't like driving a car," Thom Dammrich of the
National Marine Manufacturers Association was quoted as saying in a
recent news release, "where you have to run your engine the entire time
but instead turn off your engine to anchor for swimming and fishing or
socializing with friends and fellow boaters--boating without using
fuel."...
Fuel Costs Hurting Boat Sales
[Akron
Beacon Journal (Online), 06/19/2008]
By Bill Lilley
..The results of a NMMA study, conducted with Michigan State
University, found evidence that the high cost of fuel was affecting the
behavior of boaters.
'What rising fuel costs have created is a change among boaters' habits
-- shorter trips and more anchoring,' NMMA spokeswoman Ellen
Hopkins said.
'They are staying closer to home to do the boating and they are using
the boat more to swim or fish off.' NMMA President Thom Dammrich
said boaters also were cutting cruising speed to save fuel costs. 'They
are looking for ways to conserve,'Dammrich said, 'but we expect
boaters' passion for the lifestyle to continue to lead them to the water
this summer.'...
.
Fuel Prices Drop Anchor On Sacramento-Area Boat Owners
[Sacramento Bee (Online), 06/14/2008]
By M.S. Enkoji
...Some boaters say the four-figure cost for a tank of gas could be the
end of days of motorboating for the masses. High gas prices certainly
will mean changes in recreational boating: shorter trips, fewer trips
and sometimes, no trips...The overall weakening economy, more than just
rising fuel costs, is reshaping boating habits, said Ellen Hopkins, a
spokeswoman for the National Marine Manufacturers Association in
Chicago. Recent national surveys indicate that boat owners - who own
12.7 million recreational boats nationwide - still want their crafts,
even though new sales are down, she said. "Boats are something that
people identify their life with, and they're very hesitant to sell," she
said. So they'll find ways to economize. "Whereas people might have gone
for a long overnight trip, they're staying closer to home," she said.
"People won't be out racing along the water. They'll be going slower and
anchoring more and just hanging out at the dock." The boating culture
involves camaraderie at the docks, where boat owners gather without ever
turning the key, Hopkins said...
Discover Boating Coverage
Fishing
[Advocate (CT) (Online), 06/22/2008]
By Martin Armstrong
...After polling suggestions from hundreds of boaters, industry experts
and travel enthusiasts, Discover Boating identified a list of top
locales from coast-to-coast to enjoy boating activities and truly
experience why life is better on a boat. "Whether you're interested in
fishing, wakeboarding, sailing or just sightseeing, there are plenty of
waterways ideal for boating activities across the country. In fact, 90
percent of Americans live within an hour's drive of navigable body of
water perfect for boating," said Carl Blackwell, vice president of
marketing and communications for Discover Boating. "We have
identified several waterways which provide boaters and their family and
friends with the opportunity to enjoy a recreational activity that they
can share throughout their lives."...
Discoverboating.com Adds Marinas & Ramps Section
[Boating
Industry (Online), 06/24/2008]
DiscoverBoating.com recently launched a Marinas & Ramps Directory
where consumers can find information such as phone numbers, addresses
and directions to marinas and ramps in their area by typing in a zip
code or street address, administrators reported in a Grow Boating
Update newsletter yesterday. All marinas are invited to create a free
listing on DiscoverBoating.com; no payment or membership is
required. The free basic listing will feature the marinas' name,
address, contact information and a map...
NMTA, Mariners Team Up To Promote Boating
[Soundings (Trade Only) (Online),
06/13/2008]
The Northwest Marine Trade Association has formed a new partnership
agreement with the Seattle Mariners baseball team and local Bayliner
dealer Olympic Boat Centers on a promotion aimed at growing boating in
the Pacific Northwest..."We are thrilled to bring the Discover
Boating message to more than 2 million Mariners fans this summer,"
said John Thorburn, NMTA's communications director, in a statement.
"Olympic Boat Centers and the Bayliner brand are tremendous partners in
this promotion and we look forward to building interest in boating in
the Northwest."..."DiscoverBoating.com really provides the tools
to introduce and educate visitors to the boating lifestyle," Thorburn
said. "We've been able to harness some of that material to engage
visitors at the Mariners' boat display that we hope peaks their interest
to learn more and go to the Web site." The display includes printed
materials that list the "5 Steps to Boat Ownership," a seven-day plan
outlined in the "Spousal Conversion Kit" and more...
Outbound Escapes
[Sacramento
Bee (Online), 06/26/2008]
By Genny Howe
...Women can take the helm with confidence and improve their boating
experience by learning how to dock and navigate boats at a free Women on
the Water class from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28 at Marine Max Riverbank
Store, 1371 Garden Highway, No. 150, Sacramento...Marty Willis of Marine
Max will lead the class, where participants can learn general boating
safety along with how to tie knots and use GPS systems. For more
information on boating: www.DiscoverBoating.com...
Boat Show Coverage
September Boat Shows
[Soundings (Trade Only), 06/01/2008]
...Sept. 5 - 7 Tampa Boat Show, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa,
Fla., National Marine Manufacturers Association. (954) 441-3220.
www.tampaboatshow.com...