Media Tracking
Report
07/10/2008
Article Index
Archive
National Marine
Manufacturers Association Coverage
Boating Industry Taking On Water
As Housing Stagnates
[Mediapost (Online),
07/01/2008]
By Karl Greenberg
...Across the board, from kayaks to cabin cruisers, the industry is
seeing sharp declines in sales this year. "I don't think there's any
segment that won't be affected," says Thom Dammrich, president of the
Chicago-based industry trade group, the National Marine Manufacturers
Association (NMMA). "Basically, new boat registrations were
down about 20% for the quarter; 9% for a rolling 12-month basis, in
basically every category," he says. Dammrich says that the largest
segment of the market -- outboard-motor boats -- are suffering less than
other segments, but are still down by around 17% in the first quarter
versus the quarter last year. He says the second and third quarters are
the two biggest sales periods for boats...
EPA Publishes New Pleasurecraft Permit Proposal
[The
Log, 07/10/2008]
The Environmental Protection Agency published its brand new Clean Water
Act regulatory proposal in the June 17 Federal Register, detailing
extensive permit requirements for the nation's 18 million-plus
recreational boaters...The National Marine Manufacturers Association
answered the announcement with a statement of its own, saying the EPA's
Clean Water Act proposal unnecessarily creates a cumbersome, complex and
confusing permitting scheme for recreational boaters..."Now more man
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, president of the NMMA. "Boaters
everywhere must reach out to their state and local representatives and
ask that they support this key piece of legislation."...
A New
Security Measure Takes Aim At Recreational Boaters.
[Lakeland
Boating, 07/01/2008]
By Kathryn Swartz
Fearing the use of a small vessel to launch a terrorist attack, the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security has targeted the 80 million recreational
boaters who ply the nation's waterways. plan called the Small Vessel
Security Strategy (SVSS) is designed to increase awareness of potential
terrorists on board any boat weighing less than 300 tons...The SVSS,
unveiled at the American Boating Congress, has received support from the
National Marine Manufacturers Association. "The recreational
boating industry commends the Department of Homeland Security for
recognizing that small-vessel security strategy must strike the proper
balance between fundamental freedoms, adequate security and continued
economic stability," said NMMA president Thom Dammrich. "We know
that security will not be found in extreme measures that limit boaters'
rights, but working hand in hand with the Department of Homeland
Security will be an effective way of ensuring balance of national
security with the rights of recreational boaters to unobstructed access
to Americas."...
Taking Wind Out Of Sales
[Portland Press Herald (Online), 07/01/2008]
By Tom Bell
High fuel prices and worries about the economy are dragging down boat
sales in Maine, particularly mid-priced powerboats. The luxury market,
though, appears to be holding its own, and there is strong demand for
sailboats...But for the wealthy, fuel use is not a big concern. "The
high-end, more expensive boats are still continuing to sell," DiMillo
said. "The less expensive boats are struggling a little." The trends in
Maine mirror what's going on nationally. The number of powerboats sold
wholesale in 2007 declined 13 percent from 2006, and the dollar value
declined 8 percent, according to the National Marine Manufacturers
Association. The declines were not a surprise because they reflect
what's going on in the U.S. economy, said the association's president,
Thom Dammrich...
Knots So Fast: Gas Costs Anchor Boaters
[Chicago
Tribune,
07/05/2008]
By Emily S. Achenbaum and Ralph Zahorik
Bill Bouwens relaxed on his 36-foot express cruiser this week in
Waukegan Harbor, where his boat will stay docked a lot more often this
summer. That's the sacrifice Bouwens says he'll make because filling up
his 300-gallon tank costs a whopping $1,300 or more. Prices like those
are forcing Bouwens and others to rethink how they use their boats. For
many, it means sitting on the vessel while it remains in the harbor, or
picnicking at the marina instead of on the water...Carl Blackwell, a
spokesman for the Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers
Association, is in the business of telling people to live for their
boats. He loves his 28-foot powerboat, kept at Diversey Harbor, and the
way it makes him feel he's on vacation every time he steps aboard. But
even Blackwell said he isn't taking his boat out as far as he used to.
"I'm more conscious of gas prices this year, but it hasn't spoiled my
fun," Blackwell said. "I'll drive 2 miles, shut the engine off, and turn
on the radio. It's like I'm in a different world."
Brunswick To Cut Out 4 More Plants
[Chicago
Tribune, 06/27/2008]
By Mike Hughlett
Brunswick Corp.'s move Thursday to close four more plants and lay off up
to 2,700 workers underscores how a wobbly economy and soaring fuel
prices have clobbered the U.S. pleasure boat business...But pleasure
boats have been particularly hard hit because they are a discretionary
expense, she said. Unlike motorcycles, they're used almost solely for
recreation -- and for many boat owners -- they're used infrequently. "They
are entirely leisure products," Thompson said. And they are expensive
leisure products. The average outboard boat, motor and trailer cost a
combined $27,000 last year, said Jim Petru, director of industry
statistics and research for the National Marine Manufacturers
Association...
Boaters
Hit Water, But Skimp On Fuel
[Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review (Online), 07/05/2008]
By Emily Mullin
Increasing gas prices aren't keeping boats docked, but they are forcing
owners to revise their idea of a day on the water...Many are running the
engine less and putting down the anchor more. Kelly Kaylor, a
National Marine Manufacturers Association spokeswoman, said boat
owners are finding ways to conserve fuel. Some are spending more time
lounging on the dock or swimming. The association recently surveyed
2,400 boat owners and found that only 1 percent don't plan to use their
boats at all this season because of gas prices. "What we're hearing is
that people are still going out, they're just changing their habits,"
Kaylor said...Lauren Chorney, owner of the Rosston Eddy Marina near Ford
City, Armstrong County, said there has been a decline in gas sales, but
"there's as many boats in the water as ever." Chorney said people may
change how or how often they boat, but most aren't going to give up
their hobby completely. "Boating is a passion for people and if you have
the passion, you're going to find a way to boat," she said...
Diversification Boosts Business
[Fort Myers News-Press (Online), 06/29/2008]
By Laura Ruane
...Diversification "has been very good for us," said Bob Long, Marine
Concepts' co-owner and CEO. Total company sales were up 30 percent last
year over 2006, Long said, declining to give a dollar estimate.
Meanwhile, new-boat sales were down about 7 percent last year, after a 6
percent decline in 2006, according to the National Marine
Manufacturers Association...Although the boat-building industry has
down-shifted, it's hardly dead in the water, Long said. He noted: "The
overseas market has been very good for several of our customers." For
now, "people might not buy boats quite as often, but boaters will buy
boats," Long said. And, he sees an enduring market for watercraft with
"new features, better performance, better gasoline mileage."...
Discover Boating Coverage
Have A Gas On Water
[New
York Post, 06/29/2008]
By Ken Moran
...The Boat Owners Association of The United States (Boat U.S.) has some
tips that could help stretch your fuel dollars and take some of the
sting out of the cost: 1. Don't load the boat with weight you don't
need. Do a little cleaning. Get rid of unused equipment. 2. At 8.33
pounds per gallon, why keep the water in the tank topped off if you're
only going out for a few hours?...Also a big help to boaters and anglers
is the Web site www.DiscoverBoating.com. This site provides a
wealth of resources for boaters and anglers throughout the summer
season. Visit Discover Boating for the best places to view
fireworks from a boat, more fuel-saving tips, fishing destinations, how
to buy a boat and the type of boat that may fit your needs.
Discover Boating Names America's Top In-Water
Destinations For July 4 Fireworks Displays
[Riverside
Press Enterprise (CA) (Online), 07/01/2008]
With peak boating season underway, one of the most popular boating
holidays of the year is also on the horizon -- Independence Day. Many of
the approximately 71 million American boaters will mark the Independence
Day holiday aboard a boat. Likewise, millions of Americans from coast to
coast will search for the best spot to check out their local fireworks
display. In an effort to combine these two American pastimes,
Discover Boating, a national boating public awareness program, has
identified 10 of the top on-water destinations to view some of the
countries most elaborate fireworks displays...
Economy, Fuel Costs Have Many In Area's Sport Boat Industry Foundering
[San
Diego Union Tribune (Online), 07/05/2008]
By Ed Zieralski
...Discover Boating, the recreational
boating industry's national public awareness program, recently announced
the winning cities in its search for America's favorite boating
destinations in the categories of cruising, sailing, fishing and
watersports. Discover Boating polled approximately 200 top
industry experts and boating enthusiasts, including boating media,
marina operators, boat dealers and manufacturers found the insiders'
favorite locales from coast-to-coast...San Diego earned the top spot for
sailing. Discover Boating's reason: San Diegans know Mission Bay
as a boating and surfing haven, as the area offers miles of lively sandy
beaches and scenic blue waters. Mission Bay is the ideal location for
those looking to catch the wind and explore the picturesque bays of the
Pacific Coast...
The Perfect Summer Vacation Is Only An Hour Away
[Farm & Dairy
(OH), 06/05/2008]
...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, lakeboarding, 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 a 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."...
Boat Show Coverage
Press Releases: Boaters: Take The Waterfront Challenge Now
[Triton-Megayacht News (Online), 06/30/2008]
Interlux® Yacht Finishes is challenging boaters to take steps to help
improve their local waterfront – and giving them a $60,000 incentive to
do it. The Waterfront Challenge www.wfchallenge.com will award eight
grants of $5,000 to $25,000 to support grassroot efforts by boaters to
create sustainable waterfront environmental improvements in their
communities...Small groups - organized clubs, a group of friends, a
family – should apply now for grants to be awarded at the Miami
International Boat Show in February, 2009...