Bad year for boat sales
Ask any boat dealer and they'll tell you that 2007 was a bad year to be a boat dealer. Many fear that with fuel prices going up and a possible recession on the horizon, 2008 might even be worse.
Tournament fishermen who bought triple-engine go-fast rigs to chase kingfish can't afford to take the boats offshore. Performance boaters who own souped-up inboards to take on the poker run circuit can't pay for gas.
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, registrations for new powerboats fell 3 percent in the third quarter of 2007, or a total of 7 percent on the year. Jet-drive boats were the only segment of the market to see growth.
Things are even worse for manufacturers. Records show that new powerboat shipments fell at twice the rate of new registrations.
But NMMA president Thom Dammrich is optimistic. He thinks the industry will rebound in the latter part of 2008.
In the meantime, people are looking for inexpensive ways to recreate on the water. As boat sales drop, don't be surprised to see an increase in the sale of sea kayaks, canoes, boardsailors and kite surfers. There are lots of great ways to get out and have fun on the water without spending an arm and leg.
Pick up a fishing rod and head to your local pier or seawall. Put on a pair of old tennis shoes and wade the flats. Keep an eye on this blog, our Web site and the pages of Gulf & Bay in the months to come for ideas for your next adventure.
Looking for a great day hike for your toddler? How about a romantic paddle to a barrier island with your sweetheart? Planning to buy a backpacking tent but don't know where to start? Find the answers to these and other questions when you take a walk on the "Wild Side" with St. Petersburg Times Outdoors Editor Terry Tomalin, who has traveled the globe for the past 20 years looking for adventure.
Yes.2007 is really worse for the boat dealers as the fuel prices gone up.Its hard to come up.
Posted by: Franklin | July 30, 2008 at 12:39 AM