For the first time in U.S. boating history, marine products manufacturers will spend millions of dollars promoting the benefits of recreational boating and boat ownership.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association's "Grow Boating" campaign and $12 million marketing blitz includes national advertising buys, direct mail and other initiatives that the industry hopes will connect with potential boaters whose free time is growing more fractionalized.
"Our goal is to make the two best days in a boater's life every Saturday and Sunday," said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, during a presentation to industry leaders at the recent Miami International Boat Show.
Yamaha, one of the largest marine product brands in the world, agreed to contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of the campaign. Yamaha is optimistic that the money spent will further the strategies the company launched internally to make boating more attractive for families.
"We have been engaged in promoting boating as a great family activity for a number of years now and we are gratified to see the entire boating industry joining us in this endeavor," said Mark Speaks, president of Yamaha WaterCraft. "There is plenty of evidence indicating that families that boat together are healthier, happier and more successful. Any parent that has been boating with their family understands what a great way this is to renew the ties that bind the family together."
Yamaha WaterCraft Group is one of the few companies in the boating industry enjoying double-digit growth and is a major voice behind the industry's Grow Boating campaign. To meet the needs of new entrants to the boating lifestyle, Yamaha offers new, fully featured family watercraft starting around $7,000.
According to federal studies looking at U.S. recreational trends, 65 million Americans reported that they go boating annually, and 28 million Americans reported that they ride personal watercraft.
Boating Industry Launches Marketing Campaign
Travis Boating Center
Travis Boating Center is one of the premier super stores for the best deals on boats in the United States. Travis Boating Center was founded and began by the man who was responsible for launching Bass Pro Shops – the premier store for everything outdoors. It seemed like a natural transition for him to also found a store that sold boats and everything associated with them since boats are used in fishing as well as for recreational purposes.
Exclusively carrying Tracker brand boats, Travis boating center was started back in the 1970’s and featured a “ready to fish” boat package that was unheard of in the industry at the time. Tracker boats have since become known as some of the best quality of boats that can be found today. Since its inception, Travis Boating Center has expanded their brand lines to include Nitro, Sun Tracker, and Tahoe, to name just a few.
Today, this is a national phenomenon growing by leaps and bounds every day. Inside the stores of Travis Boating Center, you’ll find the largest selection of boats all tailored to the regions that each store serves.
This great store, founded with a love of both fishing as well as boating offers the finest new and used boats at the best prices. They pride themselves on bringing service and selection together to offer boating enthusiasts the best boating package at the very best price.
Travis Boating Centers are located in many places concentrating mostly in the south and southeastern United States. They are especially concentrated in areas where boating is big such as Texas, California, and Florida. However, chances are very good that if you take the time to look, you will be able to find a boat dealer near you that carries Tracker boats which were developed by Travis Boating Center.
Travis Boating Centers are well-known for being heavy participants in boat shows all around the country. Because they have such great boat packages which usually include trailers as well as boating gear, they have a lot to offer at these shows.
They pride themselves on offering everything the avid boater needs no matter what activity the boat will be used for. Their staff is friendly and very knowledgeable as each employee must go through a rigorous training session where they learn everything that will help the consumer make a well-thought out decision on their boat purchase.
Whether you want to angle for sport fish, ski with family, or cruise to Margaritaville, look for a Travis Boating Center to get outfitted with the best boat around. When you become an owner of one of their fine boats, you will enjoy the results of founder Johnny Morris’ enduring vision: “Build a better boat, make it affordable and make it last.”
That’s what you’ll get from Travis Boating Center and Tracker boats.
What to look for in a boating insurance policy
When it comes to sailboats, yachts, or even fishing boats, you will want to consider that there are a lot of options. You will want to think about your individual boating needs and also think about ways that you may want to explore. It is something that you can do for fun and you’ll have plenty of pleasure in the sun and water. It doesn’t matter if you like to ski or even you are just a beginning sailor.
Just as boating enthusiasts differ in their boating preferences as well as in the way they use their vessels, boat insurance coverage options also differ, depending on the boat’s uses, it’s monetary value, and it’s importance to the owner.
You will find that there is a lot of options when it comes to insurance. You will want to think about just getting liability or full coverage. There are a lot of insurance options. Deciding on the right option, however, can be a tricky matter.
A boater who engages in speed boating, will most likely need a different type of coverage from the boater who enjoys pontooning, or the one who embarks only on brief fishing excursion, once or twice a summer.
There are some things that you’ll need to consider when it comes to boat insurance. You will want to keep in mind that there is a certain amount of money that you’ll need to invest in when it comes to keeping and operating the boat. You will find that there are many factors that will affect the amount of insurance that you need. You will find that if you have a lot of expensive equipment on board then you’ll need to carry more insurance. The less that you have invested in the boat the less insurance you will have to consider.
Summer Boating
When summer hits, there’s no better time to go boating on a nice, cool body of water. It’s also the time when hundreds of other boaters have the same idea that you do. Summer boating is great fun at a hot time of the year, but there are some things you’ll nee to take into consideration before you get your boat on the water.
First, remember that there will be many other boaters on the water at the same time as you. Brush up on the rules of the “road” and pay special attention to those around you. Remember when it’s safe to pass, how close you are allowed to get to another boat, and how to be courteous to others.
Summer is hot and when you are boating, you are in the sun most of the time. To avoid a nasty sunburn, use plenty of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 if not higher. Children should especially be protected with a good sunscreen as their delicate skin can burn quite easily.
Make sure that you stay well hydrated. In the hot weather, you lose fluid quite quickly. Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect and will deplete the fluids from your body much more quickly than naturally.
The weather can change in an instant, so when boating in the summer, be sure to pay close attention to the weather forecast. You certainly won’t want to be stuck 4 miles off shore when that freak summer storm hits. Don’t play games with the weather – especially in the summer. Your safety depends on it!
Pay special attention to your boat in the hot summer months. It’s hot outside and the engine is hot as well. Check the boat’s fluids often so that you don’t run the risk of the engine overheating leaving you stranded in the middle of the lake.
Even though it’s hot, you still need to wear your life jacket. This is especially true with children. Almost all drownings that occur become fatal because a person is thrown overboard and is not wearing a life jacket. A little discomfort from the heat is well worth paying the price when you consider you could be compromising your life.
Summer is definitely the best time of the year to go boating. As long as you keep your safety rules in mind, fun is just around the corner. Summer boating is also a great time to get your family together and enjoy a day on the water. What a way to beat the heat!