Author: WaterSportsFoundation

Video: Uniform Waterway Marking Systems – BoatOnCourse.com

Boat On Course, educational boating safety videos from the National Safe Boating Council, teach the basic navigation rules of boating. In this video, boaters will learn about information and regulatory markers along our waterways. These alert boaters to hazards, restricted areas, operating restrictions, swim zones, or they could provide directions and information.

Video: Understanding Aids to Navigation – BoatOnCourse.com

Boat On Course, educational boating safety videos from the National Safe Boating Council, teach the basic navigation rules of boating. In this video, boaters will learn frequent aids to navigation they will encounter on the water, and how these can help you enjoy your day on the water with confidence.

Water Sports Foundation Launches New “National Boating Safety Media Center” as Part of Media Outreach Campaign

As part of a U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Outreach Grant, the Water Sports Foundation (WSF) has just completed the first phase and launch of its new “National Boating Safety Media Center” which is designed to facilitate and support the work of journalists assigned to cover boating safety topics.

Three young people in life jackets jump off a boat into a lake, smiling and holding hands. Text reads, “U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics, 2019 Data, Published June 2020.” Trees and blue sky are in the background.

Recreational Boating Statistics 2019

Boating Statistics 2019, the 61st annual report, contains statistics on recreational boating accidents and state vessel registration. This publication is a result of the coordinated effort of the Coast Guard and those states and territories that have Federally-approved boat numbering and casualty reporting systems.

NRBSS Exposure Survey Final Report, October 2020

This report focuses on boat ownership and use, different estimates of exposure (e.g., person hours of boating), and risk ratios.

Infographic showing data on the U.S. offshore fishing boat market in 2019, featuring a map, a photo of a fishing boat, and statistics such as total fleet size, average boat age, purchase rates, and buyer demographics.

Info-link: U.S. Offshore Fishing Boat Market Snapshot

Offshore Fishing Boats are 27’ and larger fiberglass boats generally used for deep water fishing. They are most commonly multi engine outboard powered center consoles, typically found in coastal areas with ocean access. The category has achieved impressive growth over the last ten years and has decidedly favored ever larger boats.

Grant Headifen

Grant Headifen is the Global Director of Education for NauticEd, a state-of-the-art sailing education organization featuring an e-learning theory curriculum for sailing knowledge and a practical on-the-water skills training program through a global network of instructors.

Video: Designated Sober Skipper – Family

Designate a Sober Skipper before leaving the dock who will be responsible for passengers and vessel. Support the Designated Skipper Campaign in your area.

Video: Designated Sober Skipper – Friends

Designate a Sober Skipper before leaving the dock who will be responsible for passengers and vessel. Support the Designated Skipper Campaign in your area.

Photos: Sober Skipper Program

Photos showing various aspects of the Sea Tow Foundation’s Sober Skipper program.

Sober Skipper

The US Coast Guard has reported that Boating Under the Influence is a major problem on our nation’s waterways, yet it is 100% preventable. The Sober Skipper Program strives to eliminate BUI injuries and fatalities by encouraging boaters to “Take the Pledge” to be or to designate a Sober Skipper before leaving the dock or […]

Infographic about the U.S. Runabout Market showing a map with boat locations, statistics on boat numbers, purchases, scrap rate, boat age, and buyer demographics for 2019.

Info-link: U.S. Runabout Market Snapshot

Runabouts are fiberglass outboard and stern drive boats between 16’ and 21’ in length. Popular with entry level boaters and used for general recreation, they are found in both salt and freshwater environments. They are frequently referred to as bowriders. New runabout sales have been slow to recover from the 2008 downturn, but there is a very large pre-owned market for these boats.

Operation Dry Water

Operation Dry Water (ODW) is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign. Operation Dry Water’s heightened awareness and enforcement three-day weekend takes place annually around July fourth, a holiday unfortunately known for drinking and boating, and deadly incidents.

Infographic on the U.S. Coastal/Inshore Fishing Boat Market shows stats for 21-26 ft fiberglass boats: 387,000 total boats, 53% purchased recently, 5,000 average scrap rate, 15-year average age, and buyer demographics for 2019.

Info-link: U.S. Coastal/Inshore Fishing Boat Market

Coastal/Inshore Fishing Boats are fiberglass, primarily outboard, boats between 21’ and 26’ in length that are typically configured in a center console or walkaround style. They are used for near coastal and inshore fishing and are frequently equipped with two engines.

Infographic of the U.S. Flats/Bay Fishing Boat Market shows a U.S. map with red dots, statistics on boat fleet size, purchases, average boat age, buyer types, and a small silhouette of people fishing at sunset.

Info-link: U.S. Flats/Bay Fishing Boat Market Snapshot

Flats/Bay Fishing Boats are fiberglass boats between 16’ and 20’ in length and are usually powered by a single outboard engine. They are most commonly a center console configuration with low freeboard and are used for fishing and general recreation in protected waters.

Infographic shows U.S. freshwater fishing boat market data, with a U.S. map of registered boats, stats on fleet size, average boat age, purchase rates, and 2019 purchase and ownership percentages.

Info-link: U.S. Freshwater Fishing Boat Market Snapshot

Freshwater Fishing Boats are higher content aluminum or fiberglass boats purpose built for fishing, primarily on inland lakes and rivers. This category does not include jon boats which are low content. Freshwater fishing boats represent approximately 20% of all registered powerboats in the US.

Info-link: U.S. Pontoon Boat Market Snapshot

Pontoon Boats are multi-hull aluminum boats used for both fishing and general recreation, predominantly on inland lakes and rivers. The pontoon boat category has consistently gained in popularity over many years. Today the segment accounts for more than 25% of the entire new powerboat market in the US.

Info-link: U.S. PWC Market

PWC (Personal Watercraft) are the motorcycle of the marine world, powered by jet propulsion, and are less than 14’ in length. They are quite prolific across the country in both salt and freshwater environments and frequently sold in pairs. PWCs are sometimes referred to as jet skis and can carry up to three passengers on larger models.