The Harbor Column -- Mike Whitehead
Ahoy.
Boating is the No. 1 way to spend quality family time, according to a
national survey conducted in May by the Recreational Boating and Fishing
Foundation.
A surprising 35% of American adults responded that boating and fishing
top the list and are followed by: playing team sports at 21%; watching
television at 18%; going to the movies at 16%; and playing computer games
at 4%.
Of those surveyed, 90% believe that their stress level is reduced and
87% feel a very positive effect on family relationships by boating and
fishing.
The survey asked adults nationwide what leisure activity is the best
way to spend quality family time.
The survey shows that people are participating in outdoor activities
and that people love to be close to nature. Boating and fishing outranked
other sports such as golf and tennis, and it is estimated that more than
half of the respondents had been boating in the last two years.
I think that boating in general is coming out of adolescence, shedding
the old beliefs that you must leave all the comforts of home at the docks
and only the very wealthy can afford a boat with yacht club membership.
The boat designers have for years ignored women and comfort, unlike
the home designers who have for years designed for comfort and the one in
the family with the veto power.
Luxury, homelike furnishings -- without breaking the piggy bank -- are
very apparent in the new boat models that have something to appeal to
everyone in the family with satellite TV to the microwave to the fishing
cockpit. The trend for years has been shifting from sailboats to
powerboats because of the luxury afforded by the layout of most
powerboats.
However, the sailing industry has made remarkable strides to reverse
the trend with well-appointed vessels and the decrease in the labor of
love of recreational sailing.
High-tech is reaching into the yachts, too, with Cat 5 computer
network cabling now replacing the standard cabling, allowing an easier
interfacing of electronics. Internet and e-mail access speeds are
becoming more popular as access prices come down and the uplink speeds
increase. This allows you to stay in touch with the world or work as you
cruise the coastline, wondering what lies ahead at your next anchorage.
Our harbors have seen the impact of the popularity of boat ownership
as the supply and demand have increased slip rental prices to an all-time
high. Marinas usually follow a standard design guideline when determining
the size and quantity of slips to build out.
The new trend that I think will start being reflected in the
guidelines is to increase the standard of vessel size. I am noticing that
boat buyers are making the jump up in vessel length as the price points
do not differ that greatly. Additionally, a larger boat offers more space
to include friends and allow more comforts of home to be at your
fingertips.
There will always be the difference of opinion between those who want
access and the use of the waterways and those who want to limit access to
the waterways.
I am excited that boating is the most popular family recreational
activity, and that in Southern California, with our mild climate, boating
is a year-round family activity.
Studies have shown that boaters are the least likely to pollute or
harm the waterways since they have firsthand and vested interests in the
water quality.
Fourth of July week is here, so enjoy and be safe out there.
Insurance changes
The Longshore & Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act enacted in 1927 was
never intended to affect the recreational vessel servicing industry like
the ones in Newport Harbor with the additional burden of extra insurance
coverage.
The act states that anyone servicing vessels 65 feet and over on the
navigable waters of the U.S. must have additional insurance that is
typically two or three times the cost of regular worker’s compensation
insurance.
Finally, Ric Keller (R-Fla.) has introduced the Recreational Marine
Employment Act to exempt recreational vessel service businesses from this
antiquated act. This will take the excessive burden off the small
businesses that make up the majority of this service industry, and most
local businesses are probably not even aware of this law.
Tell your representative to support Keller’s efforts.
Safe voyages.
* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send him
your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions via e-mail
to o7 Mike@BoathouseTV.comf7 or o7 BoathouseTV.comf7 .
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