THE HARBOR COLUMN:Fishing can lead to boating

Ahoy.

This week the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation released a new study showing the correlation between boating and fishing to the boating market. A national telephone survey asks respondents about their early experiences with fishing and boating, current nautical activities, and much more. Three market segments were evaluated, which are the boater who only boats, the angler who only fishes, and the boating angler who fishes and goes boating on our waterways.

The findings reveal what I have been stating for years that both fishing and boating are strong family recreational activities, as 63.8% of the boating anglers and boaters only enjoy the activities with their families, and followed by friends at 30.5%. Another important finding is that 59.7% of the responses stated that their fishing and boating experiences were important in influencing how they look at the environment.

“We know that fishing motivates many people to get out on the water in a boat. We also know that half of all boats sold are used primarily for fishing, with another quarter for occasional fishing,” said Thom Dammrich, National Marine Manufacturers Assn. president and Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation board chairman. “These two activities and their futures are strongly linked and RBFF [the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation] has done a terrific job in getting its boating and fishing stakeholders to work together to create a brighter future for both.”

A not so striking finding is that 71.1% of those who only go boating do so for cruising and sightseeing. I would be interested in knowing the number or percentage of boaters in Newport Harbor who use their vessels for simply relaxing while dockside. Next time you are cruising in the harbor, you should pay attention to the people enjoying their vessels at dock, and at night how many people are onboard simply watching TV.

There is a bilge full of statistics and findings — too many to list in my column — so I recommend www.rbff.org for the full study in addition to the focus group results, a “Quick Facts” document and PowerPoint presentation of top line results.

The happening of the week is to bring the family, neighbors, friends and your marine mammals to our live radio broadcast from the 34th annual Newport Boat Show at noon this Saturday. This is the States’ largest in-water boat west of Florida, and I highly recommend that you use the free parking and free shuttle bus.

Our broadcast tent and band is located on the cobblestone streets in Lido Marina Village, where no boat show ticket is needed to join in. We might give out a few pairs of tickets to those who show up, and for those worried about rain, have no fear — I predict no rain on Saturday.

As a treat, Jimmy U, proprietor of the Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant, has promised to have samples of his great food for the audience. It is going to be difficult hosting my radio show with a mouth full of appetizers, but I will chew fast.

Preston Smith will provide live music starting at 11:30 a.m. and concluding around 1:30 p.m. Also, Smith and his band will play during each radio show’s commercial break.

Lastly, as I mentioned last week, the AAA Great Battery Roundup. Elaine Beno with the Automobile Club will be at our booth handing out fliers Saturday.

I expect to see you at the Newport Boat Show and stop by to say “Hi” to Chandler and myself.

Also, next Friday is the start of the Newport-to-Ensenada race, and I will be announcing at Lookout Point above Big Corona.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating radio talk show in the nation, “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. on KLAA-AM (830). Join me with my motley crew, Chandler Bell and Eric Hovland, as we talk about “all things boating.”

Safe voyages.