INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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NATCHEZ ON THE WATER FRONT
M
arinas are continuing to go through an evolutionary
process dealing with numerous desires, challenges constraints and opportunities, all of which make for a dynamic environment. This is truer in today’s environment than perhaps at any point in the last 30 years.
Changing Demographics: Recreational boating was once perceived as the rich man’s playground, with only the wealthiest of families enjoying boating and the exclusive yacht club regattas. 50 or so years ago this changed, with lots of smaller and/or more affordable boats coupled with growing disposable income fueling boating’s great
54 FORE & AFT DECEMBER 2016
Trends - Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges
expansion and democratization through the mid to late twentieth century. Following the relatively recent worldwide economic downturns two things have happened:
Boats have continued to become more and more expensive; and Economic uncertainties and other family pressures have shrunk the younger population of boaters.
It was not too long ago that the trend was for recreational boats in the 30 to 40 foot range.
Today it seems the typical demand is more in larger (including much larger) and smaller boats. The average age of mariners
today is getting much older, while the younger adults and youth are not coming into boating at the same rates they once were. For a multitude of reasons,
today’s boaters also have less time, demand better products, seek instantaneous gratification and have an air of entitlement with little to no patience for breakdowns, mechanical or other problems (even when self-created or inflicted). With these trends towards both larger and more expensive boats together with the changing demographics, and demanding approaches, come many demands on marinas.
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