This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................


INTERNATIONAL NEWS


For designers and manufacturers it means more functional and attractive designs with fewer problems, failures and breakdowns. The boating public’s, and


especially new boaters’, perspective is significantly more demanding and has less patience for problems. Worse is that when the quarter of a million dollar boat does not start, has other engine problems, or the thru-hull fittings leak, the new boating public becomes intolerant and sells the boat. It also appears that the average length of time in boating is becoming much shorter. The boating population is basically of two components: a) those who have been in boating for some time and are continuing (and that pool is growing older and shrinking); and b) those who have never been in boating or not for a long time. The new population is even more demanding and has high expectations in terms of use and enjoyment. When these are compromised, the desire to stay in boating is dramatically challenged. While this may also be true for other pursuits and industries, the recreational marine industry still seems to be searching for meaningful ways of attracting and keeping boaters. The classical music industry is also suffering from an ageing population coming to events, escalating prices and changing demographics. They have reacted with numerous initiatives, including steeply discounted tickets ranging from $10 to $25 for advance purchase and 50% at the box office for students and those under 26. For even younger audiences there are many free or


low priced events. While the hole that classical music needs to dig itself out from is particularly deep, the early response to these types of initiatives has been dramatic. Boat manufacturers will laud


their having improved the quality of their boats. And while the total number of warrantee issues may be improving, the industry still has a long way to go – and boating still is suffering from breakdowns due to minor to major issues. And in the newer boat owner’s psyche, it is almost not relevant whether it is minor or major. They hate it, cannot use the boat, and it does not take much to have them decide to sell it.


and check out the boat – make sure it is working, batteries are charged, fuel and water tanks are full, and, if desired, clean it and/or provide provisions. Some may charge for all or a portion of the service, others may not. But the effect is to enhance the boating experience and make the boater feel special, and most importantly - help the boater to enjoy a desirable time boating. Given the amount of time that boats increasingly sit unused, this type of service becomes that much more valuable. Nothing is worse than showing up for an afternoon out on the boat with friends or family and having those plans sunk by a dead battery. The easier and the more fun the boating experience, the better and longer lasting the positive impression of boating, and that makes one think of boating more often. I realize that some of us who


The costs of entry and use for boating are rising much faster than inflation. Low cost entry level boats are scarce. And the boating industry needs to continue to seek ways of attracting new boaters. Many facilities are now


offering a new type of concierge service. Boaters call up, send an email, text or otherwise communicate with the facility when they will be coming to use their boat and the facility will go


have been in boats for a while actually enjoy the ‘hassle’ of getting the boat ready, tinkering with components, working on the boat, and putting the boat to bed. But that population and mentality is fast fading. In part that may be fading as fewer kids are exposed to that kind of tinkering – whether at home or in school. They may run circles around us older folk when it comes to software, and they may know something about taking apart a computer, but chances are they have not taken a shop class and probably never even changed the oil on a car. Is it any wonder that the thought of keeping a boat running is seen as too frightening? There is of course also the fact that many boats today are more intimidating than they used to be. Packing all the extra stuff into a boat often makes


JUNE 2017 FORE & AFT 51


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68