Americans Sound Miserable, But Are Buying Lots of Boats

Saturday, September 02, 2023

Spending on pleasure boats continues to hover near remarkable highs.

Posted by LampLighter at 09:31 AM | 20 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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More from the article...

... By the way: Before you cynics jump down our throats, Axios' Joann Muller, who's reported in depth on the trend, says this isn't just about the rich.

"It's not the yacht-owning one-percenters responsible for America's booming boat economy," she wrote in June. "Rather, it's the vast numbers of regular folks fishing, water-skiing, sailing and jet-skiing, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association." ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2023-09-01 03:24 PM | Reply

Let me guess the top 10% of America have enough money to buy new boats?

#2 | Posted by Tor at 2023-09-01 03:40 PM | Reply

More like top 25% It's not all that expensive if you don't want it to be.

#3 | Posted by TaoWarrior at 2023-09-01 03:48 PM | Reply

Boats are great if you use them enough. Most boats here just sit on trailers in people driveways. Not that they don't buy them anyway.

#4 | Posted by REDIAL at 2023-09-01 04:36 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

There's a lot better ways to spend money than in a boat.

I prefer rivers and streams anyway. Rafting is better and cheaper.

#5 | Posted by horstngraben at 2023-09-01 04:47 PM | Reply

I've watched the boats of two different neighbors rot from lack of use.

I'd rather rent a jet ski.

#6 | Posted by Tor at 2023-09-01 05:37 PM | Reply

The article got my curiosity going.

Here's one thing I found...

Boat Ownership Statistics Overview
blog.gitnux.com

... 72% of American boat owners have an annual household income less than $100,000.

This statistic is a telling indication of the financial realities of boat ownership in America. It suggests that the majority of boat owners are not part of the upper echelons of society, but rather are everyday people who are making boat ownership a part of their lives. This statistic is an important reminder that boat ownership is accessible to a wide range of people, regardless of their income level. ...

Fishing is the leading on-water activity enjoyed by boaters, with 34.5 million participants in 2020. ...

(references are supplied in the footnote of the blogpost. ....

Lots of other quite interesting stats in that article.

#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2023-09-01 07:34 PM | Reply

There are about 22 million millionaires in the United States. That can buy a lot of boats.

www.zippia.com

#8 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2023-09-02 10:48 AM | Reply

Foolish to buy a new boat when there are so many good used ones on the market. [at least sailing vessels]:

www.sailboatlistings.com<>

#9 | Posted by MSgt at 2023-09-02 01:21 PM | Reply

Is it just big boats with motors? If you include kayaks, then it totally makes sense. You can buy a kayak for 100 bucks.

#10 | Posted by TFDNihilist at 2023-09-02 01:44 PM | Reply

The two happiest moments about owning a boat are (1) when you buy it and (2) when you sell it.

#11 | Posted by Robson at 2023-09-03 11:08 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

"Boat Ownership Statistics Overview"

I don't think I've read a poorer article. Who wrote that, a mentally challenged bot?

#12 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2023-09-03 02:17 PM | Reply

Any excuse to dig a hole in the ocean to dump money into it. It's almost as bad as buying timeshares

#13 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2023-09-03 03:59 PM | Reply

Boats are great if you use them enough. Most boats here just sit on trailers in people driveways. Not that they don't buy them anyway.

#4 | POSTED BY REDIAL

Boats are just the newest status symbol.

It used to be pools. Now it's boats.

I find both a giant waste of money and time.

#14 | Posted by jpw at 2023-09-04 12:35 AM | Reply

It used to be pools. Now it's boats.

No pools here. Usual progression is giant pickup, 2 ATVs, 2 Sleds, giant 5th wheel camper trailer, then boat.

#15 | Posted by REDIAL at 2023-09-04 12:46 AM | Reply

A good way to find out if you really want, need, and will care for a boat is to join a boat club, check out different types of boats and figure out if this is for you. Owning a boat can become an outrageously expensive pastime.

#16 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2023-09-04 05:15 AM | Reply

DOC

A wealthy man I knew many years ago (in the thoroughbred horse business) told me that the two happiest days of his life were (1) when he bought the boat and (2) when he sold the boat. The endless cost for the upkeep and on-board staff were his main reasons. He said he got more bang for the buck watching his horses win races.

#17 | Posted by Twinpac at 2023-09-04 05:38 AM | Reply

TWINPAC
LOL. The nags may eat boatloads, but the boats eat more.

#18 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2023-09-04 06:41 AM | Reply

DOC

It was more like the nags earn money running ~~ the boat eats money standing still.

#19 | Posted by Twinpac at 2023-09-04 06:57 AM | Reply

Lol

#20 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2023-09-04 07:23 AM | Reply