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Recession Can't Keep Maine Boaters Off the Water

May 27, 2009 - SOUTH FREEPORT -- The start of the 2009 boating season in Maine presents a classic case of good news versus bad news.

The good news is obvious. Summer is just around the corner, and boats are making their way from winter storage on dry land back into the water where they belong.

A bonus is that fuel prices, though they've risen in recent weeks, are not expected to reach last year's extreme highs.

The bad news can be summed up in one word: recession.

Whether the stagnating economy actually puts a damper on the boating season depends on each boater's particular situation.

While a layoff might prompt one boater to forgo the expenses involved with commissioning, launching and using a boat, another might think just the opposite, taking advantage of the newfound spare time and spending more of it on the water.

A quick glance at South Freeport Harbor last Sunday made me wonder if the boating season is off to a slow start. But looks can be deceiving.

While there were a lot of empty moorings, there are also a lot of boats waiting to go in. The weather the last couple of weekends has not been the best for tasks like bottom painting and hull waxing, and some of my fellow boaters have said they just need to wrap up a few projects before they launch.

With Memorial Day just around the corner, yards are busy launching boats this week, so the harbors should begin to fill up. And those boats that don't go in before Memorial Day will probably hit the water by early June.

At least one marina operator remains optimistic about the upcoming season. Rob Soucy, president of Port Harbor Marine, says requests for dockage and service remain strong. While there is always some attrition among seasonal dock holders, it's no worse than usual at any of his company's facilities in Casco Bay, on Sebago Lake and in Bucksport.

So how does boating survive in a struggling economy? It all comes down to priorities.

"For a lot of our customers, it's a part of their lifestyle – the desire for boating never goes away," Soucy said. "We are very spoiled here with respect to access to water and the type of boating that's going on. People from out of state come up here and say, 'Wow, this is a lot better than where I am from.'"

In other words, a lot of Maine boaters treasure their boating season and will find a way to make it happen. It might mean doing more of the commissioning work themselves instead of hiring it out. Perhaps the purchase of a new sail or piece of equipment is put off for a year. Or instead of motoring to a destination 40 miles up or down the coast for the weekend or trailering a boat to Moosehead Lake, they'll stay close to home.

Soucy's optimism reflects findings in a nationwide survey. Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) reported in a membership survey released last week that 96 percent of respondents said the economic downturn would not cause them to stop using their boat this summer.

While some boaters are seeing their boating activities curtailed, most remain positive about their boating plans for this summer.

"This year, despite the economy, our members are largely optimistic and are determined to make good use of their boats," said BoatUS President Nancy Michelman.

Some respondents indicated they may change the way they use their boats by selecting destinations closer to home, reducing the number of boating trips/days, anchoring out more or sharing costs. More than a quarter said they would sacrifice dining out or even postpone a vacation to continue to afford boating.

So let's hope that Maine boaters don't let the economy get them down. There's nothing like a day on the water to help make your cares go away – even if it's just for a little while.

And if you know of someone whose boat is stuck on dry land due to the economy, invite them aboard for a day or a weekend. They'll thank you, and you'll make some great memories.

GAIL RICE, Portland Press Herald, May 21, 2009


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