Recreational boating isn't just a leisurely pastime, it's a drive for the local economy.
So says the new results of a 2010 survey on Massachusetts recreational boating, carried out by the University of Massachusetts at Boston and a public-private partnership group called the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership.
Other than the areas most frequently visited, there aren't very many specific results for the Cape Ann shoreline, due to the meager amount of local survey participants. The survey did find, however, the estimated amount of how much money was pumped into the local Massachusetts economy is seen at $806 million for the 2010 boating season.
Some Cape Ann marinas are not necessarily feeling the findings.
The survey asked a random selection of recreational boaters found on two databases — The Massachusetts Boat Registration and the U.S. Coast Guard Documented Vessel — to participate and offer information, including the routes they take, the kind of boats they own, and the reasons they go out on the water. The survey also collected information on the boaters' ages and how many of them have taken a boating safety course.
An estimated 150,000 boaters were chosen to take the survey, and about 10,000 responded.
According to the Ocean Partnership, the economic contribution to the state from Massachusetts recreational saltwater boating trips by boaters of the state from May through October supported more than 4,700 jobs.
"It (the survey) looks at both direct and indirect spending," said Kimberly Starbuck, project manager at MOP.
The survey took into account trip-related expenses such as buying gas for boats, purchasing groceries for outings, and launch fees. And on top of it all, the $806 million doesn't include boat sales or the impact of out-of-state boaters.
But does any of this reflect economic growth in the industry for Cape Ann?
"I think people that have boats are using them more," said Mac Donaldson, general manager of Manchester Marine in Manchester. "Unfortunately, I don't think that translates into growth or people buying more boats. And it's due to some combination of the economy and fuel prices."
Skip Crocker, owner of Crocker's Boat Yard in Manchester, said his customers are getting older. "It's one of the concerns of the industry, that less young people are getting into boats," he said.
According to Dave Kellam, communications manager at Massachusetts Ocean Partnership, the study was not designed to answer whether or not there is growth in the recreational boating industry.
"But now that the research method has been developed, we hope to repeat the study in another year or two," he said. "And then we can look at changes that happened in boating between the two points in time to answer that question."
According to Starbuck, the most active boating traffic areas around Cape Ann are close to the shoreline and activity drops off quickly as you move offshore. "Specific areas that are busy include Salem Sound, the entrance to Merrimack River, and Essex and Ipswich Bays," she said.
"On average, boaters went out on the water six days per month," said Nick Napoli, director of Marine Planning Programs in accordance with the survey, which was distributed by the University of Massachusetts Boston's Urban Harbors Institute and the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership, together with Marine Consulting Services and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management.
"This baseline information will allow us to better understand the social and economic importance of ocean waters to recreational users and coastal communities," said Napoli. "Information from the people who are using the ocean is vital for making good planning decisions."
Some Cape Ann boating industry officials say they're already seeing boats making choices.
"Recreational boating seems to be on the decline due to the economy," said Randy Brown, dockmaster at Cape Ann Marina. "But I'm hoping that it's leveling out."
The survey helped generate a map of the most commonly used boating routes around the state. Cape Ann, with its various marinas and recreational boaters, naturally drew the thin blue lines marking the popular routes into a blue blur around the coast.
In the future, the survey methodology can be modified to gather additional recreational boating information on specific geographic areas, including the Cape Ann region.
But for now, Tobin Dominick, vice president of Cape Ann Marina, said, "It's too early in the season to know and it all has a lot to do with weather, but we're tracking pretty consistently with last year."
Jesse Poole can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3447, or at gt_reporter@gloucestertimes.com.
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