Recreational boating has become hugely popular all throughout the United States. As a matter of fact, recreational boating has actually been quite popular in the United States for some time now, but has only continued to grow with the passage of time. As a matter of fact, the economic impact of the industry surrounding recreational boating is certainly a large one, more than $121 billion as of the current date. This means that more than 600,000 American jobs are created and supported a year through this industry, both direct ones as well as indirect ones. As many as 35,000 small businesses are supported through the industry of boating as well.
There are many reasons that boating has become so popular. For one thing, navigable bodies of water are only an hour’s drive away for more than 90% of the American population (for up to 95% of them, as a matter of fact). For many people, getting to a navigable body of water is hugely doable, making enjoying said body of water all the easier to do as well. Boating is also much more accessible in terms of price and overall cost than you might think. While we might assume that boating is an activity that is predominantly participated in by the rich, this is actually not the case. Currently, more than 70% (around 72%, to again be a little more specific) of all boaters have a total household income that is no higher than a yearly $100,000. This makes boating a largely middle class activity and even an activity that is popular among those who fall beneath that middle class classification and threshold.
After all, there are many different types of boats out there and some will be far more affordable than others, of this there is no doubt. Consider, for instance, pontoon boats for sale. Pontoon boats for sale can provide a great, cost effective option for recreational boating. And these pontoon boats for sale, from pontoon boats for sale in Michigan to pontoon boats for sale in Wisconsin and beyond, can be found all throughout the country. Even used boats for sale are frequently obtainable in many parts of the United States, further making boating more and more cost effective.
Pontoon boats for sale have become particularly popular for those interested in recreational boating. It is important to mention, however, that these pontoon boats for sale will never go particularly fast. Even with just one person and no one else on the boat, the typical pontoon boat will typically not be able to exceed even just 31 miles per hour – and this is under ideal conditions as well. Fortunately, pontoon boats for sale are not used for speed but instead for purposes of more casual boating. As they can hold as many as 11 people at one time (though this will vary among different types of pontoon boats, of course), they are typically used for more casual purposes. And it’s a good thing too, as a full pontoon boat will typically only go around 22 miles per hour, at least if it has a 115 hp engine, as many pontoon boats for sale do.
In addition to pontoon boats for sale, fishing boats for sale are also frequently purchased. This is thanks to the fact that fishing is a popular past time here in the United States, one in which many people of all different ages and backgrounds can participate in. Going fishing is a great way to take a break from the stresses of your day to day life, something that can be difficult to do. But taking the time – and the patience, as fishing is far from a fast process – to go do something like going fishing is something that can benefit you immensely at the end of the day, of this there is very little doubt.
Ultimately, there is no doubting the fact that the boating industry is a very popular and important one here in the United States, and one that will only grow more and more important with the passage of time. From pontoon boats for sale to fishing boats for sale, there are many ways to enjoy recreational boating.
