The Not Quite Post Pandemic Era – What to Do to Jump Start Boating

The pandemic has definitely changed the world and resulted in some kind of new normal for most of us – albeit a normal that keeps changing. The good news is that following the near total lockdown of this past spring, recreational boating has largely reopened throughout the world – for continuing, returning and new boaters, though the specific rules and approach differs depending upon localities. The water is still mystical and inviting, and has its own power to heal the pandemic’s everyday thoughts and concerns.

In this not quite post pandemic era there are many ways to help jump start recreational boating, but the key of course was simply being able to open. Once that hurdle was crossed, a number of things started falling into place.

A New Normal
Social distancing is the norm today and large gatherings are problematic at best and infectious at worst. Social events, camps, concerts, schools, and numerous other activities have been cancelled or closed down. Trips abroad or cross-country, especially by plane, have largely been cancelled. But the new normal has also created a desire to end the feelings of isolation and confinement, and to get out and find safe avenues of enjoyment.

Some of the trends that are apparent are that many people have left urban areas for more removed locations, whether it be to second homes, actually moving, or just renting cabins for vacations. Significant portions of the population are now working from home and looking for ways to “escape the pent up feeling” and “find relaxation.”

Getting out on the water is a super avenue and is being seized upon. As put by a Florida woman quoted in a recent New York Times article on the state of boating in the pandemic, who had just gone out this May and bought her first ever boat (a Tiara Sport 38 LS – not too shabby for a first boat), “If you go to an island, it seems like there’s no coronavirus. And the boat itself is like an island.

You’re separated from the stress of life.” People are looking for escape, and boat sales since the lockdown for the most part have been booming. The same is true for the RV industry – with many dealers noting sold-out inventories and long waiting lists.

Many are taking funds set aside for family vacations and trips and using them to enter or go bigger into boating, whether it be to buy or rent.

And people are looking for the marinas to be clean, safe, friendly and providing amenities ranging from sales to rentals to service. The friendlier the staffs are the more people are utilizing their services. Marinas are using the web and social media in an increasing manner to entice people back to boating and let people know how they are keeping their facility clean and safe, including the use of rentals. A picture is worth a thousand words and action pictures of enjoyment are now being widely used and continually being updated with new ones, whether photos of folks sitting in the stern of a boat having a snack or drink, to tubing, to sailing through the waves, to a skier or wakeboarder, to catching the one that did not get away. Providing those pictures to the local paper and media can further add to the exposure and help bring old and new customers into your facility.

Service Changes
While the traditional regional and national boat shows for new and used boats have most all been cancelled, including most recently and notably the sudden cancellation of September’s Cannes Yachting Festival as well as November’s Metstrade 2020 in Amsterdam, the marinas and dealers have come up with alternatives ranging from virtual shows with inventory being more prominently displayed as well as with detailed descriptions and pictures and arranging safe by appointment only local boat showings. The response suggests these efforts have been extremely effective. Those who offer rentals from jet skis to kayaks, sailboats, pontoons, houseboats, fishing boats and all sorts of other craft big and small not only are displaying their offerings but also communicating that the units are cleaned and made safe after each use, giving one a sense of security for using a fun outlet. And the rental market in many areas has also taken off. Again the emphasis is clean and safe, and by appointment only is stressed.

Some marinas have offered free start-up checks for their customers, making sure the boats start and are fully operational after putting them in the water. As one marina operator said, “It is amazing how well this has gone over in getting owners back into their boats.” Others have offered various online or call in advance provisioning options, from nominal to full meals, depending upon the facility’s resources and customer desires. Deep cleaning and disinfecting services have become popular offerings at many marinas.

Again the emphasis is making it safe, easy and inviting to go boating. What people are seeking is that boating is offering a way of getting out for a fun change of pace as well as a family activity. The trend has been a significant increase in boats sales across the board in almost all sectors and an overall significant return to boating. Boat sales in terms of specialty boats have far outpaced supply. Such segments as small bass boats have surged.

Manufacturers of waterski and wakeboard boats have sold out their entire production. Inventories across most regions have gone from plentiful to empty showrooms. In some cases there are still also production problems with difficulty in obtaining parts for completing new builds – limiting some of the new boat sale potential but helping increase sales of older boats.

Lakes and rivers where one can find coves or other marinas to spend a night or two or more are great incentives for boat usage. Many facilities are offering maps with areas that are conducive for camping out while many, though not all, marinas are actively taking reservations for overnight visitations.

For the large lakes and coastal marinas, usage of the boats for day trips as well as cruising is up dramatically, though much of the cruising may be being kept somewhat closer to home due to various travel and quarantine restrictions. Sailing and cruising the waters to other marinas or coves and other points of destination provides a significant change of pace.

If you have a restaurant and it’s up and running, make sure people know about it. Outside dining is definitely in, and what better place to do it than at the marina. A number of places are reporting up to hour-long waits for folks without reservations – and since reservations are the best way to avoid those waits, make sure customers know that reservations are available and encouraged, especially if you did not take them prior to the onset of this new normal.

Hassle-Free Fun
The common thread for marinas and dealers are back to basics – make it easy, and fun. As one operator said, “The more we can do to make it easy and safe for the customer, the more the boats are used, the more they use our services, from the soda machine, to ice, supplies, food and, even additions to or repairs to the boats.”

The more hassle free the greater the enjoyment. Providing pointers on where the fish are running, tides and water temperature, weather forecasts, other restaurants on the water, to whatever else is happening adds to the pleasurable mindset. And boaters keep in touch with each other and love to tell others what a great time they had … in detail. Such energetic and descriptive recountings are contagious … in a good way.

So let’s all help beat the pandemic and provide clean, safe, and inviting boating opportunities. Now it’s off to go waterskiing and then, if the winds come up in the afternoon as predicted, some sailing as well!
Happy boating.

Dan Natchez is president of DANIEL S. NATCHEZ and ASSOCIATES Inc., a leading international environmental waterfront design consulting company specializing in the design of marinas and marina resorts throughout the world. He invites your comments and inquiries by phone at 914/698-5678, by fax at 914/698-7321, by e-mail at dan.n@dsnainc.com or on the Web at www.dsnainc.com.