The Harbor Column -- Mike Whitehead

Ahoy.

Boating is the No. 1 way to spend quality family time, according to a

national survey conducted in May by the Recreational Boating and Fishing

Foundation.

A surprising 35% of American adults responded that boating and fishing

top the list and are followed by: playing team sports at 21%; watching

television at 18%; going to the movies at 16%; and playing computer games

at 4%.

Of those surveyed, 90% believe that their stress level is reduced and

87% feel a very positive effect on family relationships by boating and

fishing.

The survey asked adults nationwide what leisure activity is the best

way to spend quality family time.

The survey shows that people are participating in outdoor activities

and that people love to be close to nature. Boating and fishing outranked

other sports such as golf and tennis, and it is estimated that more than

half of the respondents had been boating in the last two years.

I think that boating in general is coming out of adolescence, shedding

the old beliefs that you must leave all the comforts of home at the docks

and only the very wealthy can afford a boat with yacht club membership.

The boat designers have for years ignored women and comfort, unlike

the home designers who have for years designed for comfort and the one in

the family with the veto power.

Luxury, homelike furnishings -- without breaking the piggy bank -- are

very apparent in the new boat models that have something to appeal to

everyone in the family with satellite TV to the microwave to the fishing

cockpit. The trend for years has been shifting from sailboats to

powerboats because of the luxury afforded by the layout of most

powerboats.

However, the sailing industry has made remarkable strides to reverse

the trend with well-appointed vessels and the decrease in the labor of

love of recreational sailing.

High-tech is reaching into the yachts, too, with Cat 5 computer

network cabling now replacing the standard cabling, allowing an easier

interfacing of electronics. Internet and e-mail access speeds are

becoming more popular as access prices come down and the uplink speeds

increase. This allows you to stay in touch with the world or work as you

cruise the coastline, wondering what lies ahead at your next anchorage.

Our harbors have seen the impact of the popularity of boat ownership

as the supply and demand have increased slip rental prices to an all-time

high. Marinas usually follow a standard design guideline when determining

the size and quantity of slips to build out.

The new trend that I think will start being reflected in the

guidelines is to increase the standard of vessel size. I am noticing that

boat buyers are making the jump up in vessel length as the price points

do not differ that greatly. Additionally, a larger boat offers more space

to include friends and allow more comforts of home to be at your

fingertips.

There will always be the difference of opinion between those who want

access and the use of the waterways and those who want to limit access to

the waterways.

I am excited that boating is the most popular family recreational

activity, and that in Southern California, with our mild climate, boating

is a year-round family activity.

Studies have shown that boaters are the least likely to pollute or

harm the waterways since they have firsthand and vested interests in the

water quality.

Fourth of July week is here, so enjoy and be safe out there.

Insurance changes

The Longshore & Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act enacted in 1927 was

never intended to affect the recreational vessel servicing industry like

the ones in Newport Harbor with the additional burden of extra insurance

coverage.

The act states that anyone servicing vessels 65 feet and over on the

navigable waters of the U.S. must have additional insurance that is

typically two or three times the cost of regular worker’s compensation

insurance.

Finally, Ric Keller (R-Fla.) has introduced the Recreational Marine

Employment Act to exempt recreational vessel service businesses from this

antiquated act. This will take the excessive burden off the small

businesses that make up the majority of this service industry, and most

local businesses are probably not even aware of this law.

Tell your representative to support Keller’s efforts.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send him

your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions via e-mail

to o7 [email protected] or o7 BoathouseTV.comf7 .