Ohio Watercraft Registrations Top 415,000 Mark For 2007
Total is fifth highest in Ohio history; hand-powered watercraft grow in popularity

COLUMBUS, OH - The total number of registered watercraft hit 415,562 in Ohio last year, proving that boating remains one of the state's most popular recreational activities. The number is the fifth-highest registration total in the state's history, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft.

The 2007 figure represent an increase of 2,984 boats from the 412,578 registered in 2006. It is the fifth time Ohio's boat registrations topped the 415,000 mark. The state registered an all-time high of 418,701 watercraft in 2000.

"Ohio enjoys a variety of popular boating destinations, including Lake Erie, the Ohio River, more than 200 inland lakes and thousands of miles of inland rivers and streams - some with designated water trails," said Pamela Dillon, chief of the Division of Watercraft. "These many recreational opportunities keep us in the top 10 of boating states nationwide."

Trend data since 2000 reveals a continued decline in powerboat registrations, coupled with a sharp increase in hand-propelled boats such as canoes and kayaks, according to Division of Watercraft figures. Some of the decline in registrations seen in urban counties such as Franklin, Cuyahoga and Hamilton has been offset by increases in adjacent metropolitan counties such as Delaware, Lake and Warren - likely the result of suburban development.

Franklin County again topped the 2007 list with the highest number of registered watercraft at 26,376. Other counties with high registration numbers were: Cuyahoga - 24,391; Summit - 19,356; Hamilton - 17,903; and Montgomery - 15,512. Noble County registered the fewest number of watercraft - 600.

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For Additional Information, Contact:
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Watercraft
(614) 265-6695
-or-
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860