OHIO BOATING FACT SHEET

• In 2005, Ohio registered 412,445 recreational watercraft, ranking it eighth among the 50 states in number of licensed boats. An estimated 3 million Ohioans go boating each year.

• Watercraft registrations increased 8 percent overall between 1993 and 2003, including boats more than 26 feet long (up 27 percent) and canoes/kayaks (up 35 percent).

• 49 percent of all recreational powerboats in the United States are located in the Great Lakes region. Great Lakes boaters spent an average of $2,500 each during 2005 for food, lodging, fuel and related expenses.

• Recreational boating in Ohio contributes an estimated $2.1 billion annually to the state’s economy and supports the fulltime equivalent of 19,000 jobs.

• More than $5.3 million is paid annually to the state in watercraft registration fees.

• Boaters paid $14.6 million in state marine fuel taxes during 2005.

• During 2005, boat sales in Ohio generated $14.8 million in state sales taxes. At the same time, new boat registrations totaled 21,183.

• There are more than 450 marinas and boat dealerships, and more than 55,000 docks and rack storage spaces in Ohio.

• There are more than 100 boat builders, as well as trailer, accessory and engine manufacturers in the state.

• The average Ohio boat measures 20 feet in length and is 15 years old.

• The average Ohio boat owner is 53 years old with an annual household income of $74,300. Boat ownership by women increased from 2.6 percent in 2001 to 4 percent in 2004.

• One in five Ohio boaters say they have taken an approved boating safety education course within the past five years.

• Most boat owners are married with families and dual incomes. The average boat-owning household in 2004 owned 1.9 boats and/or personal watercraft, enjoyed 38 boating days yearly and traveled an average of 38 miles each way to go boating.

• An estimated 72 million Americans participated in recreational boating during 2004. Nearly half of all Ohioans have gone boating at least once in their lifetime.

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For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com

For Further Information Contact:
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Watercraft
(614) 265-6695
-or-
Andrea M. Strle, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882