COVID-19

Boat Clubs Booked, Waterways Busy in South Florida

South Florida Waterways

Docks used by the Freedom Boat Club at a location in South Florida are almost empty because the boats are on the water.  We’re told that the boats are booked out for the next full week, with two shifts every day.

John's pass

John’s Pass on the west coast of Florida was a busy place last weekend.  Local residents tell us that traffic seemed to be about double of what is was a couple of weeks ago.

Waterways

Not a great shot with an iPhone, put the boaters anchored out on a popular Florida sand bar do not seem to be rafted up and are keeping separation.  We have gotten reports that in some places they are rafting up, but it looks like good separation here.

Since the advent of the COVID-19 crisis, people in the boating industry have wondered how the boating public would react to the quarantine and special separation.  The answer can be seen in the pictures above taken last weekend in Florida, which gives us insight into what we can expect to see all over the country this summer.  Boaters will be using their boats to get out of the house, into nature, and on the water.  The National Marine Manufacturers’ Association (NMMA) says the average number of days used a year is just 25. But this year that number will undoubtedly spike upward, as other family activities that have crowded out time for boating become off limits. No more weekend soccer matches for the kids, the country club pool is closed, that trip to Europe has been canceled, forget about baseball games and going to the symphony, or the town 4th of July BBQ and fireworks.  This year, more than ever, families will be spending time together, and we can’t think of any better place than on a boat.