For those who have served this great country, “Thank You”!
Boat Industry Upward Trend
January 3, 2013
Recreational boating industry reports ten percent increase in new power boat sales in 2012, sees first signs of healthy growth since recession
Small, versatile boats leading the recovery
January 3, 2013 – The U.S. recreational boating industry began to see the tide turn for new power boat sales with an estimated ten percent increase in 2012, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Early projections indicate the industry will see additional increases in 2013 by as much as 5-10 percent. This level of growth in 2013 will depend on a number of factors including continued improvement in economic conditions that impact recreational boating—namely consumer confidence and the housing market—and sustained increases in Americans’ participation in outdoor recreation.
“Improving economic conditions and what seems to be a resurgence in Americans’ love for the outdoors, helped fuel steady growth in new power boat sales in 2012,” notes Thom Dammrich, president of NMMA. “A ten percent boost at retail in 2012 is significant as this is the first time since the recession we saw healthy growth across the powerboat market, which will create momentum in 2013.”
Another factor, and new trend, that’s contributing to new boat sales is the creation of innovative, more versatile and accessible boats that appeal to a variety of interests and budgets and fall within the 15-26 foot range.
It’s these smaller boats, those less than 27 feet, which make up 96 percent of the 12.4 million registered boats in the U.S. and are leading the industry out of the recession. Boats that fall into this category include aluminum all-purpose boats and pontoons, fiberglass bowriders, fish and ski boats, and jet boats.
“One of the most significant trends we’re seeing in boat manufacturing is the versatile boat—one that can pull tubers or wakeboarders, can be used for fishing outings, relaxing with family or entertaining friends,” said Dammrich. “After a decade of decline, Americans are participating in outdoor recreation in growing numbers, and as they look for ways to spend time outdoors, boat manufacturers are taking cue, producing innovative boats that offer an all-encompassing entry to the boating lifestyle at a variety of price points.”
In 2011, boating participation increased ten percent to 83 million – the largest proportion of adults (34.8 percent) who went boating since 1997(35.8 percent).
It’s not just boating participation that is growing. The Outdoor Industry Association reports that more than 140 million Americans make outdoor recreation a priority in their daily lives – and they prove it with their wallets. The outdoor recreation economy generates $646 billion in direct consumer spending annually. What’s more, a recent study by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reports that participation in fishing is up eleven percent in the past five years, and hunting participation is up nine percent in the past five years.
To further attract this growing number of outdoor recreation enthusiasts and showcase what the boating lifestyle has to offer, the recreational boating industry will unveil its latest innovations at annual boat shows across the country in January and February, starting today, January 3, with the Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show. Boat shows, which attract more than one million people annually, are where manufacturers launch new boats and marine gear for purchase, unlike auto shows which are for viewing. The shows are a primary sales venue for the industry and barometer for things to come for recreational boating, as they provide a glimpse of buyer sentiment and sales for the year ahead. A complete list of boat shows around the U.S. can be found at boatshows.com.
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Chicago Club Coming Soon
Carefree Boat Club is coming to Chicago. We participated in the January 2013 Chicago Boat Show and had an overwhelming response. We will be opening a club at the 31st St Harbor Marina on 1 May 2013. We plan to have an Open House in Mid April. If you have questions about the club or wish to take advantage of their pre opening special please contact the general manager (Greer) of this location at 888-447-1540 or e-mail greer@carefreeboats.com. We are excited about this new location and look forward to meeting with you soon.
Posted in News
Leave a comment
Boating Without Owning in a Hurricane
Owning a boat is hard work to say the least. Add on extreme weather conditions such as a hurricane, and that hard work just got a million times more difficult and stressful. In the event of a hurricane, owners need to either get their boats out of the water or lie them down to keep them safe from the storm, both time consuming and strenuous. Luckily, Carefree Boat Club does this work for you – making not owning a boat easier than ever before.
When mother nature brings in horrible storms, thinking about the safety of your boat should not have to be on the top of your priorities. If a boat is in a marina, often times it is extremely difficult to receive access to it because the marinas become extremely busy in these situations. If one does eventually get access, most marinas do not have enough space for the amount of boats and the owner will then need to find a trailer to keep their boat on. Some people make the potentially detrimental decision and actually leave their boats on the water during hurricanes. The amount of water damage that can happen to a boat at this time is unfathomable. Men and women alike should be spending time preparing to keep their homes, lawns, cars, families, businesses, etc, safe. However, they have the obligation of making sure that their boat is okay in the midst of preparations.
On top of the many advantages that the Carefree Boat Club already offers, one major perk is that we take care of everything during unfavorable weather situations. The east coast is extremely prone to hurricanes, therefore making CBC an ideal spot to take care of those in need. The hard work and dedication of all our employees really shines when they get all the boats out of the water and keep everything safe.
Owning a boat is already hard work, but when you throw a hurricane into the equation, the tasks list gets even longer. Allow us to do that for you!
Posted in On the Water, Tips
Tagged Boating, carefree, Carefree Boat Club, what to do with your boat in a hurricane
Leave a comment
Health Benefits of Boating
While everyone loves a relaxing day on the water soaking up the sun, many don’t realize that boating has many health benefits other than just creating a sanctuary. Boating itself is a low impact activity that not only burns calories, but allows for a good time while doing it. Of course, many people add in some high impact activities while on the water, such as wake boarding, tubing, and water surfing.
Spending a day on the water also grants the endless possibility of bonding with family and friends. In the fast paced world that we live in, it’s not always easy to catch up with old friends or pull our children away from the remote control or television. Boating is an amazing bonding experience that creates fantastic memories. It’s hard to say no to a day on the boat when it allows for such a wonderful and beautiful atmosphere to spend some quality time that is otherwise overlooked!
A day in the sun also allows for our bodies to soak up a safe amount of Vitamin D. With the use of sunscreen, Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that one needs to survive. Data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), USA found that 9% of children across the USA were vitamin D deficient, while another 61 percent, or 50.8 million, were vitamin D insufficient. Spending at least 15 minutes with skin exposed to the sun dramatically decreases these numbers and give our bodies exactly what they need. Make sure that sunscreen is applied to block out the harmful rays from the sun, no one wants to get burnt!
Studies also show that boaters respond to stress or stressful situations in a better manner than non-boaters. By being in an atmosphere of peaceful waters, boaters are stimulating relaxation for themselves, but also their spouses, children, and those that interact with them while boating.
Posted in On the Water
Tagged Boating, boating lifestyle, Boating tips, Carefree Boat Club, health benefits of boating
Leave a comment
Tips for Fishing in the Fall
Some believe that fall provides the best fishing of the year! Because of the cooling temperatures, a greater amount of oxygen is in the water and the fish are more active. As fish become more active, they require a larger amount of food and are more likely to go after anything you throw at them.
Here are some of the baits we recommend for bass catching in the fall:
- Lipless Crankbaits (Rattle Traps, Cordell Spots, etc)
- Top Water Baits (Zara Spooks, Floating Minnows, and Chug Bugs)
- Plastics (Curly Tail Worms & Lizards, Crawls)
- Spinner Baits (Slow rolling or working like a worm on the bottom)
- Pig & Jig combos
- Crankbaits (Deep divers working on the downward slops or drops)
In addition, make sure you are keeping an eye on the changing patterns of bait fish. Places to find these include large creeks, the shallows, and breaks. Once you catch sight of bait fish, bass are usually not too far behind!
Paying attention to the weather is also critical when it comes to fall bass fishing. For example, schooling baitfish tend to head in the direction of the wind. If the wind is blowing north, position your boat towards the north side of the body of water. Typically, cooler fall temperatures will also cause the bass to seek areas where the water temperature is likely to remain fairly stable. We recommend packing a tackle box with a temperature gauge, wind check powder, and a GPS.
Finally, take advantage of cloudy days throughout the season! During the early fall and overcast weather conditions, the bass will be found in shallower water for longer periods of time. If you find a school of bass, they will most likely stay in that same spot all day. Bass will also be more active–sometimes all day long–during overcast and cloudy days. As the water color darkens, the bass will be found in shallower water.
Give the Gift of Carefree Boating
Looking for that “extraordinary” gift for someone who seems to have everything? Why not give them the gift of lasting memories on the water and a piece of mind with a membership to Carefree Boat Club?
By becoming a member, your loved one will have access to a fleet of vessels and they will never pay a fee. Simply pay the one time initiation fee and an annual membership. They will have unlimited access to our boats and can even go boating within 5 days of joining! We even will provide them with formal, on the water training and instruction. Our fleets range in size from 18’ to 27’ and are fully insured by the Carefree Boat Club.
There is no limit for how many times a year they can use their membership and they can reserve a boat on the “spur of the moment”. They will even have the opportunity to create new friendships with our wide array of social functions, outings, and seminars at each location.
Since many of our clubs are at destination locations, your loved one will be able to plan their next vacation around their membership and will be able to take full advantage of their membership and beautiful waterways across the country.
Already a member? Make any celebration extra special. It’s not too early to reserve a boat for 2013 holidays. Wouldn’t Mom love a cruise on Clear Lake with lunch along the way for Mother’s Day? Take Dad fishing on the Chesapeake Bay for the perfect Father’s Day. Enjoy a picnic on Cape Coral for a memorable birthday. A anniversary sunset cruise along the Potomac will make them love you more.
Any day on the water is a day filled with memories, and any everyday filled with memories is a special one!
Boat Carefree in Texas!
As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas! At Carefree Boat Clubs of Texas, we currently have 3 super-sized locations, Clear Lake, Galveston, and Lake Conroe.
Situated in the heart of Seabrook at Seabrook Marina, our Clear Lake Club is one of the largest boating locations in the US. The area is filled with year round sun, perfect for the all of the shopping, sightseeing, and dining options the city has to offer. Visitors can stroll through the Kemah Boardwalk and visit the many ongoing festivals. We are located in close proximity to NASA Space Center and recently experienced Shuttlebration, where the space shuttle arrived into the area by barge, right past the marina!
The Marina has a number of amenities, including the Blue Marlin Fuel Dock, the Seabrook Marina Fitness Center, and the Seabrook Marina Pool. Members of our Club receive 10 cents off a gallon at the fuel dock! Not only do they make a stop here for fuel, but also load up on bait, fishing supplies, ice, and refreshments. The Marina provides beautiful views of the area, including Clear Lake, and easy access to many waterfront restaurants. Outriggers is one of our favorites, where we host monthly mixers in an effort to get the Carefree Boat Club Family all together for a night of food, beverages, and live music.
Our Galveston location is perfect for those who enjoy salt-water fishing because we have quick and easy access to the Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Here, you’ll find a variety of beaches with waterfront dining and breath taking views of Galveston Island. Our members’ favorite activity is taking our twin engine Sea Hunt out for a day of fishing! They always have success catching while enjoying a day on the water.
Lake Conroe offers clean and clear fresh water as well as a wide variety of water recreation. Located in the Palms Marina, you will have an easy escape to the lake to wakeboard, ski, swim, or just anchor out and enjoy the sun. On Lake Conroe, you will find landmarks such as the lighthouse and Bird Island. Check out the secluded, man made beaches, or enjoy one of the many waterside restaurants.
Carefree Boat Clubs of Texas pride ourselves on being a family. Not only do we offer an array of hassle free boating options, we offer a social network. We hold monthly “photo challenges”, where we request our members to email us photos on their “Carefree Boat Club Experiences”. We hang the photos on our bulletin board in the office, and choose a monthly winner who receives a prize. We often host social gatherings, such as mixers and holiday events at our office. For Memorial Day, we had a BBQ and for Labor Day, we took members, family, and friends out and tied up boats to watch an on-the-water concert. Our members even use bigger boats as an outlet to host business meetings. Who wouldn’t want to attend a meeting on a beautiful boat in the middle of a Lake?
This is not only a hassle free experience, but a fun and memorable one. We encourage our members to visit one of our Texas locations and become part of their Carefree Boat Club Family!
Posted in News
Tagged Carefree Boat Club, carefree boat club locations, Texas Boat Clubs
Leave a comment
Boat Carefree in Charleston, SC!
Carefree Boat Club in Charleston, SC will enable you to experience first hand the wild life, great fishing, historic backdrops, and endless creeks that makes Charleston one of the greatest American cities. With two locations serving the Low Country, you can explore the beauties of the area in a different light.
Daniel Island Marina is situated on a beautiful bluff above Clouter Creek. Striving to bring a sense of community and a family atmosphere to the marina, Daniel Island Marina is much more than a place to store boats. You can browse through the ship store, unwind at the outdoor deck bar, utilize their fish cleaning station and much more.
Newly renovated and located just minutes from Charleston Harbor, Ripley Light Marina is an unbeatable location! The marina offers access to Charleston Harbor between the Ashely River Bridge and the James Island Connector.
The fleet at your fingertips includes: 18’ Open Bow, 21’ Dual Console, 21’ Open Bow, 22’ Center Console, 23’ Center Console, 23’ Cuddy Cabin, 24’ Cabin Cruiser, 24’ Sailboat, 26’ Center Console, 27’ Cabin Cruiser, and a 27’ Sailboat.
So come and take a cruise through the Harbor or on one of Charleston’s three rivers. From sunny days to sunset evenings, all the fun you need is ours to offer at Carefree Boat Club, Charleston, SC. So come, relax, and experience Charleston the way it should be….on the water!
Sailing into the 2012 Olympic Games
The 2012 Olympics are officially here! In celebration of the games, we thought we would share the history of one of the only sports that includes equal parts of mental dedication as well as physical exertion, Sailing!
1900 – Then referred to as ‘yachting’ sailing was first featured in the Olympic games. The contests were held in Paris, France. The original regattas often carried up to 12 people per boat.
1904 – The only year in which sailing has not been held in the Olympics since 1900.
1924 – As vessel designs became more standardized, smaller boats became common practice at the Olympics.
2000 – The official term for the sport was changed to Sailing at the Olympic games in Sydney.
2012 – Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour on the south coast of England will host the 10 Sailing events. A new feature of this year’s games includes a match racing event for women: a head-to-head contest of strategy and tactics between teams on two identical boats.
2016 – In the future, other water sports will be held at the Olympics, including kite-surfing.
Sailing races at the Olympics fall into two categories: Fleet races and match racing.
In fleet racing, each event has a series of races. Points are awarded in each race: first scores one point, second scores two points, etc. After 10 races (15 races in the Skiff event), points from the worst race are discarded. The remaining points are added together.
The 10 best athletes/crews then advance to the medal race. Points are doubled, so first place gets two points, second gets four, etc. The points total after the medal race determines the placings. The athlete/crew with the lowest number of points is the winner.
In match racing, the women’s Elliot 6m event starts with a round-robin stage, where 12 crews race against each other, with the winner of each race getting one point and a half-point awarded to each crew in the event of a dead heat.
The best eight crews progress to the knockout stage, where crews race each other in a series of races. Each series is won by the first crew to reach three points.
The main difference to fleet racing is that only two boats ever race against each other, so a different set of tactics are required by the crew and helm. Pure boat speed can win you a fleet race but quick thinking and tactical judgment are required to master a match race.
Posted in News
Tagged 2012 Olympics, Carefree Boat Club, Olympic Sailing, sailing, Sailing history
Leave a comment
