Boat sales booming after 4-year slump - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Boat sales are booming after a four year slump. Nationally, retail sales for recreational boats and accessories increased six percent last year.  That marks the first increase since 2006.

Marinas are starting to see an increase in their customer traffic, too.  Lou Crippen is prepping his boat to go in the water this weekend in Toledo ahead of the big Memorial Day weekend rush.  This year he plans to use his boat more often.

Crippen says, "This year we're gonna go ahead and do what we want to do.  Last year, we didn't do too much so we'll make up for it this year.  Head out and we're gonna go up to Lake Huron and do some traveling."

Crippen says, with the economy a little better and gas prices not as high as he expected, it's anchors aweigh. 

Brenner 75 Marina is buzzing ahead of good weather this weekend.  Business is brisk this year after bottoming out in 2008.

Owner Don Smith says, "It's actually been fairly flat since then.  Last year we clearly saw an up tick. This year, our springtime is doing very well." 

Smith adds that boaters are finally getting back out on the water. He says, "Most people did not get out of boating but they use their boat a little bit less.  And that's the trend we've seen in the past that they may not be taking as long of trips or as frequent of trips but they tend to still like boating."

Boat sales are booming at Bass Pro Shops in Rossford.

Salesman Scott Czerwony says, "We're really having the best year since we've been open.  We opened in 2008 and every year has gotten a little bit better but this year seems to have seen a big spike in sales." 

He says several factors have helped boost sales including more cooperative lenders. Czerwony says, "A lot of it does have to with the economy seems to be getting better or at least it stopped getting worse.  The banks have kind of opened up their pocket a little better. We're seeing the best interest rates we've seen since we've been open and it's definitely helping."

Nationally, pontoon boats and other less expensive models have sold better in recent years than more expensive powerboats.