Social Distancing on the Water
We are well into boating season now and as expected, the traffic on
our local waterways has picked up quite a bit. But if your
experience is like mine, you may have noticed that boat traffic is
even more than it was at this time last year. We can thank COVID-19
for that. In this age of social distancing, people are realizing
that spending time on the water is one of the best ways to have your
fun and remain safe. It is pretty easy for a family to be out on the
water, whether on a boat or a few PWC’s, and keep their distance
from other individuals. Statistics have shown that boating has long
been one of the best activities for families to participate in. It
seems that more and more people are starting to realize that again.
Flying across the water on a PWC, a bow rider or raising the sails
and gliding across a body of water is not a bad way to spend your
time during a pandemic. It sure beats staying indoors.
On Lake Lanier,
where I do most of my boating traffic is up by 20 to 30 percent over
the same time last year. Sales of boats and PWC’s have gone
through the roof and boats that used to sit idle at the dock waiting
for their owners to show up are now being used. I am considering the
purchase of a PWC so a few weeks ago, I stopped at a dealership near
me to see what they have in stock. Initially, I thought they might
have been closed because I did not see any machines in the showroom.
After speaking with a sales person, he assured me that they were
still in business but they were sold out. According to him, three
weeks prior, they had over 80 machines in stock and they had sold
them all. In addition, they were having trouble finding more.
Conversations with other dealers shown similar situations.
Boating traffic in many areas has increased significantly over last year. |
So why boating
during a pandemic?
After several weeks
of social distancing at home, people are ready to get out of the
house, especially with the weather (and the water) getting warmer.
Boating allows families to get outside without having to be in crowds
or gather with individuals that they are not familiar with.
Summer weather has
been shown to kill COVID-19. Don’t assume that this is a cure or a
reason to not social distance but science has shown that sunlight,
heat and humidity are all bad for the virus. That’s good for us if
we like being outdoors. I wonder if I can use that as an excuse to
take a sick day and go boating.
One of the biggest
affects of COVID, other than the obvious, is the mental toll that is
has taken on all of us. Many of us feel that our lives have changed
dramatically or even come to a halt. We feel locked up in our homes
and cabin fever is setting in. Getting out on the boat may just help
you feel more normal again while still allowing yourself to be safe.
Getting out on the water allows you to safely do something that makes life seem normal again. |
Is there a downside?
Well, if you do not
currently own a boat or PWC, you may have trouble finding one. If
you do manage to find one, the high demand may mean that negotiating
the price you want may be a bit more challenging.
Whatever you do, get
outside and enjoy the warm weather. It will be good for you.
Happy Boating
Capt. Frank
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