While about 5 million people who enjoy recreational boating in Australia certainly think they spend a lot on their favoured recreation, there is no up to date research quantifying the expenditure or economic benefit of recreational boating.

The popular Australian yacht charter destination - Sydney

Without the data it is harder for boaters; for industry and for governments to attract and or direct investment into boating facilities and services. While allied leisure industries such as tourism use research to maximize public and private investment the boating sector has been left high and dry at a time when investment attraction is increasingly difficult.

To address this major issue the most ambitious survey ever undertaken was launched at Marine13 International Conference and Exhibition in Sydney earlier in 2013. The primary objectives of the monthly online diary survey are to quantify the economic scale of recreational boating and to better understand the characteristics, habits and behaviours of recreational boaters. Types of information which will be obtained from the survey will include: number of boats, boat characteristics, boating days, trips and locations; spending, special issues and boat owner characteristics.

The survey has been developed as a joint venture by the Boating Industries Alliance Australia (BIAA) and the Marina Industries Association (MIA).

One state government agency that understands the need for the survey data is the WA Department of Transport. The Department has highlighted the importance of quality data to inform government decision making with respect to investment in recreational marine infrastructure such a boat ramps and jetties.

MIA EO Colin Bransgrove said: “Since the survey launch nearly 1,000 boat owners have registered to participate. However we are well short of the 3,000 needed for it to be a representative sample. We urgently need folks who care about their yachting, fishing and other boating activities to register for the survey by logging onto the website of Australia Boating Survey. A range of participation prizes are on offer including a years free boat insurance provided by Club Marine.”