BoatUS Report

BoatUS by the Numbers

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is an association of like-minded boaters, sailors and anglers defined by a sampling of numbers. From how many members it has (over half a million) and the number of towboats across the nation (600), to the number of fishing tournaments sanctioned by the BoatUS Angler “Weigh-to-Win” cash bonus program (300+) or the combined total hull value of all of the boats insured (over $8 billion), BoatUS has a number for it.

Tossing a line: One of the 65,000 requests for on-the-water assistance that BoatUS received in 2011.

 As 2011 slowly fades from view, here’s a look at some of those numbers over the past year from the nation’s boating advocate and service provider:

The BoatUS Member
500,000+:	Total number of BoatUS members in 2011.
1,000,000+:	Total number of boats owned by BoatUS members in 2011.
27:	Average number of years of boating experience for a BoatUS member.
Boating Safety
92,397:	The number of boaters who have taken or enrolled in the BoatUS Foundation’s free Online Boating Safety Course in 2011, which qualifies as boating safety certification in 33 states and can qualify you for a discount on your boat insurance.
90,000+:	The number of times a child’s life jacket was borrowed from the BoatUS Foundation’s Kids Life Jacket Loaner Program in 2011, which is offered at over 570 locations across the country.
4:	The number of lives saved in 2011 attributed to the BoatUS Foundation EPIRB Rental Program.
Clean Water
2,131:	Miles of fishing line recycled by the BoatUS Foundation Reel In and Recycle Monofilament Fishing Line Recycling Program.
800:	Number of BoatUS Foundation Reel In and Recycle Program fishing line recycling bins built and installed around the country in 2011.
50%	The average reduction in cigarette litter seen at 43 marinas that participated in the BoatUS Foundation Cigarette Litter Prevention Program.
On-the-Water Towing and Assistance
65,000+:	The total number of requests from boaters for on-the-water assistance received by the BoatUS Towing Service’s 24-hour call centers and local TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist towing companies in 2011.
300:	The total number of TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist towboat locations in North America.
$600+:	National average cost of an on-the-water towing bill paid out-of-pocket by non-members in 2011 (Towing bill cost for BoatUS members with annual “Unlimited” Towing Service Plan: $0).
62,900:	The total number of downloads for the BoatUS Smart Phone App in 2011, which provides an easy way to see, text, email and share via Facebook your boat’s location (including latitude & longitude), or call for a tow on the water or to summon roadside assistance.
3,530:	The number of times the BoatUS Smart Phone App has been used by boaters to call the BoatUS 24-Hour Dispatch Centers in 2011.
Roadside Trailering Assistance
$14:	The cost of adding the BoatUS Trailering Club to a BoatUS membership, which will tow both a disabled boat trailer and tow vehicle up to 100 miles and includes a subscription to BoatUS Trailering Magazine.
18,000:	The total number of roadside assistance companies across North America offering BoatUS Trailering Club and BoatUS Angler members the ability to handle both boat trailer and tow vehicle breakdowns 24/7.
43%:	Percentage of requests for roadside assistance to the BoatUS 24-hour Dispatch Centers attributed to flat tires (the #1 request, followed by #2 bearings: 22%; #3. axle: 12%; #4. tow vehicle: 5%)
Angling
59%:	Overall percentage of BoatUS members who fish (Percentage of BoatUS Angler members who fish: 100%)
300+:	The number of fishing tournaments (including B.A.S.S., FLW, PAA, LBAA and Collegiate Bass Fishing) sanctioned by the BoatUS Angler “Weigh-to-Win” cash bonus program that pays the highest-placing BoatUS Angler member.
$75,000:	Bonus dollars available to BoatUS Angler members who registered for the BoatUS Angler “Weigh-to-Win” program in 2011.
Boat Insurance
$8 Billion:	The total hull value of all boats insured with BoatUS Marine Insurance in 2011.
$260 Million:	The total value of BoatUS members’ boats who were safely hauled-out and stored ashore with help from their BoatUS insurance policy’s Hurricane Haul-out coverage with Hurricane Irene in 2011.
8,760:	The number of hours per year that a boater can speak to BoatUS Marine Insurance Claims staff member (24/7/365).
Government Affairs
646,731:	Total number of individual “BoatUS Government Affairs Alerts” concerning critical federal and state issues emailed to BoatUS members in 2011.
17,000:	Total number of citizen comments generated for the federal government on just one issue: The potential loss of GPS and chartplotter signals with the proposed nationwide build-out of a cellular telephone network by a private company, LightSquared.
Consumer Affairs
$2,500:	The average dollar amount returned to a BoatUS member who sought third-party negotiation assistance from the BoatUS Consumer Affairs Dispute Mediation Program to resolve a complaint in 2011.
DSC VHF Radio Registration
16,000+:	Number of MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) numbers issued in 2011 for free through the BoatUS “Free MMSI Number” DSC VHF Radio registration at www.BoatUS.com/MMSI.
Boating and Fishing Discounts:
900:	The number of boating and fishing businesses offering discounts to BoatUS members (337 offer a fuel discount up to 10-cents off per gallon).
4%:	The percentage of West Advantage Gold Rewards earned back by BoatUS members when shopping for boating supplies at West Marine.
Public Relations
150:	Number of press releases issued by the BoatUS Public Relations Office in 2011 (To receive releases, visit www.BoatUS.com/PressRoom/form_media.asp).
BoatUS.com
6.4 Million:	Number of unique visitors to BoatUS.com in 2011.

About BoatUS: BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money-saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.