Media

Video: Designated Sober Skipper – Friends

Designate a Sober Skipper before leaving the dock who will be responsible for passengers and vessel. Support the Designated Skipper Campaign in your area.

Photos: Sober Skipper Program

Photos showing various aspects of the Sea Tow Foundation’s Sober Skipper program.

The US Coast Guard has reported that Boating Under the Influence is a major problem on our nation’s waterways, yet it is 100% preventable. The Sober Skipper Program strives to eliminate BUI injuries and fatalities by encouraging boaters to “Take the Pledge” to be or to designate a Sober Skipper before leaving the dock or […]

Info-link: U.S. Runabout Market Snapshot

Runabouts are fiberglass outboard and stern drive boats between 16’ and 21’ in length. Popular with entry level boaters and used for general recreation, they are found in both salt and freshwater environments. They are frequently referred to as bowriders. New runabout sales have been slow to recover from the 2008 downturn, but there is a very large pre-owned market for these boats.

Operation Dry Water

Operation Dry Water (ODW) is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign. Operation Dry Water’s heightened awareness and enforcement three-day weekend takes place annually around July fourth, a holiday unfortunately known for drinking and boating, and deadly incidents.

Info-link: U.S. Coastal/Inshore Fishing Boat Market

Coastal/Inshore Fishing Boats are fiberglass, primarily outboard, boats between 21’ and 26’ in length that are typically configured in a center console or walkaround style. They are used for near coastal and inshore fishing and are frequently equipped with two engines.

Info-link: U.S. Flats/Bay Fishing Boat Market Snapshot

Flats/Bay Fishing Boats are fiberglass boats between 16’ and 20’ in length and are usually powered by a single outboard engine. They are most commonly a center console configuration with low freeboard and are used for fishing and general recreation in protected waters.

Info-link: U.S. Freshwater Fishing Boat Market Snapshot

Freshwater Fishing Boats are higher content aluminum or fiberglass boats purpose built for fishing, primarily on inland lakes and rivers. This category does not include jon boats which are low content. Freshwater fishing boats represent approximately 20% of all registered powerboats in the US.

Info-link: U.S. Pontoon Boat Market Snapshot

Pontoon Boats are multi-hull aluminum boats used for both fishing and general recreation, predominantly on inland lakes and rivers. The pontoon boat category has consistently gained in popularity over many years. Today the segment accounts for more than 25% of the entire new powerboat market in the US.

Info-link: U.S. PWC Market

PWC (Personal Watercraft) are the motorcycle of the marine world, powered by jet propulsion, and are less than 14’ in length. They are quite prolific across the country in both salt and freshwater environments and frequently sold in pairs. PWCs are sometimes referred to as jet skis and can carry up to three passengers on larger models.

Info-link: U.S. Tow Boat Market

Tow Boats are fiberglass inboard boats between 17’ and 25’ used primarily for tow sports, including skiing, wake boarding and wake surfing. The tow boat category has been growing consistently over the last ten or so years, driven in part by the introduction and increasing popularity of wake boarding and wake surfing.

Info-link: U.S. Small Cruiser Market Snapshot

Small Cruisers are fiberglass, inboard, outboard and stern drive, boats that are between 22’ and 26’ in length. They typically have at least some creature comforts or amenities. They are common in both salt and freshwater environments and are usually used for general recreation and relaxation.

US Coast Guard Data Access Query System (DAQS)

A service from the 2018 Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety Survey called Data Access Query System (DAQS). The DAQS allows a user to quickly sort the boating data off a number of pivot points.

Video: ABYC Foundation

The ABYC Foundation is focused on workforce development and providing the resources that create educational and lifelong career opportunities to both current and aspiring marine service technicians.

Video: ABYC – AIS Prevention

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) negatively impacts the environment, boating, fishing, and businesses. The good news is boating industry manufacturers can design and build better products the will decrease the spread of AIS.

Video: Boating Go-Bag (Freedom Boat Club)

Having everything you need when out on a boat can sometimes make the difference between a good boating day and a not-so-good one. Watch this video to learn the items we recommend. Remember to Boat Safe, Have Fun!

Video: Life Jacket Safety from Freedom Boat Club

At freedom Boat Club, we want you to be safe on the water. This video discusses the type of jacket to use for water sports, in Florida.

Video: How to Use a Safety Lanyard

All Freedom Boat Club vessels come equipped from the manufacturer with an emergency engine cut off switch. This particular device is used to turn the engine off in the event the vessels skipper moves away from the helm or falls in the water. The engine cut off switch has an lanyard between the skipper and the switch. When the lanyard end piece is removed, the engine will turn off. By using this one device it can easily save lives!