Fuel Prices Hurting Boat Sales
By Boat Adviser • Jul 14th, 2007 • Category: UncategorizedGRAND HAVEN, Mich. (AP)
The state’s sputtering economy, high fuel prices and reduced marina access have led to fewer boats being sold and registered in Michigan, officials said.
Boat sales are down 10 percent so far this year in the United States and an estimated 12 percent to 15 percent in Michigan, said Ed Mahoney, co-director of the Michigan State University Recreational Marine Research Center.
“Overall, when the economy takes a downturn, discretionary expenditures are impacted by that,”
said Van Snider, president of the Michigan Boating Industries Association.
“This is certainly a significantly challenging time.”
