2nd Attempt-Coronavirus Covid 19 and the Marine Industry

Chicago/Illinois shut down. Can't look at a boat, work on a boat, get on a boat until at least the end of the month. Skipper Bud's is shut down completely, although they are working shipments and a skeleton crew out of their Milwaukee location. It's going to be a REAL short season up here.

Funny Roger! Thanks for a little levity.

In many areas, the situation is also an opportunity for major transformation... if some will take the bait.

For example, given recent forced and accelerated advances in distance learning, and if a solution to the "baby-sitting" portion of public education emerges... school districts may begin to realize they don't need all those buildings... which in turn means they don't need all those buses, which in turn means (slightly) lowered polution, etc etc etc. All that, spread across a whole economy, also implies broader workforce reshaping, consumption reshaping...

I don't have insight into what factors might affect -- maybe transform -- the marine industries, though.

-Chris

I agree. Here in Ontario plans are already underway for changes going forward in making and delivering product for example. Delivery of essential services and products will see a radical change going forward. We will also be seeing a stronger direction of product developement and manufacturing
at home. There will be changes in many areas going forward. Education as you mention is one of them. Certainly given the economics going forward changes will have to be made to help in the recovery of monies spent now and going forward as a result of the current crisis.
Our marina is currently closed. It looks like this closeing may extend into May or June. And if it does open we are told it will not be the same. No pool, no gatherings of people, no events no clubhouse. Escorted to your boat to avoid any contact with anyone, then leave the marina, or stay on your boat.
Fuel availability or pumpouts???? A number of boating mates are considering no boating this year. Our season is short to begin with. Leaving the boats wraped or left in storage has already been discussed. Difficult decisions to be made over the next couple of months.

To be honest, I think that people with boats will still use them. Boating is in the DNA of many, and is an essential pastime in order to maintain sanity and productivity.

Also a path to find social distance from the big cities. I know I'm setting up for a boating season...

I as well, I've cancelled my cruising schedule but have still booked a seasonal spot up on the St. Lawrence Seaway (1000 Is). I can still spend time on her, do some upgrades I never have time for and do some dinghying.
Of course this is all dependant on NY allowing launch. I'm in a private club so I am hoping it all comes together.

It's going to be different; city by city, marina by marina, person by person. There will be a great desire to get in the water countered by all kinds of impediments, some forced upon the community some inherent to the individual. One consideration is that storage facility contracts are time limited and as well slip contracts. Is the city of Chicago going to refund all or a portion of the slip fee's if they restrict access? It's a nice rev generator for the city which is going broke by the second. I would assume the storage folks would gladly rent out their space for additional money but owners are going to resist staying inside. It's not like we can wait like the folks in FL can. It will be interesting.

It's a little early to tell what the season will be like in the Northern part of the U.S. and Canada. All everyone can do is wait and see. Here in South Florida a lot of families are using their small boats, because there's nothing else to do. However, I'm seeing a decline in that because I believe everyone has gone through the fuel they've had in their fuel tanks and aren't filling them back up because of the economic uncertainty of their jobs and income. I was on the ICW yesterday and there were a decent amount of boats out for a weekday, but nothing like 2 weeks ago. Even though spring break is over, college students are still on break so it's not that.

It looks like it would be easy enough in MD to get around the non use of your boat issue, if you simply bring some fishing rods and go fishing or tell them you're moving it to another slip.

All marinas here are shut down including municipal ones. In fact the launch ramps the municipality ownes are all blocked with cement blockers so they cant be moved.

Consider adding specific language to your contract agreement, hand write it in and have the Marina initial it....and then pay with credit card....

I noticed a little while ago that our local Burger King is completely closed now, including the drive up. How does that relate to boats? Having just drive up customers didn't justify keeping the lights on and paying salaries. I have to think that's going to filter down to fuel docks pretty soon as marinas up north generally hire yard workers this time of year for prepping and launching boats, and those are who also man the fuel docks. Will marinas want to invest tens of thousands of dollars in payroll and filling their tanks when sales are questionable due to people staying home to protect themselves, due to staying off their boats because of Covid 19 regulations, due to not having the money to run their boats from being out of work? Then there's the matter of liability if people are put at risk so businesses can make money from people who want to play on their boats.

How do you guys see the used midsize boat market faring for the next four or five years?