EDITORIAL

Boaters are the cool kids.

As our deadline approached, I spoke to a successful boat dealer, a gentleman I’ve known for many years, who opined that the boom in boat sales would continue for at least another year. I happen to agree with that opinion.

Many of the people buying the boats that have caused marine sales to skyrocket in the past nine months happen to be new boaters. These are folks whose vacations have been canceled, whose social time with friends and family has been curtailed, and who are feeling cooped up. Certainly, there are avid, longtime boaters buying boats. But it is these new folks who are driving the sales records. It is because the pool of nonboaters is much larger than the pool of experienced boaters that roots the belief in a sustained buying frenzy.

Many of the people buying the boats that have caused boat sales to skyrocket in the past nine months happen to be new boaters.

You’ll If you find count that yourself Boating’s among annual these Boat new Buyers boaters, Guide—while welcome to written the water! by experienced boaters for experienced boaters—will prove invaluable to you too. On these pages lies the information you need to compare dozens of boats in a variety of categories. Which pontoon is faster than the other?

Which tow boat under 22 feet seats the most crew? (Hint: “Passengers” passively ride buses; your crew takes an active part in your boating fun.) Which fishing boat comes with room for a larger fish finder? What about fuel economy and towability? Will it fit in my garage on its trailer? The answers to these buying questions and more are yours for the reading. Take advantage of it, and you will boatshop with greater confidence.

I’ll offer a word of advice before closing: Shop for your dealer too. A good dealer—one that’s reliable and straightforward, and has the ability to service the boat, its engines and accessories—can really change the complexion of boat ownership for the better, believe me.

So, again I say: Welcome to the water!

Kevin Falvey, Editor-in-Chief

editor@boatingmag.com

FORWARD, HO! Volvo Penta Forward Drive turns five! Could anyone have imagined that wakesurfing would become so popular that it would drive the development of a new marine drive system? Learn more about Forward Drive on page 158.