The Marine Retailers Association of America, in an advisory to members, said it is pleased that the redirection of 85 percent of the Grow Boating Engine Assessment is ending July 1, but it is disappointed that full funding is not being restored to Grow Boating immediately.
Dealers who have been seeing the full Grow Boating assessment charged on their boat invoices should see those amounts reduced. For example, an engine assessment of $41 for engines from 100 hp to 199 hp should be $6.15 as of July 1.
There will be no change in the assessment on loose engine sales. Dealers who did not see engine assessments prior to the change should not see any changes.
"With only 15 percent of the engine assessment going to fund the ongoing Discover Boating Internet marketing and public relations efforts, not much can change in the media marketing effort," the MRAA said in the memo.
However, the group welcomed news that the Grow Boating board of directors was taking action to relaunch the program.
"When you look at the results this program achieved during three years of 100 percent funding, how could anyone not want to see it relaunched ASAP?" MRAA chairman Ed Lofgren said in the advisory. "Participation in boating increased substantially in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Adults participating in boating as a recreational activity peaked in 2008, as did fuel prices, by the way."
He continued: "This didn't happen by accident. It was a direct result of the Discover Boating advertising and marketing efforts."
Click here for the full advisory.
