News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 25, 2001

Majority of Americans Do Not Support Personal Watercraft Bans

CONTACT:
Elinore Boeke, 202-721-1621

WASHINGTON, DC – A majority of Americans aware of personal watercraft believe personal watercraft use should be permitted in the National Parks, and that if operated properly, personal watercraft are as safe as other forms of water recreation.

Leisure Trends Group, a national consumer research firm, announced today the results of a comprehensive survey of consumer attitudes towards personal watercraft. Sixty-eight percent of those polled who were familiar with personal watercraft do not believe that personal watercraft should be banned from use in National Parks. Ninety-three percent of survey respondents have positive attitudes towards the safety of personal watercraft, particularly if the machines are operated properly.

Additionally, a majority of those questioned believe personal watercraft are not a significant cause of pollution.

“This study shows that despite many misconceptions, attitudes regarding personal watercraft are overwhelmingly positive and this form of recreation has been unfairly targeted for bans in parks around the country,” said Monita Fontaine, executive director of the Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA).

Awareness and usage of personal watercraft is significantly lower among older Americans, according to the survey. While 84 percent of Americans overall rate personal watercraft high on the “coolness” scale (more than rate downhill skiing and mountain biking “cool”), consumers 55 years and older and Americans who have never tried the sport have more negative attitudes towards personal watercraft.

Personal watercraft are affordable family boats with clean, quiet, fuel-efficient engines and no exposed propellers. In less than three years, manufacturers have attained the same level of engine emission reductions it took the auto industry 25 years to achieve. Today’s personal watercraft utilize two-stroke direct injection and catalysts that allow up to 75 percent fewer emissions than models manufactured in 1998. Additionally, hull insulation and other muffling techniques have resulted in personal watercraft that are 70 percent quieter than models of only three years ago.

Bombardier and Yamaha have begun marketing 2002 models with four-stroke engines, universally recognized as the cleanest and most fuel-efficient engines on the water. “Manufacturers of personal watercraft are committed to producing clean, quiet and safe personal watercraft,” said Fontaine. “We are proud of the technological advances that are enabling us to do that.”

“The findings of this study show that a majority of Americans have strong opinions regarding personal watercraft and clearly do not support bans of these vessels,” said Jim Spring, President of the Leisure Trends Group. “It is also clear that the public supports reasonable regulations to ensure the safety of all boaters.”

The telephone survey was conducted June 18 – July 1, 2001 among a nationally representative sample of 750 Americans aged 16 years and older, with a full range of awareness and experience levels with personal watercraft. The margin of error for the overall results is +/-4.5 percent.

The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA), located in Washington, DC, was formed as an affiliate of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). PWIA was created to unite manufacturers and distributors of personal watercraft (PWC) in order to promote safe and responsible operation of personal watercraft and work with federal, state and local regulatory agencies. Membership is open to manufacturers of personal watercraft who are also members of NMMA.

Leisure Trends Group (LTG) is an 11-year-old company with offices in Boulder, CO. Since 1990 LTG has tracked time usage and the changing leisure and recreational habits of all Americans. The LeisureTrak® provides LTG analysts and consultants with the insights that have been recognized by American Demographics Magazine and others.