Last year, Foresight Research conducted an in-depth survey on 3,295 boat buyers to figure out how they got their information and what they did as a result. It turned out that 61 percent of those buyers worked out what boat they would buy during a boat show, and 95 percent visited a display of the brand they ultimately selected while attending a show.

Not surprisingly, respondents said they enjoyed the chance to compare prices, features, and models side by side that only a boat show permits. They told the pollster that they liked touring boats and finding out about brands they'd not been aware of, too

Check These Out on Facebook 

Have you seen our HeartLand Boating Facebook page? Click here if not, to see photos taken by Jim Conlin. Here's one of the six he sent us.

 Cannon Beach, Ore. Photo by Jim Conlin

Gorgeous, but doesn't look much like the heartland to you? Actually, there's a reason it doesn't. Click here to find out why.

Tom Foster, one of the captains who piloted the ferry, said the owners had attempted for more than a year to persuade the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to

dredge the silt between Mason Island and Island 526, but without success. Foster said silting had added as much as 15 minutes to each crossing, a trip that normally took six to seven minutes.

In a statement to Alton (Ill.) Telegraph, Grafton's mayor, Tom Thompson, said he hoped that Grafton could obtain a grant to perform the dredging and do other waterfront projects. The city owns the right to license a ferry.

Ohio Dept of Natural Resources seeks

    watercraft cadets

In its December newsletter, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) announced that it is

searching for as many as 24 watercraft officer cadets. The department began accepting applications on Jan 3. Because the hiring process is rigorous, the process could take up to 11 months. The ODNR Division of Watercraft administers Ohio's boating programs.

"We seek highly motivated individuals who wish to make a positive difference in the state's boating safety efforts," said Pamela Dillon, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft.

An applicant must be at least 21 years old when the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy training is done, be a high-school graduate, and possess a valid Ohio driver's license. Background checks, drug screens, and psychological examinations will be conducted; and in addition, some physical fitness tests must be passed. To see the requirements and file an application, click here. More information is available here. 

Photo by Elliot Free

Former California Department of Boating and Waterways director, Raynor Tsuneyoshi, has

accepted the newly created position of national program director for the United States Power Squadrons. Tsuneyoshi accepted the new position effective Jan 1.

 "I am extremely excited about the prospects of helping the Power Squadrons continue to be the leader in boating safety education," Tsuneyoshi said.

The United States Power Squadrons is the nation's largest non-profit recreational boating organization, with more than 40,000 members in 400 squadrons and 33 districts worldwide.

PowerBoat Guidebook resumes publication

 Photo courtesy of Carver Boats

 Following an 18-month interruption attributed to the recession, officials of American Marine Publishing

announced on Dec 27 that it would resume publication of a print version of the its annual "PowerBoat Guide." Boat brokers, surveyors, and marine lenders use the reference book.

"Although we offered the 2010 and 2011 editions on CD-ROM or as a download from our Web site, our  customers made it clear that they preferred the physical book for its portability and convenience. With the economy showing signs of strengthening, we decided this was the right time to put it back into production," said Ed McKnew, president of American Marine Publishing.

American Marine Publishing has produced the PowerBoat Guide annually since 1989.