Boating Infrastructure Needs in Texas: The BIG Report

Robert B. Ditton

& Fannie Chang

in cooperation with Dewayne Hollin

Texas A&M University

Purpose

• BIG Research Program: To help state agency officials develop a meaningful plan to provide better access to boaters

• Sport Fishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998: A concern for meeting the infrastructure needs of boaters with non-trailerable boats 26 feet and over

Figure 2. Residence Distribution of All Persons Owning TPWD-Registered Boats 26 Feet and Over in Length

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Dallas

Houston

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Jackson

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Corpus Christi

Big Bend NPBig Bend NP

Guadalupe Mountains NPGuadalupe Mountains NP

Mesa Verde NPMesa Verde NP

Big Thicket NPRESBig Thicket NPRES

Carlsbad Caverns NPCarlsbad Caverns NP

Hot Springs NPHot Springs NP

Figure 4. Residence Distribution of All Persons Owning TPWD-Registered Boats Under 26 Feet

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Big Bend NPBig Bend NP

Guadalupe Mountains NPGuadalupe Mountains NP

Mesa Verde NPMesa Verde NP

Big Thicket NPRESBig Thicket NPRES

Carlsbad Caverns NPCarlsbad Caverns NP

Hot Springs NPHot Springs NP

Figure 5. Spatial Distribution of All Marinas

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ArlingtonFort Worth

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Big Bend NPBig Bend NP

Guadalupe Mountains NPGuadalupe Mountains NP

Mesa Verde NPMesa Verde NP

Big Thicket NPRESBig Thicket NPRES

Carlsbad Caverns NPCarlsbad Caverns NP

Hot Springs NPHot Springs NP

Approach

• Spring 2002

• Telephone survey of random sample of 700 boat owners: 350 of boats 26 feet and over, 350 of boats under 26 feet.

• Telephone survey of 221 of 324 marina operators or representatives; asked if they provide access facilities for boats 26 feet and over, under 26 feet, or both

Questions for Boat Owners

• Description of boat used most often

• Boating activities and preferences

• Preferences for facility needs

• Constraints to boating participation

Questions for Marina Operators

• Marina characteristics in terms of facilities

• The need for changes at their facilities

• Description of boater market

Results: Boat Owners (26Ft and Over)

• Average boat length = 30 feet

• Most were sailboats (28%) and cabin cruisers (gasoline) (25%)

• 48% reported the # of transient tie-ups was “about right”; 25% wanted a “lot more”

• Tie-ups were needed: Lake Texoma, Galveston Bay, Lake Travis, Clear Lake, and Port Aransas.

Results: Boat Owners (< 26Ft)

• Average boat length = 16 feet• Most were bass boats (28%) and open motor boats

(24%)• 57% reported the # of access sites was“about

right”; 23% wanted a “few more”• More boat access sites needed: Lake Ray Roberts,

Lake Ray Hubbard, Galveston Bay, Lake Travis, Lake Livingston, and Canyon Lake.

Results: Marina Operators

• 124 of 144 marinas have transient slips with an average of 31/ facility

• 60% have less than 15 TS; another 31% have 15- 50.

• Most (>50%) rated their facility conditions as “good” or “excellent”

• Most (53%) operators were satisfied with the number of transient tie-up facilities; the remaining 47% were not

Discussion Points

• Useful to look at boating demand and supply relationships in light of demographic change

• Boating is expected to grow more slowly from 1998- 2030; declining rate of participation

• Increased demand for facilities in metropolitan areas

Discussion Points

• Transient boat issue: Most boaters “used their boat where it is kept!”

• We gained little insight to transient boaters and their behavior and needs

• Mandated methodology left much to be desired

• There are few data available re: boating in support public policy making

http://lutra.tamu.edu/hdlab/

Downloads

Figure 1. Residence Distribution of 350 Respondents with TPWD-Registered Boats 26 Feet and Over in Length

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Big Bend NPBig Bend NP

Guadalupe Mountains NPGuadalupe Mountains NP

Mesa Verde NPMesa Verde NP

Big Thicket NPRESBig Thicket NPRES

Carlsbad Caverns NPCarlsbad Caverns NP

Hot Springs NPHot Springs NP

Figure 3. Residence Distribution of 350 Respondents with TPWD-Registered Boats Under 26 Feet

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Big Bend NPBig Bend NP

Guadalupe Mountains NPGuadalupe Mountains NP

Mesa Verde NPMesa Verde NP

Big Thicket NPRESBig Thicket NPRES

Carlsbad Caverns NPCarlsbad Caverns NP

Hot Springs NPHot Springs NP

Figure 6. Spatial Distribution of 221 Responded Marinas

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Big Thicket NPRESBig Thicket NPRES

Carlsbad Caverns NPCarlsbad Caverns NP

Hot Springs NPHot Springs NP

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