With the weather now warming up, boats and personal pools are becoming hot items.
For some, they have become harder to find.
McMillan Marine in Irondequiot says the boating business is booming since the area began reopening following the pandemic.
“This year we are selling our year’s inventory in a month-and-a-half, two months,” said David Hines, the general manager of McMillan Marine. “Our guys are worn out. We have very little inventory left. We are searching for more. This has been such a crazy, crazy month-and-a-half.”
Baycreek Paddling Center manager Dave Hulburt says since phase two began, his business has been busier than ever with people renting and buying paddle boats and kayaks.
“Once we are able to let people come up here and demo boats and try out paddles and take their time to really make an educated decision, we have seen a nice jump in sales,” said Hulburt. “What we really notice is people really wanting to come down and get their own boat or board so they can get out on the water.”
Many are also bringing the water to their own homes. American Pool Supply in Webster says backyard pools have been in great demand and more people are buying do-it-yourself pool kits. Even inflatable pool toys have been flying off the shelves at a rapid pace.
“It’s definitely due to people staying home, staying closer. People watching their finances a little tighter. Instead of going on vacations, they are going on the ‘staycation’ version of it,” said John LeClair, the store manager of American Pool Supply. “Our season actually started a little early… [Customers] started coming to get chemicals and supplies and things. So we started ordering up and ramping up and we have been crazy busy ever since.”
Local boaters say they are expecting the new wave of interest in the industry to keep growing as more people seek ways to have fun in the sun with family while following social distancing guidelines.
“I think everyone is thinking a little differently now and I definitely can see why there is increased traffic right here out on the water,” said Gates. “I think there is probably still some fear about traveling and some uncertainty about the next phases that are about to open up. So it’s very easy to just come to the local waters where we know our boats our, where are friends are, where we can bring our family in our own environment and enjoy what we have right here in our own region.”
“You also can’t fly anywhere, you can’t go anywhere, you can’t go on cruise ships so what you spend on a 10-day vacation you can have a boat for the whole summer,” said Hines.