Personal Water Study May Influence Insurance Premiums for Insurance Companies
The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) conducted a PWC user study to learn more about PWC owners. Owners from all 50 states whose model years were between 1991-95 were surveyed. Owners were selected from among owners of Arctco, Bombardier, Kawasaki, Polaris and Yamaha craft. A total of 11,500 surveys were mailed out and 26% were returned.
Following are some highlights of the completed study:
Eighty-five percent of the owners were male; 15% were female.
The average age of a PWC owner is 41.
Seventy-one percent of respondents were married, 21% were single, and 8% were divorced, separated, or other.
The average household income of those surveyed was $95,400.
Thirty percent of those in the study have taken a boating safety course.
The average number of years of experience in powerboat operation was 15. Even young operators (under the age of 24) have an average of 6 years of operating experience.
The average PWC owner rode his/her about 7 days per month during the 1995 season.
On a typical day of use, an average of 3 different people operated the craft.
On average, 9.2 gallons of fuel per day is used to operate a craft.
The vast majority of PWC operating (85%) was done on fresh water. Thirty-six percent of operation took place on large lakes, and 35% on small lakes. Forty-five percent took place in calm/rippled water, and 41% in light or moderate chop. Only 8% of riding was done on the ocean.
Nearly 9 out of 10 owners (88%) are “extremely” or “very” satisfied with their PWC, and 86% are “extremely” or “very” satisfied with the sport.
The most frequent passenger on the craft was the spouse or significant other. In 3 out of 4 cases, the owner was the most frequent operator.
For most PWC owners (72%), a licensing law would have no impact on their interest in boating and PWC operation. For 18% of owners, interest in boating would decrease. For 7%, interest would increase.
Sixty-two percent of respondents have access to a home on the water. Twenty-seven percent own or rent a second home on the water, while 26% have a close friend or a relative with a house on the water.
And finally, fewer than half agree with the following statements:
I am concerned about the noise made by PWC. (44%)
Local regulations have curtailed the use of my PWC. (42%)
People in the area where I ride don’t like PWC. (42%) I am concerned that the emissions from PWC will harm the environment. (31%)
PWC can harm wildlife. (31%)
By Roger Hagie, Member, PWC Task Force
Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA
