Investing in boat business

The NMMA reports that 74 percent of boats are owned by individuals or families with a household income of less than $100,000. And 71 percent of boats purchased are used. That means there are a lot more used $10,000 vessels on local waters than new $40,000 pleasure boats.

it's a huge market to invest in. But unfortunately it's facing some troubles. Those less-affluent folks, Merritt contends, are feeling the pain of higher gasoline, which already has broken $4-a-gallon at the pump for cars and is close to $5 at some inland marinas.