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Staying Close to Home This Summer Boating Industry Announces TopBoating...



It'ss summer vacation season and Americans from coast-to-coast are searching for ways to spend time with family and friends without traveling too far or spending too much. The U.S. recreational boating industry'ss trade association, National Marine Manufacturers Association (http://www.nmma.org)(NMMA), today announced the top 10 boating states. To provide on-the-water vacation ideas, Discover Boating (http://www.DiscoverBoating.com), the industry'ss consumer awareness effort, has named the best boating destinations (http://www.discoverboating.com/boating/destinations.aspx)within each state.



We anticipate this summer to be one of the busiest for boating, as more Americans are looking to spend time with family and friends close to home, says Ellen Hopkins, spokeswoman for Discover Boating. To coincide with the NMMA'ss announcement of the top boating states, in terms of annual sales, we'sve identified boating hot spots within each state where boating is a vital part of the local lifestyle and where you don'st necessarily have to be a boat owner to find ways to get on the water.



Below are the top 10 boating states in ranking order by total annual expenditures for new powerboats, motors, trailers and accessories in 2008, followed by Discover Boating'ss must-visit nautical hot spot within each state:



1) Florida ($1.5 billion)


Hot Spot: Sarasota - Just a few nautical miles south along the state'ss central west coast are the easygoing surroundings of Sarasota called the Sister Keys, an ideal area for boaters in search of a relaxed on-the-water experience in the Gulf of Mexico.



2) Texas ($1 billion)


Hot Spot: Corpus Christi - The Texas Coastal Bend boasts numerous inland boating destinations on rivers and lakes. Corpus Christi'ss main marina is an excellent base for visiting boaters to see all the city has to offer.



3) California ($594 million)


Hot Spot: Carlsbad - Just north of San Diego, Carlsbad is dominated by beaches and boating. According to Boating Life magazine, the Pacific coast and Carlsbad Lagoon shoreline is ideal for beginners, as boaters can enjoy the waters without checking tide charts and surf conditions.



4) New York ($509 million)


Hot Spot: Lake George - A 32-mile boater'ss paradise just three hours from metro New York. Lake George Village offers a wide selection of marinas, public docking and launches and is well-known as a world-class fishing destination.



5) North Carolina ($504 million)


Hot Spot: Morehead City - Part of North Carolina'ss Crystal Coast in the Outer Banks, Onshore Magazine highlights Morehead City as an ideal destination for boaters. The barrier islands provide boaters with clean and clear ocean water, infamous for its diving and sport fishing.



6) Delaware ($443 million)


Hot Spot: Indian River - A popular alternative for boaters with families looking for a boating adventure on inland waters. Consider a day trip to Burton'ss Island, a local nature preserve and a must-see for those looking to go fishing, clamming, and stroll secluded beaches.



7) Louisiana ($433 million)


Hot Spot: Caddo Lake - The largest natural freshwater lake in the South, Caddo Lake covers more than 26,000 acres on the Texas-Louisiana border. LakeLubbers.com highlights The Earl G. Williamson Park offering a public boat ramp and 450-foot fishing pier.



8) Washington ($402 million)


Hot Spot: Wynoochee Lake - Solitude-seeking boaters can travel deep into the Olympic National Forest to a young reservoir called Wynoochee Lake. With views of fabled Hurricane Ridge and large rolling hills encompassing the perimeter, this is a boater'ss escape in the Pacific Northwest.



9) Minnesota ($382 million)


Hot Spot: Leech Lake - Leech Lake is literally seven lakes in one. More than a century ago, a federal dam pooled a collection of glacier-dug lakes together to form Leech Lake. As a result, it'ss become one of Minnesota'ss top fishing destinations.



10) Michigan ($373 million)


Hot Spot: Harbor Springs - The waterfront of Harbor Springs is a place where, for a few short months, sunlight rules. For a month and a half when spring turns to summer, the sun rises before six in the morning, providing boaters with longer days to enjoy fun in the sun.



Visit DiscoverBoating.com (http://www.discoverboating.com/boating/destinations.aspx) to find more boating destinations across the U.S. and beyond. DiscoverBoating.com is the most comprehensive boating website, offering useful, un-biased information on all types of boating for non-boaters wanting to learn how to get started in boating and current boaters looking to improve their experience.



About Discover Boating


Discover Boating is a national awareness campaign developed by the North American recreational boating industry and managed by the industry'ss trade group, the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Discover Boating programs focus on improving the boating experience and building interest in recreational boating by providing a resource for Americans to explore the benefits, affordability and accessibility of the boating lifestyle. Visit DiscoverBoating.com to learn more.



*Photo by Bahamas Ministry of Tourism






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