National survey of moored boat owners released
Last year over 700 boat owners who have boats moored in marinas around Aotearoa New Zealand responded to a survey about hull cleaning and the great news is that most were concerned about the spread of marine pests, the harm they can do, and felt that boaters have responsibility to play their part.
Some of the key findings are:
84% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they are likely to keep their hull reasonably clean* at all times.
On average, respondents spent approximately $2,755 annually on hull cleaning, including antifouling and other cleaning methods - around 18% of average annual expenses.
The time commitment is also significant: participants devoted an average of 103 hours per year to boat maintenance, with 13 hours spent on antifouling and 9 hours on hull cleaning.
The survey was the first of its kind in Aotearoa, using a range of methods to understand how recreational boaters think about hull maintenance and what outcomes they prioritise. By examining boater motivations, challenges and willingness to invest, we gained a deeper understanding of the factors that influence hull maintenance behaviours and the broader outcomes boaters seek. This information will be invaluable in informing our efforts to prevent the spread of marine invasive species.
The survey was produced through the Marine Biosecurity Toolbox research programme by researchers from Cawthron Institute and Scion Research.
*Reasonably clean is defined as a mostly clean hull, with minimal biofouling in limited to hard-to-clean areas such as the propeller shaft and keel, that complies with current standards in regions like Auckland
Download the full report using this link