boat n.: a hole in the water that one throws money into. For many, boats and boating bring to mind many numbers: Watercraft title: $41, cost to "summerize": $200, new prop: $150, gasoline for an afternoon of water-skiing: $45. This got our research staff thinking...what does boating look like "By the Numbers?"

We started with the obvious:

How many boaters are there in the U.S.? 72 million (5.5 million also water-ski)

Percentage increase in boaters since 2001: +5.8%

Percentage decrease in number of people participating in water-skiing since 1997: -53%

Amount spent in Minnesota on boats, trailers and accessories (2003): $601 million

Rank in number of registered boats (2002)

• Minnesota: 5 with 834,974
• Wisconsin: 6 with 619,124

Number of states that require a user fee for non-motorized boats: 7 (including Minnesota)

Minimum age to operate a personal watercraft:

• Minnesota: 13
• Wisconsin: 12

Who is required to take a boating education class in order to legally drive a boat with more than 25 horsepower?

• Minnesota: Children ages 12-17
• Wisconsin: Children ages 10-16

Lake Minnetonka Facts and Figures

Approximate number of boats on Lake Minnetonka on a typical weekend afternoon? Around 1,250 to 1,500. Acres of water per boat? Around 10. Average length of boats on Lake Minnetonka in feet: 21. Percentage of boats that are moving at any one time? 60%. Time of day when the traffic peaks? 4 p.m. Percentage of boaters satisfied or very satisfied with their outing? 91%.

Brainerd Area Lakes Facts and Figures

Approximate number of boats on Brainerd area lakes on a typical weekend afternoon? Around 1,250 to 1,500. Acres of water per boat? Around 90. Average length of boats on Brainerd area lakes in feet: 18 feet. Percentage of boats that are moving at any one time? 40%. Percentage of boaters satisfied or very satisfied with their outing? 88%.

Percentage of boaters that have fished within the last 2 years: 80%

Number of boating fatalities (2003): 703

Percentage not wearing a personal flotation device: 86%

Boat: A hole in the water that we throw money into? Hardly. Boating is more like a quiet watering hole in our busy lives where we stop to refresh and recharge. And, it is a whole lot of fun to boot.