1. A Recreational Boating Characterization for Tampa & Sarasota Bays, Florida Charles Sidman Timothy Fik Bill Sargent Marine Planning Specialist Associate Professor Research Scientist Florida Sea Grant Department of Geography Florida Marine Research Institute University of FloridaUniversity of Florida St. Petersburg, Florida Charles Sidman Timothy Fik Bill Sargent Marine Planning Specialist Associate Professor Research Scientist Florida Sea Grant Department of Geography Florida Marine Research Institute University of FloridaUniversity of Florida St. Petersburg, Florida

2. 1. Project goal and objectives 2. Sampling framework 3. Descriptive analyses 4. Upcoming research Presentation Outline

3. Project Goal Characterize the preferences, activities, and use patterns of Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay boater populations.

4. Survey Objectives 1.Acquire spatially explicit information on trip origins, destinations, and travel routes. 2. Determine if preferences, use- patterns, and activities differ among boating groups. 3. Identify boating issues and information needs.

5. Sampling Stratification RegionTrip Origin TypeSample Size (surveys mailed) Sarasota Bay 1. Marina (Wet)586 2. Marina (Dry)505 3. Public Ramp722 4. Private Dock1000 Tampa Bay 5. Marina (Wet)1000 6. Marina (Dry)1000 7. Public Ramp1000 8. Private Dock1000 TOTALS6,813

6. MARINA SAMPLE 5,317 vessels at 75 marinas 3,075 in wet-slips 2,242 vessels in dry storage facilities Logged vessel registration number or vessel name and hailing port Owner names and addresses from VTRS or USCG

7. RAMP SAMPLE TAMPA BAY FMRI surveyed 19 Tampa Bay ramps over 1 year period tag numbers from 1,991 boat trailers SARASOTA BAY FSG surveyed 10 popular Sarasota Bay ramps tag numbers from 1,733 boat trailers __________________________________ Names and mailing addresses Tampa Bay (N = 1000) Sarasota Bay (N = 722) from VTRS

8. DOCK SAMPLE Shoreline data used to select waterfront parcels Match VTRS name and address to Parcel owner name and address

9. DOCK SAMPLE Sample size—500 each county Spatial distribution by geographic coordinates (sort on parcel centroids)

10. SURVEY RETURNS RegionTrip Origin TypeSurveys Mailed Gross Net Returns% Returned Sarasota Bay 1. Marina (Wet)586 56117732 2. Marina (Dry)505 48613327 3. Public Ramp722 67017025 4. Private Dock1000 98432933 Tampa Bay 5. Marina (Wet)1000 96129531 6. Marina (Dry)1000 97625626 7. Public Ramp1000 95226928 8. Private Dock1000 99527928 TOTALS6,813 6,5851,908AVG = 29

11. RECREATIONAL BOAT TRIPS Boaters Identify: 3,481 trip origins 3,481 travel routes 5,193 destinations 1,635 congested areas

12. TRIP ORIGINS Places where largest numbers of boaters typically begin trip Trip information aggregated in GIS Presented as ‘density of occurrence’ Lower (higher) densities mapped with lighter (darker) shades of red. Areas that experience highest concentrations of trip origins typically contain combination of ramps and marinas—St. Petersburg Pier, Gandy Bridge, Anna Maria Island areas) Other locales with high densities of launch origins include Fort DeSoto Park, Upper Manatee River and southern portion of Sarasota Bay (city of Sarasota).

13. TRAVEL ROUTE DENSITY Primary Boating Node— Lower Tampa Bay area (Ft. DeSoto Park, Indian Key, Pinellas Point, the Sunshine Skyway, and Anna Maria Sound) High traffic volume also at major passes— Longboat Pass, Blind Pass, John’s Pass, and Clearwater Pass Beyond barrier islands, flow of traffic follows radial pattern to and from prominent artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico

14. FAVORITE DESTINATIONS Density analysis reveals two clear boating destinations: 1. Egmont Key 2. Longbeach/Longboat Pass Secondary destinations: 1. Three Rooker Bar/ Honeymoon Island 2. Weedon Island 3. Shell Key 4. Sunshine Skyway

15. CONGESTED AREAS Where boaters experience congestion—“more boats than you prefer” At favorite destinations and certain passes: Egmont Key, Longbeach/Longboat Pass Clearwater Pass, John’s Pass

16. ACTIVITY PROFILES Database structure facilitates mapping of activity and temporal use information from survey questions Linkage of attributes to spatial trip information—origins, routes, favorite destinations For example—can map daily, and seasonal use- patterns, by activity and trip origin type— marina wet slip, marina dry storage, ramp, and dock

17. Trip Profiles Cockroach Bay Ramp 30 Origins 30 Routes 96 Destinations

18. Density of Travel Routes

19. Density of Favorite Destinations Density of Favorite Destinations

20. Content Analysis—Helpful information by boating region and trip origin type Types of vessels owned Average departure times Average time on the water Monthly counts of trips—seasonal Reasons for selecting travel routes Reasons for selecting departure site Reasons for selecting favorite destination Travel times to destinations Categorization of boating activities Boater experience and safety training Types of vessels owned Average departure times Average time on the water Monthly counts of trips—seasonal Reasons for selecting travel routes Reasons for selecting departure site Reasons for selecting favorite destination Travel times to destinations Categorization of boating activities Boater experience and safety training

21. Most-important Reason for Selecting a Favorite Departure Site -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Category / Description CountPercent Close to home 298 35.7% (1) Close to favorite boating spots 183 21.9% (2) There is no parking or launching fee 14 1.7% There is adequate parking 29 3.5% Don’t have to wait too long to launch 33 4.0% (5) The parking is safe and secure 18 2.2% Prefer deep water access 61 7.3% (4) tie Nearby amenities (restaurant, mini mart, etc.) 20 2.4% Well-marked channel access 13 1.6% Ease of launching and retrieving boat 88 10.5% (3) Gas, pump-out, or maintenance services 12 1.4% Availability of restrooms 2 0.2% Availability of fishing supplies, including bait 3 0.3% other reason 61 7.3% (4) tie N = 835 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Category / Description CountPercent Close to home 298 35.7% (1) Close to favorite boating spots 183 21.9% (2) There is no parking or launching fee 14 1.7% There is adequate parking 29 3.5% Don’t have to wait too long to launch 33 4.0% (5) The parking is safe and secure 18 2.2% Prefer deep water access 61 7.3% (4) tie Nearby amenities (restaurant, mini mart, etc.) 20 2.4% Well-marked channel access 13 1.6% Ease of launching and retrieving boat 88 10.5% (3) Gas, pump-out, or maintenance services 12 1.4% Availability of restrooms 2 0.2% Availability of fishing supplies, including bait 3 0.3% other reason 61 7.3% (4) tie N = 835 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

22. Most-important Reason for Selecting a Favorite Boating Route -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Category / DescriptionCountPercent Easy access to favorite boating spots 481 35.9% (1) Scenic beauty 282 21.1% (2) Avoid shallow water 110 8.2% (4) Prefer calm waters 72 5.4% Avoid congested areas 100 7.5% (5) Avoid manatee zones 8 0.6% Easy access to supplies or marina 26 1.9% Avoid speed zones 12 0.9% Prefer well-marked channels 78 5.8% None are important (I just cruise around) 55 4.1% other 115 8.6% (3) N = 1,339 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Category / DescriptionCountPercent Easy access to favorite boating spots 481 35.9% (1) Scenic beauty 282 21.1% (2) Avoid shallow water 110 8.2% (4) Prefer calm waters 72 5.4% Avoid congested areas 100 7.5% (5) Avoid manatee zones 8 0.6% Easy access to supplies or marina 26 1.9% Avoid speed zones 12 0.9% Prefer well-marked channels 78 5.8% None are important (I just cruise around) 55 4.1% other 115 8.6% (3) N = 1,339

23. Most-important Reason for Selecting Favorite Boating Destination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Category / Description CountPercent Prefer calm protected waters 168 11.3% (3) Enjoy scenic beauty 191 12.8% (2) Prefer a natural/undeveloped shoreline88 5.9% (5) Preference to observe wildlife35 2.3% Fishing opportunities are important 531 35.6% (1) Swimming / shelling opportunities 70 4.7% Avoid crowds 76 5.1% Availability of shoreline entertainment/restaurants 105 7.0% (4) Availability of fuel or fishing supplies15 1.0% Beaches for picnicking / socializing56 3.8% To socialize with other boater51 3.4% I have no favorite spots. I just cruise around74 5.0% Other reason33 2.2% N = 1,493 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Category / Description CountPercent Prefer calm protected waters 168 11.3% (3) Enjoy scenic beauty 191 12.8% (2) Prefer a natural/undeveloped shoreline88 5.9% (5) Preference to observe wildlife35 2.3% Fishing opportunities are important 531 35.6% (1) Swimming / shelling opportunities 70 4.7% Avoid crowds 76 5.1% Availability of shoreline entertainment/restaurants 105 7.0% (4) Availability of fuel or fishing supplies15 1.0% Beaches for picnicking / socializing56 3.8% To socialize with other boater51 3.4% I have no favorite spots. I just cruise around74 5.0% Other reason33 2.2% N = 1,493 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

24. Boaters’ Activities by Category -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Percentage Activity/CategoryCount N of respondents Beach Picnicking 5021,648 30.5% Nature Viewing 7061,648 42.8% (3) Sightseeing 6721,648 40.8% (5) Beach Camping 6811,648 41.3% (4) Daytime Anchoring 5011,647 30.4% Socializing 6581,648 39.9% Cruising 9681,648 58.7% (2) Overnight Anchoring 3081,648 18.7% Visit Restaurant 6441,648 39.1% Diving 2121,648 12.9% Sailing 3021,648 18.3% Swimming 6491,648 39.4% Fishing 1,0551,648 64.0% (1) Other 1121,648 6.8% --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Percentage Activity/CategoryCount N of respondents Beach Picnicking 5021,648 30.5% Nature Viewing 7061,648 42.8% (3) Sightseeing 6721,648 40.8% (5) Beach Camping 6811,648 41.3% (4) Daytime Anchoring 5011,647 30.4% Socializing 6581,648 39.9% Cruising 9681,648 58.7% (2) Overnight Anchoring 3081,648 18.7% Visit Restaurant 6441,648 39.1% Diving 2121,648 12.9% Sailing 3021,648 18.3% Swimming 6491,648 39.4% Fishing 1,0551,648 64.0% (1) Other 1121,648 6.8% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

25. How Data Can Be Used? Combine with FMRI landside ramp analysis 1.What interior counties are contributing to use? 2.Identify locations for additional facilities. Determine spatial patterns by activities and origins 1.Link activities to origins—educational products 2.Planning for future access and on-the-water traffic patterns for level of service or carrying capacity. 3.Compare with habitat and manatee information.

26. 2004 Work Plan Content Analysis of Open-Ended Questions 1.What detracts most from boating experiences. 2.What is most needed to improve boating experiences. 3.Identify Information needs. Test for congruency between mail-out sample and returns 1.Are survey respondents spatially representative of initial sample. 2.Has a sufficient sample been obtained for major marinas and boat ramps (number and distribution).

27. Ramp Shed Analysis Land Based Profile 1.Delineate ‘market area’ or area of influence. 2.Quantify ‘drawing power’ or use potential. Water Based Profile 1.Characterize boating patterns for specific ramps and marinas. 2.Test if differences exist in preferences and use patterns according to activity type and launch origin type. Identify Use Overlaps 1.What ramps and destinations compete for the same boater populations – overlapping geographic and demographic profiles. 2. What ramps and destinations are stand-alone –distinct geographic, demographic profiles.

28. The End