NMMA approves Grow Boating funding model
WASHINGTON – The National Marine Manufacturers Association Board of Directors voted to approve a funding model for the Grow Boating Initiative during a meeting at the American Boating Congress, held earlier this week in Washington, D.C.
The Grow Boating Horsepower Assessment Schedule will begin billing July 1, and use a flat-fee system to assess boatbuilders, based on the engine horsepower that they put on boats. The flat-fee system will also be used to assess engine manufacturers on all loose engines.
“It’s not optional. If you’re a member of NMMA, you need to pay this Grow Boating assessment,” NMMA President Thom Dammrich said during a press conference at ABC.
If there is no attrition, Dammrich said NMMA could expect to raise about $14 million with the assessment, but that it would more likely raise an amount that would fall between $12 and $14 million.
The assessment schedule will collect a flat fee based on engine horsepower, with the fee rising as the horsepower does. The schedule is set up like this.
| Horsepower Range | Flat Fee |
| 0 – 3.9 | $1.00 |
| 4 – 9.9 | $1.75 |
| 10 – 29.9 | $4.75 |
| 30 – 49.9 | $9.50 |
| 50 – 74.9 | $15.00 |
| 75 – 99.9 | $21.00 |
| 100 – 149.9 | $30.00 |
| 150 – 199.9 | $42.00 |
| 200 and over | $60.00 |
| Sterndrive Engines |
Flat Fee |
| 100 to 199 HP | $41.00 |
| 200 HP plus | $72.00 |
| Inboard Engines | Flat Fee |
| Inboard Skiboat Engines | $72.00 |
| Inboard Cruiser Engines | $72.00 |
Dammrich said that after billing begins in July, about $1 million a month will be collected, with cash flow starting to come into Discover Boating by August or September. He said Grow Boating should have six or seven months of fees in the bank by the time the advertising campaign begins early next year.
NMMA will probably also devote a couple of million dollars to the effort, according to Dammrich.
“With [this schedule] in hand, we’re looking to reach out to other parts of the industry, accessory manufacturers, mass retailers, bankers, marinas and all the other groups, and ask them how they’re going to help contribute to the funding to reach our $16 million budget,” Dammrich said.
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