32%
19%
12%
9%
9%
5%
Kayaking is an especially popular form of recreational boating for participants aged 18 to 64 years. The majority of kayakers (85%) wear their lifejacket all the time and consider getting swept away, dangerous places like rapids or crossing a bar or fatigue to be significant safety risks.
Power boats under 6m are the second most popular form of recreational boating. Only 51% operating power boats under 6m carry VHF marine radio and 37% a rescue beacon – either an EPIRB for the vessel or a PLB on their person.
Dinghies are the third most popular vessel type and are often used to fish close to shore. These small craft can be easily unbalanced and capsize. It is vital users put on their lifejackets before leaving land and carry waterproof communications.
Jetskiers commonly wear lifejackets, but are less likely to carry some form of communication device to call for help. Like other vessels that operate at speed, there is an increased risk of collision. Nearly 60% of jetskiers are young people aged 18-34.
The larger the vessel the more time spent on it, often further out from shore. Although lifejacket wear is low for adults on larger power boats, 72% still carry a VHF marine radio, and 58% a rescue beacon.
Sailors tend to be more experienced than other types of recreational boaties. While 49% carry a rescue beacon and 52% have VHF marine radio, these types of boaties consider poor weather, notable changes in wind and making mistakes to be top-of-mind safety risks.
For the purposes of consistency this category excludes engine-using dinghies, who remain in the dinghy section.
New Zealanders love to boat, so it’s important to know how to stay safe on the water. We’re seeing more younger boaties aged 25-34 using jet skis and power boats over 6 metres. The numbers of experienced boaties remain high overall.
In 2020 there were approximately
1,672,920
New Zealand recreational boaties
Kayaks, followed by power boats under 6m, were the most commonly used or owned recreational vessels.
In addition to a higher rate of participation in boating, most fatalities are men aged over 40. The chances of a fatality can be reduced by wearing a lifejacket and taking two forms of water proof communication to call for help. It’s also important to check the weather before going out, and avoid alcohol.
More men than women
continue to go boating in 2020
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Recreational Boating in New Zealand 2020
Recreational Boating in New Zealand 2020
Copyright Maritime New Zealand 2020
Please note that this data covers 87% of recreational boaties only. The other 13% used other craft types such as stand up paddle boards, canoes etc. which have not been included in these results.
Where results do not sum to 100, this may be due to computer rounding, multiple responses, or the exclusion of “don't know” or “not stated” responses.
