Proportion of registered boats per household

There was a significant increase in the number of registered recreational boats in Ashburton(S) between 1998 and 2007, with an average annual increase of over 10% observed during that time, before a small decrease in 2008.

The increase between 1998 and 2008 was almost exclusively in the size range up to 7.5m long, which are considered of a trailer towing size. With Onlsow the only town situated on the coast in Ashburton(S), the increase may be attributed to the popularity of the Mackerel Islands, 22km offshore which attract tourists from around Australia for the diving, fishing, turtle watching and bird watching.

When looking at the number of registered recreational boats in comparison to the size of the population, Ashburton(S) showed an accelerated rate of growth of boat registrations between 1998 and 2008.

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