The 1987 Great Lakes Charter Sailing Industry

This report presents the results of a survey, conducted during the fall of 1987 by Sea Grant programs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin, on the status of the Great Lakes charter sailing industry. Thirty-one businesses managed a Great Lakes charter fleet of 351 sailboats that generated at least $2.5 million in 1987 in revenue from charter sailing and sailing instruction. The total direct and indirect regional impact was estimated at $3.25 to $4.5 million, based on fees paid to these businesses. This does not include money spent for trip-related expenses like food and lodging. This report discusses other results from the survey and their implications, and offers suggestions for increasing income to related tourist industries.