. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. "We have a great, great labor force of quality people. Also our coastline and surrounding waters just naturally are a big ; Another asset for boatbuilders is the state's geographic location. It's almost perfect for receiving sup- plies or sending large vessels by truck or by water. "And you can't overlook the background—the history of boatbuilding in North Carolina," adds Smith. A hundred years ago, boatbuilders wrought wood into commercial fishing boats at Markers Island and Wan
. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. "We have a great, great labor force of quality people. Also our coastline and surrounding waters just naturally are a big ; Another asset for boatbuilders is the state's geographic location. It's almost perfect for receiving sup- plies or sending large vessels by truck or by water. "And you can't overlook the background—the history of boatbuilding in North Carolina," adds Smith. A hundred years ago, boatbuilders wrought wood into commercial fishing boats at Markers Island and Wanchese. Many of their descendants still carry on the tradition. There are other reasons, too, that boating biggies come to North Carolina to build, says Johnson, who recently sur- veyed 52 companies that manufacture saltwater recrea- tional products in North Carolina. The survey was part of a Sea Grant study with assistant professor Rick Perdue of North Carolina State University. Labor is one of the biggest enticements, says Johnson. Some firms came to North Carolina because company offi- cials believed the labor force would not unionize. In addi- tion, managements knew initial investments would be high, but in the long run, the move would pay off. Another lure for boatbuilders is the value of real estate in North Carolina. Companies can buy more property here than, say, southern Florida or New England, and build larger plants. Besides, "It's a nicer place to live," he adds. North Carolina has been nice to them, too. One company in the study reported a 250 percent increase in business in two years. Bayliner's business went up 60 percent. "It shows this industry is important to the state," says Johnson. These larger corporate conglomerates bring in about $40 million in retail sales, says Johnson. But backyard boat- wrights and other small operations also make a contribu- tion. "They may make only $50,000 in net income each year," says Johnson. Howe
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