Boat Show Floats Local Economy

Across the country, 17,000 jobs were lost last month. Many analysts thought the nation was on the verge of a recession. But, as the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show wrapped up on Sunday; organizers say the state of Oklahoma is staying afloat. The News On 6's Dan Bewley reports the local economy is getting a boost thanks to people looking for a little weekend fun.

 "We've been talking about it for a while and so we're going to look around and get some ideas about what we want to buy," said Tulsa resident Corey Mauser.

Corey Mauser's family is in the market for a new boat which brought them to the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show.

With $23,000 or $43,000 price tags, and national economists saying the country is teetering on a recession, you might think buying a new boat may be out of the question. Not so, say show organizers, pointing out Saturday's attendance was the second best Saturday in the show's 52 years. Rick Maninger of Pier 51 Marina says his firm has sold seven boats since the show opened Tuesday.

"It hasn't affected us yet at all. It seems to be, if nothing else, because I don't think Oklahoma is as bad as an economic situation as the rest of the nation," said Rick Maninger of Pier 51 Marina.

Boat show president Phil Keeter agrees. He said the industry in Oklahoma is doing just fine.

"We see a little downturn in some of the entry level product.  That would be people that are more subject to lay-offs from big plants. But, we're not seeing any type of a real downturn," said Phil Keeter with the Tulsa Boat, Sport & Travel Show.

The Mauser's are in this mix. Corey admits the cost of a new boat makes him a little wary, but said he'll find a way to make it happen.

"It's definitely payment wise, something I keep in mind as far as what I'm looking at. But, it's something I've wanted for a long time," said Tulsa Corey Mauser.