Dealer Benefits

  Consumer Research

Consumer Research

The following data is a partial listing of consumer survey questions. These stern drive or inboard boat owners were surveyed from leads from both internet inquires and MINUTE DRAIN dealers. Data was compiled from almost 5,000 responses.

71% of respondents winterize their boat

88% have a dealer or technician perform the winterization

81% store boat on trailer, lift, or dry storage when not being used
 
17% have personally experienced freeze damage
 
34% know someone else who has had freeze damage
 
54% winterize their boat because of fear of damage
 
58% were told by dealer/technician to stop using their boat and to winterize it
 
79% were not ready to winterize
 
46% said they would use their boat during the months of October- March if they could
 
12% said they didn’t know if they would use their boat October-March

52% said they had not purchased a MINUTE DRAIN system because they needed a dealer/technician to install
 
86% said they wanted to be notified when a local dealer/installer was available
 
36% said they would consider purchasing a new boat in the next 12 months if the new boat could be used year round.

Do you winterize your boat’s engine?
71% yes
29% no
 
Who winterizes your boat?
66% dealer
22% independent service company
12% self
 
When your boat is not being used, where do you store it?
57% on trailer
21% lift at marina or private dock
19% floats
3% dry storage
 
Have you ever had freeze damage to your marine engine?
81% no
17% yes
2% don’t know
 
Have you ever known anyone other than yourself that has had freeze damage to their marine engine?
49% no
34% yes
17% don’t know
 
How many months per year do you use your boat?
6.5 average
 
What is the leading reason you do not use your boat during the months of non-use?
54% afraid of freeze damage
27% do not winterize
13% warm weather boater
6% other

If you winterized your boat last season, did you contact the dealer/technician, or did the dealer/technician notify you that it was time to winterize?
58% dealer/technician notified me
42% I called the dealer/technician
1% neither, and I had freeze damage
 
Did you get to use your boat as many weeks as you wanted to last season?
79% no
21% yes
 
If you did not have to worry about freeze damage to your boat, and could use it anytime you wanted during the months of
October-March, would you go boating?
46% yes
29% don’t worry about freeze damage
13% no
12% don’t know
 
How did you first hear about MINUTE DRAIN?
66% direct mail
13% boating magazine
12% word of mouth
4% marine dealer
3% independent technician
1% internet surfing
1% other
 
If you have not purchased a MINUTE DRAIN system, please tell us why.
52% need assistance with installation
16% undecided
14% no value to me
8% not currently available for my Volvo Penta engine
7% too expensive
3% won’t work in my boat
 
Would you consider purchasing a new boat in the next 12 months if the new boat could be used year round?
41% no
36% yes
23% don’t know
 
If you answered no, please list why.
44% need to wait longer than 9 months to buy a new boat
19% no value in summer months
17% satisfied with current boat
12% just purchased new boat
5% cost of new boat too high
3% other
 
Would you like to see MINUTE DRAIN as an option on your next boat purchase?
76% yes
13% doesn’t matter
11% no
 
How do you think MINUTE DRAIN is priced?
86% fair
12% great value
2% too expensive
 
What would you like to see MINUTE DRAIN do for the boating public?
47% provide a local dealer/installer
* 38% make a MINUTE DRAIN for my engine and provide local installer
11% make easier for me to install
 
When MINUTE DRAIN approves dealer/installer in your area, would you like for us to notify you?
86% yes
10% doesn’t matter
4% no

* Reflects 12 months of data when MINUTE DRAIN was not available for Volvo Penta, Indmar, or PCM. 36% of these respondents owned Volvo Penta