GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. — One industry that is managing to stay afloat during the pandemic is the boating business. Guntersville boat dealers are seeing a surge in sales.
"Well we're seeing numbers from the industry around 175% up," says Erwin Marine Sales salesman, Cole Martin.
"We've been very busy this past month," added Erwin Marine Sales, sales executive Michael Luketic.
Boat salesmen say they were initially unsure of how the pandemic would impact the business. However, there are shocked with the drive in sales.
"With boat manufacturers shut down for two months it kind of put a kink in the supply chain, so there's not that many boats out there. So I guess everybody's coming out and getting a boat while they're still here," says Martin.
They believe the surge in sales is a way for people to support local businesses and still have fun while social distancing.
"I believe they'd rather allocate their money to staying local instead of putting their money toward going on a cruise or a big vacation," says Martin.
Guntersville Marina owner Alan Alred says he's seen a boost too.
"In the past month we have seen pretty much doubling our fuel sales from last year," says Alred.
Rental space at the marina is also packed. "We have both dry storage and wet slips. And right now we have a waiting list for dry storage," says Alred.
The Guntersville Marina manager says that he can expect for the marina to be packed as usual this upcoming July 4th weekend.