If you've ever dreamed of owning or operating a marina, consider the reality of the business in general, and Marina Water Sports in Newport Beach, Calif., in particular:

• A 17-foot sailboat costs about $2,000, an 18-foot pontoon boat about $2,500, an 18-foot electric boat $10,000-$20,000 and a parasail boat about $40,000.
  
• Marina Water Sports purchases 50-60 gallons of gasoline two or three times a week.
  
• It does 60-70 percent of its business in June, July and August.
  
• Nearly 17 million boats are in use across the U.S. by an estimated 76 million people and more than half of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of navigable waters.
  
• The top five states for recreational boating are Michigan, California, Minnesota, Florida and Texas.
  
• The Parasail Safety Council estimates there are 1,300 parasailing operators worldwide — generating revenue exceeding $250 million annually.

Resources

Marina WaterSports
Newport Beach, Calif.
949-673-3372
www.marinawatersports.com
Self-guided tours of homes and yachts in the bay from five types of power or sail watercraft. With seven picturesque islands and more than 10,000 boats and yachts, Newport Bay is the largest small craft harbor in the United States. Celebrity homes and abundant wildlife make it an attraction for all ages.

The Sutton Place Hotel - Newport Beach
949-476-2001
www.suttonplace.com
World-class luxury accommodations in a relaxed Southern California atmosphere