By today’s official Clark Lake boat count, the total number of boats on the lake beat all records. Last year’s total showed 1,590, and this year’s total is 1,653.
Here are some key takeaways.
- Rafts have a commanding lead, and they are up 4%, from 583 to 607.
- Inboards have increased 8% and now number 86. This is significant in that these are high ticket items, as are some of the newer rafts.
- People-power watercraft are up 4% from last year.
- While kayaks beat all other people-power craft, they are down 5%. Paddle boards increased 25% and paddle boats, 28%. Paddle boards didn’t show in the boat count until 2014, and there are now 91 of them at the lake.
- The number of boats per cottage has increased to 3.6 from 3.5. Since 1987, the low year was 1999.
- The percentage of of boats moored at the clubs is about the same.
[youtube]https://youtu.be/XGf7fVAnLcc[/youtube]
The Clark Lake boat count traditionally occurs on July 4th, with the assumption that any boat that is going in the water, will be in the lake by this date. Bill Tuttle leads the crew–Steve Wawro, Lance Hollner, Jim Tuttle, and Rick Belcher. At sunrise, the crew departed from Kentucky Point and followed the shoreline around the lake.
Bill Tuttle, Lance Hollner, Jim Tuttle, Steve Wawro
The boat count was initiated by Bowser Eagy in 1959. Data from 1961 thru 1986 is missing.
