South Australia boasts one of the most vibrant boating industries in Australia.

Here are some of the stats:

As at 30 June 2004, there are 51,844 registered power boats in South Australia, possibly the highest per capita boat ownership in the country.

3,524 new boats were registered in the year ending 30 June 2004, compared with 1,616 new boats in 1999/2000.

Four years ago, new cabin cruiser registrations numbered 50, compared with with the 2004 figure of 179. Similarly, new registrations of cuddy cabin craft rose from 254 in 2000 to 586 in 2004, ski boats from 114 to 318 and houseboats from 11 to 59.

Courtesy Austin Henstridge, Editor, SA Waters & Leisure Magazine.