Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) knows that sharing information is a good thing, especially among boaters who own the same brand or model of boat. To help boat owners get the answers they need, the association has created a new, free message board at http://www.BoatUS.com/boatgroups that will give owners a forum for sharing information about specific maintenance, parts, installation and performance issues. Over 250 individual boat brands are represented and divided into two sections – power and sail. A Bayliner owner, for example, could swap tips on where to get a good bimini top or Catalina owners could debate the benefits of “standard” rig versus “tall” rig sail plans.

Unlike other message boards for like-owned vessels, BoatUS.com/boatgroups also automatically displays listings of similar boats for sale at BoatU.S. online classifieds and in BoatU.S Magazine , boat reviews by noted surveyor, designer and columnist Jack Hornor, and important boat links for each brand.

BoatU.S. would like boaters to start posting questions, comments and creating discussions now. “We are asking that boat owners ‘jump in,' but understand it may be a little while for others to join in the discussion,” said Terri Parrow , vice president of BoatU.S. Internet Operations. Any manufacturer not currently added to the message board roster may be added my e-mailing the web administrator at BoatGroups@BoatUS.com.

BoatU.S. membership is not required to use the message board and anyone can view the postings. However, if boaters wish to chime in on a subject or would like to be automatically notified when a message is posted, they must register. There is no cost to register.

BoatU.S. – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 665,000 members with a wide array of consumer services including a group-rate marine insurance program that insures nearly a quarter million boats; the largest fleet of more than 500 towing assistance vessels; discounts on fuel, slips, and repairs at over 835 Cooperating Marinas; boat financing; and a subscription to BoatU.S. Magazine , the most widely read boating publication in the U.S. For membership information visit http://www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.