ALEXANDRIA, Va., October 28, 2009 – In recreational boating, it’s a buyers market. While that’s great news for anyone looking at their first boat purchase, lower resale values on used boats also make it challenging for current boat owners to trade up.  It’s simply hard to make room for a new boat when you already have one taking up space in the driveway or marina slip.

This uncontrolled desire to purchase a larger vessel — commonly referred to as “foot-itis” —  is a medical disorder known to afflict boat owners.  Symptoms include visiting boat dealerships every weekend to look at vessels three to five feet longer, or constantly Web surfing online classified ads.

That’s where a new boat donation program from the 501(c)(3) BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water can be an option.  It offers the maximum legal tax benefits and possibly a partial cash payment.

Boaters wishing to donate their used boat can get started online with a no cost, no obligation evaluation .  Working with the Foundation, Action Donation Services facilitates the donation, from working out the paperwork to picking up the boat.  PWC’s, autos, trucks and even RV’s can also be donated, with a portion of the value going to support Foundation programs, such as its grassroots grant funding, kid’s life jacket loaner, EPIRB rental, monofilament recycling and clean fueling education programs.

“This program is also great for parting with a second boat that you no longer use,” said BoatUS Foundation Program Manager Amanda Suttles.  “No matter what your reason, taking advantage of the great deals at boat shows or simply taking a great tax deduction, donating a vehicle to us means you are doing something good for boating.”

For more information, go to www.BoatUS.com/Foundation .

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About “Foot-itis”:

The only known therapy for “foot-itis” is to purchase a vessel larger than the one currently owned.  Unfortunately for those afflicted, relief may only be temporary.  Blockbuster pharmaceuticals such as Levotor, Crestium, Lipistra and Violoft have not been shown to be successful in treating foot-itis.  Consult your local family boat dealer for more information.

About the BoatUS Foundation:

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit education and research organization primarily funded by the voluntary contributions of the 600,000 members of BoatUS.  The Foundation operates more than a dozen programs including the only accredited, free, online general boating safety course, a low-cost EPIRB rental program, the “Help Stop the Drops” national clean fueling campaign, and a free kid’s Life Jacket Loaner Program. It has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for nonprofit groups for boating safety and environmental projects.

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