Are you one of those people who has been trying to convince your spouse that island living just isn't complete without a boat?

Well, have I got good news for you.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association has recently announced the results of a survey that will definitely lend support to your arguments for boat ownership.

In fact, it's the kind of information Hawaii's boat dealers will especially love to hear.

An online survey, using a random sample of people closely matching U.S. population demographics found that boaters are healthier, happier, and have better sex lives than non-boaters.

Now you've got to admit, that part about "better sex lives" caught your attention. So just think what it might do for your spouse.

But there was more to the survey than better sex. It noted that boaters average nearly seven and a half hours per week of other types of active recreation, compared to less than five and a half hours for non-boaters.

Boaters were also less often hospitalized (11 compared to 14 percent) and tended to be less overweight than those in the non-boating population.

On top of the physical benefits, when responding to the overall quality of their lives, boat owners rated theirs about 5 percent better than did the non-boat owners.

Boat owners told of having greater satisfaction with their accomplishments, relations with their families and their ability to enjoy life, whereas non-boaters were more prone to feeling useless, lonely, unhappy, or excessively fatigued.

Among the survey's other findings, it was shown that:

>> More boat owners than non-boat owners -- 83 percent compared to 77 percent -- said their health was excellent or good.

>> Sixty-seven percent of the responding boat owners said that having a boat has contributed to their well-being.

>> Boat owners expressed greater self-esteem and an ability to enjoy life (including their better sex life) compared to non-boat owners.

>> Some 60-plus percent of the boat owners who responded said that owning a boat has brought their families closer.

>> Most boat owners -- 89 percent -- said the most important benefit of owning a boat came from just being outdoors.

>> Eighty-five percent said the best benefit of boating was from spending time on the water.

>> Being able to unwind and leave pressures behind was considered most important by 79 percent of those surveyed.

>> And finally, 71 percent agreed it was all about finding tranquillity.

So, there you have it. All of the elements of a perfect argument for boat ownership. How could a spouse say no?

Or, for that matter, how could anyone not find the thought of recreational boating appealing?

Hawai`i has some of the best fishing grounds in the world and tournaments for every age and expertise.

We also have some of the best sailing conditions in the world and some of the most stunning vistas from offshore.

Our island state is blessed with the kind of ocean environment people elsewhere can only dream about. Do yourself a favor and enjoy it.