I’m not a pilot, though I do fly radio-controlled planes. But I’ve always been fascinated by airplanes, today I’m convinced there’s a parallel between flying and boating that dealers should be considering.

In today’s aviation circles, a decrease in the number of student pilots and an apparent general lack of interest in aviation among young people has become a major concern. It’s notable that airlines will need to find thousands of replacement pilots in the next few years. Private aviation isn’t taking off well, either.

So it raises the prospect that the same conversation could be had about boating.

Aviation watchers cite various factors for the dilemma: an increase in the cost of flying lessons, the expense of maintaining and flying private planes, a reported lack of new plane designs, and reduced interest in the excitement of the flying experience. After all, an encounter with something new and exciting can easily hook someone for life.

That’s what happened to me as a kid the day I got my first boat ride. I still remember that day with my dad aboard a neighbor’s Chris-Craft Corsair. There was a distinct feeling underfoot as the engines started, the unique sound when cooling water gushes out the transom exhausts, the smell of the vinyl cushions in the cabin, and a sense of real power as the throttles were pushed up and the hull started sending spray.

I was hooked for life, as was my dad. Shortly after that outing our family had our first boat, and I cannot remember a time since that a boat hasn’t been in my life. Indeed, my wife, Kay, and I are on boat 14 since we married.

I’m guessing you’ve figured out where I’m going with this. We’re all members of the same boating industry, and we must all become more aware that to grow boating in the long term, seeds must be planted early. But just as in my case, while I wasn’t a prime prospect at my young age, my dad was. My excitement for boating surely had some positive influence on his decision to become a boat owner. So there can be a reward now and rewards later to seeing youngsters experience boating.

Industry studies have revealed that 80% of current boat owners got their first exposure to boating by the age of 16, so reaching kids is a building block for our future. And it can be a winner for dealers that actively engage kids and continue to nurture their enthusiasm for the sport.

The Discover Boating campaign and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation are leaders in pointing out the long-term benefits of introducing kids to boating. They feature youngsters in many of the videos and messages they produce, and most of these professionally produced, upbeat videos are available free to dealers. But while videos on a dealer’s website or playing in the showroom are good, they are not enough.

Dealers should consider staging some in-store events for kids and parents in the same way they hold an occasional open houses or special sales. It’s not difficult or expensive to do and can even be staged with some frequency.

For example, hold several in-store free family fun days annually, featuring special activities for kids and teens ranging from basic boating skill demos to fishing tips. Create a bingo-like game with boating terms for squares. Have a prize wheel to spin when a youngster correctly puts on a life jacket or properly throws a line. And, of course, nothing beats a hands-on driving experience, even it’s just a simulator like the kind often used by the U.S. Power Squadrons at boat shows.

Of course, the day also includes seminars, demos and activities for the adults, and it’s always free to the general public as well as current customers.

So if dealers want to see boating alive and experiencing future growth, they should be willing to create ways for families with kids to have an opportunity to learn about the excitement of boating. Like I did so many happy boating years ago.