Degree and Range of Recreation Specialization: Toward a Typology of Boating Related Activities

TLDR

The study extends specialization research by comparing boating participants across activities and sub‑activities, hypothesizing that specialization degree rises while range narrows along a hierarchy from dayboaters to racers. Using a statewide random survey of Maryland boaters, the authors classified participants into motor and sailboat groups, identified day, overnight, and racing sub‑activities, and measured a specialization index and its variability. Results confirmed the predicted increase in specialization degree—sail racers scored highest and dayboaters lowest—but did not support the expected decrease in specialization range.

Abstract

This paper extends previous specialization research by using the concept to compare individuals who participate in different boating activities and sub-activities. Analyses were based on a statewide random survey of Maryland boaters. The sample was first differentiated into motor and sailboaters. Within each boating activity, three subactivities were identified and the following hierarchy proposed: dayboaters (least specialized activity), overnight cruisers and racers (most specialized activity). It was hypothesized that the overall degree of specialization would increase, while the range of specialization would decrease as one progressed through the hierarchy. The data generally followed the predicted pattern for degree of specialization. The highest mean scores on a specialization index were reported by sail racers, while the sail dayboaters and motor dayboaters reported the lowest average scores. Range of specialization was examined by comparing the standard deviations on the specialization index for motorboaters and sailboaters and for the three sub-activities. Results failed to support the predicted decrease in the length of the continuum.