U.S. Boat Sales Rise 4 Percent in 2018, Reaching Highest Levels in More Than a Decade
As the summer boating season gets underway this weekend, the National
Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced today new data
that shows unit sales of new powerboats in the U.S. reached 276,000 in
2018, an increase of 4 percent from 2017, the highest levels the U.S.
recreational boating industry has seen in 11 years.
Marine expenditures, spending on boats, engines, trailers, accessories
and related services, were at an all-time high in 2018 at $42 billion,
up 7 percent from 2017.
"Sales of new boats and boating expenditures have been on a consistent
upward climb for eight years, with some segments reaching pre-recession
sales volumes," said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. "As millions of
Americans head to the water this summer, marine manufacturers and
dealers are preparing for the busy selling season that coincides with
peak boating months. With consumer confidence high, unemployment low,
wages on the rise and interest rates holding level, we anticipate the
recreational boating market to remain healthy in the year ahead with
modest growth of up to 2 percent in new powerboat unit sales in 2019."
The increase in new powerboat sales in 2018 was led by:
Outboard boat sales were up 3 percent to 177,600 units in 2018;
representing 85 percent of new traditional powerboats sold, and
includes pontoons, aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats, as well as
small fiberglass cruising boats.
Personal watercraft sales rose 8 percent to 69,000 units in
2018; often considered a gateway to boat ownership.
Wakesport boat sales rose 10 percent to 10,500 units in 2018;
popular with new and younger boaters for wakesurfing and wakeboarding.
Cruiser sales were up 3 percent to 9,000 units in 2018; ranging
in size from 22 to 32 feet and geared toward entertaining and
?cruising.'
Jet boat sales were up 4 percent to 5,900 units in 2018;
smaller fiberglass boats that use jet engine technology to propel the
boat.
U.S. Recreational Boating by the Numbers
For a further look at the state of the U.S. recreational boating
industry, below are key statistics that provide insights on the
industry's size, makeup and demographics.
Recreational boating contributes an estimated $170.3 billion in
economic activity to the U.S. economy, an increase of approximately
$49 billion since the last time the association reported economic
impact in 20121.
Leading the nation in sales of new powerboat, engine, trailer and
accessories in 2018 are the following 10 states: 1. Florida:
$3.2 billion, up 8 percent from 2017 2. Texas: $1.8
billion, up 9 percent from 2017 3. Michigan: $1.1 billion,
up 10 percent from 2017 4. North Carolina: $914 million,
up 9 percent from 2017 5. Minnesota: $861 million, up 6
percent from 2017 6. Wisconsin: $781 million, up 9 percent
from 2017 7. New York: $775 million, up 5 percent from 2017 8.
California: $765 million, up 6 percent from 2017 9. Georgia:
$680 million, up 8 percent from 2017 10. South Carolina:
$661 million, up 4 percent from 2017
It's not just new boats Americans are buying; there were an estimated
976,200 pre-owned boats (powerboats, personal watercraft and
sailboats) sold in 2018, down slightly (1 percent) from 2017.
Nearly 12 million boats were registered/documented in the U.S. in 2017
(2018 data will be available late summer).
Ninety-five percent of boats on the water (powerboats, personal
watercraft and sailboats) in the U.S. are small in size, measuring
less than 26 feet in length?boats that can be trailered by a vehicle
to local waterways.
Sixty-two percent of boat owners have a household income less than
$100,000.
About NMMA: The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)
is the leading trade organization for the North American recreational
boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of
the boats, engines, trailers, marine accessories and gear used by
millions of boaters in North America. The association serves its members
and their sales and service networks by improving the business
environment for recreational boating including providing domestic and
international sales and marketing opportunities, reducing unnecessary
government regulation, decreasing the cost of doing business, and
helping grow boating participation. As the largest producer of boat and
sport shows in the U.S., NMMA connects the recreational boating industry
with the boating consumer year-round. Learn more at www.nmma.org
and get engaged with us on Twitter
and LinkedIn.
______________________
1 This figure includes $20.5 billion of business tax revenue,
which was not included in the NMMA's 2012 economic impact study.
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