US Leisure Boating a $121-billion Business
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) reports that the industry’s rising tide supports 964,000 American jobs and 34,833 businesses, generates $40 billion in annual labor income and drives $83 billion in annual spending.
The NMMA, released these findings as part of its annual U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, a collection of data and analysis on the state of the U.S. recreational boating industry. Additional data highlights include:
New Boat Sales
Retail sales of new power and sailboats increased 10.7 percent in 2012 to 163,245, demonstrating a post recession recovery for the industry.
• New powerboat sales increased 10 percent to 157,300 in 2012.
• New sailboat sales increased 29.2 percent to 5,945 in 2012.
Trends
- Small fiberglass and aluminum outboard boats 26 feet or less in size, continued their upward climb with an 11.3 percent increase in the number of new boats sold. Outboard boats are the most popular type of new powerboat sold, making up approximately 82 percent of the market.
- Ski and wakeboard boats are seeing healthy growth with an increase of 13.4 percent new boats sold in 2012.
- Jet boats, which are small fiberglass boats less than 26 feet in length, are a growing category. Of the 157,300 new powerboats sold in 2012, 4,500 were jet boats. New jet boat sales increased 36.4% in 2012.
About NMMA:
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
