Up another 5 percent, boating industry leaves recession in its wake
The National Marine Manufacturers Association ended 2013 with the optimistic report that recreational boating in the United States will continue its post-recession climb with an estimated 5 percent increase in new powerboat retail sales. The increase comes on the heels of the industry’s 2012 rebound when new powerboat retail sales increased 10 percent—the industry’s first sign of recovery. In 2014, NMMA expects that recreational power boat sales will continue to grow another 5-7 percent. Retail dollar sales of new powerboats are expected to be up 8 percent in 2013. Leading the industry’s growth are small fiberglass and aluminum outboard boats 26 feet or less in size, which saw a 6.7 percent increase in new-boat sales; and ski and wakeboard boats, with an 11.7 percent increase.