The first section of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2021 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, Outboard Engine Sales Trends, is now available. After reaching record highs in 2020, outboard engine sales in the U.S had a single digit decline in 2021, down 6.6 percent to 307,800 units. Despite the drop from 2020, unit sales in 2021 were the second highest total in the last 14 years, and 29 percent above average retail unit sales from 2008–2021.

“As manufacturing facilities maneuvered COVID-19 related issues with shutdowns and labor shortages, outboard engine sales remained strong due to high consumer demand for boating,” noted Pragati Dalal, NMMA senior manager business intelligence NMMA. “Sales are expected to remain steady in 2022 as engine manufacturers catch up to meet demand.”

Other key insights from the report include:

• Outboard Engines accounted for $3.31B in sales in 2021.
• All but one (300hp and greater) of the horsepower segments had a sales unit decline ranging from 0.4% to as much as 19.6%.
• On a year-over-year comparison, the segment showing the biggest pop in 2021 was the 300 hp and greater segment that posted growth of 3.1% in sales units as compared to 2020.

The remaining sections of the 2021 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract are expected to be released in April and May, and the full digital report will be available in late May.