The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) released its Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary covering the 12-month rolling basis period between June 2024 and May 2025. The report indicated that new powerboat retail unit sales declined 10.2 percent year-to-date, with 98,065 units sold compared to 109,212 in the same period last year.

Various boating segments experienced sales declines. New pontoon boat retail unit sales were down 15.7 percent, new jet boat retail unit sales declined 20 percent and new wake sport boat retail unit sales dropped 14 percent year-to-date. Freshwater fishing boats(-2.9 percent) and yachts (-2.6 percent) dipped only slightly—down 2.9 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively.

NMMA pointed to mixed macroeconomic indicators in May as a potential cause. Inflation remained at 2.4 percent, gas prices averaged $3.15 per gallon and NMMA said that interest rates “continued to challenge consumer financing.” Consumer confidence during this period was 98.0, which was a rebound from hitting four-year lows in the prior months.

“As the industry looks to the second half of the year, NMMA encourages members to monitor evolving consumer behaviors closely and adjust marketing and retail strategies accordingly,” the association said in its press release.