Biden administration awards 19 states with boating infrastructure grants

April 5th, 2023

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the agency’s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program will provide more than $20 million in grant funding for 19 states to construct, renovate and maintain marinas and other boating facilities for outdoor recreation. Under the BIG program, more than $2.8 million will fund projects in 19 states under the […]

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Industry headwinds discussed at boat show

February 23rd, 2023

In a recent Soundings Trade Only article, writer Gary Reich reported that during remarks at the Miami International Boat Show, marine industry leaders discussed some of the headwinds facing the marine industry as a whole. According to Reich, Dave Chanda, president and CEO of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), said that after picking […]

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Number of first-time boat buyers continued to climb in 2021

May 4th, 2022

More than 415,000 first-time boat buyers of new and pre-owned boats entered the market in 2021, on par with 2020 and at levels the industry hasn’t seen since 2007, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Info-Link, a market intelligence firm serving the recreational boating industry. First-time boat buyers accounted for 34 percent […]

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Report shows boating and fishing powered outdoor rec economy in 2020

November 18th, 2021

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released its 2020 report on outdoor recreation’s positive economic impact, which confirmed that boating and fishing remain the number one contributor to this sector of the U.S. economy. The new numbers show outdoor recreation generates $689 billion in economic output, supports 4.3 million American jobs, and comprises 3 percent […]

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CNBC Special Report: Why the boating industry’s boom could carry on for a long time

August 19th, 2021

CNBC featured the recreational boating industry in a special report on August 6th that includes a nearly 13-minute broadcast special–"Why the boating industry’s boom could carry on for a long time." The in-depth story provides a historic look at boat sales, shines a spotlight on boating trends from new innovations to shifting demographics and includes […]

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Minnesota’s Your Boat Club sells 40% stake to French boat manufacturer

August 10th, 2021

Minneapolis-based Your Boat Club (YBC) accepted a multimillion-dollar investment from Groupe Beneteau, a French boat manufacturer, for a 40% stake in YBC, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper. YBC was launched in 2021 and is the largest privately-owned boat club in the world, offering more than 300 fishing boats and ski boats at 24 […]

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Magazine article reviews COVID-19 impact on boating, other recreation

February 9th, 2021

A recent article in the national lifestyle magazine/website, Men's Journal, titled "Our Outdoor World, One Year into Covid," covers the acceleration in the popularity of outdoor recreation, including boating, in the time of Covid-19. The article includes data and insights from the National Marine Manufacturers Association and looks back on learnings and trends from the […]

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Powerboat retail sales rebound in September

November 25th, 2020

New data from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) show new powerboat retail sales picked up in September after slowing down in July and August following record growth in June. New boat sales were up 22% compared to August and up 9% year to date (YTD) compared to 2019 on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Furthermore, September […]

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Young boating leaders honored

September 1st, 2017

Boating Industry magazine announced its 40 Under 40 winners, a list of the top young leaders from across the marine industry. The honorees were chosen from among 200 entries for their outstanding work in the industry and the potential seen in them to continue to carry the marine industry forward. For a list of the […]

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Two boating industry leaders inducted into the NMMA Hall of Fame

September 25th, 2015

Two recreational boating industry leaders received the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s highest honor when they were inducted into the NMMA Hall of Fame on Sept. 15 at the Kentucky Exposition Center during the 25th annual International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX). Bob Long, owner and CEO of JRL Ventures Inc./Marine Concepts, and Dusty McCoy, chairman […]

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