The Statistics and Research department provides industry stakeholders with the latest boating industry forecasts, market data, research and trends.

Recreational Boating Industry by the Numbers:

Boating has an estimated annual economic impact of $72 billion.

Eighty-three million Americans participated in boating in 2011, an increase of ten percent from 2010 (75 million) and the largest proportion of adults (34.8 percent) who went boating since 1997 (35.8 percent).

Retail sales of boats, accessories and marine services increased six percent to $32.3 billion in 2011.

Power and sail boat unit sales increased 0.8 percent to 214,405 in 2011 from 212,645 the previous year.

An estimated 83 percent of powerboats (outboard, inboard, sterndrive and jet boats) sold in the U.S. in 2011 were made in the U.S.

Ninety-five percent of the 12.4 million registered boats in the U.S. in 2011 were less than 26 feet.

Retail sales of aluminum power boats (fishing and pontoon boats) increased four percent in 2011. This segment is leading a recovery for the industry.

73 percent of boat owners in the U.S. in 2011 had an annual household income less than $100,000.

(Source: National Marine Manufacturers Association, 2011 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract)

What's New: Click here to check out a preview of NMMA's 2011 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract.