2003 stats
Length in feet Number of Vessels
40 to < 45 38,102
45 to < 50 17,363
50 to < 55 9,191
55 to < 60 4,584
60 to < 65 3,147
65 to < 70 1,817
70 to < 75 1,486
Total
40 to < 75 75,690
Just how many new boats splash each year in the United States? A few years ago we found this stat and posted it. Interestingly 15 years later the NMMA produces this for comparison.
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The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), representing the nation’s recreational boat, engine and marine accessory manufacturers, announced today it expects unit sales of new powerboats to be up six percent in 2017, marking an estimated 260,000 new powerboats sold last year. As consumer confidence continues to rise and boat manufacturers introduce products and experiences to attract younger boaters, the outlook for 2018 new powerboat sales is another five to six percent increase.
“The close of 2017 marked our sixth consecutive year of growth in new boat sales and recreational boating expenditures, and we expect that trend to continue through 2018, and possibly beyond,” said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. “On the horizon, if economic indicators remain favorable to the recreational boating market with strong consumer confidence, a healthy housing market, rising disposable income and consumer spending, and historically low interest rates, the outlook is good for boat sales.”
The US yacht market experienced a significant decline in sales during the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. The industry struggled to recover in the years that followed, but began to see some growth in 2010 as the economy began to improve.
According to a report by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), in 2010, the US recreational boating industry saw an increase in sales for the first time since 2006. However, the report did not provide specific sales figures for yachts.
It’s worth noting that the yacht industry is a subset of the larger recreational boating industry, which includes everything from small, entry-level boats to large, luxury yachts. Therefore, the sales figures for yachts specifically may not be readily available.
Boat manufacturers and dealers around the U.S. are preparing for a busy winter boat show season – a crucial selling period for the industry. Manufacturers debut their latest innovations and products at boat shows—important selling and marketing events that can generate as much as 50 percent of annual sales for manufacturers and dealers. Shoppers can expect to find incentives and some of the best deals of the year at boat shows with the added convenience of being able to compare different boat models, and different dealers, in one location.
Annual U.S. consumer spending on boats, marine products and services totaled $36 billion in 2016 and is expected to have climbed three percent in 2017 to $37 billion.
Sales of new powerboats in 2017 are estimated to exceed 260,000 units with continued sales growth of 5-6 percent expected in 2018.
The recreational boating industry in the U.S. supports 650,000 direct and indirect American jobs and nearly 35,000 small businesses.
Recreational boats are uniquely American made with 95 percent of the boats sold in the U.S, made in the U.S.
Leading the nation in sales of new powerboat, engine, trailer and accessories in 2016 were the following states:
Florida: $2.5 billion, up five percent from 2015
Texas: $1.4 billion, up five percent from 2015
Michigan: $868 million, up nine percent from 2015
Minnesota: $710 million, up nine percent from 2015
North Carolina: $689 million, up 11 percent from 2015
New York: $688 million, up 14 percent from 2015
Wisconsin: $622 million, up nine percent from 2015
California: $615 million, up 15 percent from 2015
Georgia: $551 million, up 11 percent from 2015
South Carolina: $544 million, up 10 percent from 2015
It’s not just new boats Americans are buying; there were an estimated 981,600 pre-owned boats (powerboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats) sold in 2016, totaling $9.2 billion in sales.
There were an estimated 11.9 million registered/documented boats in the U.S. in 2016.
Ninety-five percent of boats on the water (powerboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats) in the U.S. are small in size, measuring less than 26 feet in length—boats that can be trailered by a vehicle to local waterways