New powerboat retail unit sales in the US declined an estimated 9%-12% in 2024 to approximately 230,000-240,000 units.
Figures released by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) show the industry continued to normalise throughout the year following record demand during the COVID pandemic while navigating persistent inflationary pressures and rising interest rates.
NMMA anticipates sales of new powerboats will begin to show signs of a return to growth in 2025, driven by innovative new products, changes in US economic policies and consistent consumer demand for on-water experiences.
Boating expenditure in 2025 is expected to come in up to 5% above 2024’s anticipated final tally of $55 billion.
In terms of boat sales trends, new freshwater fishing boats, one of the largest boat segments from a volume standpoint, held steady in 2024 and are expected to end the year flat compared to 2023 at approximately 51,000-54,000 new units sold.
The other two volume leaders in 2024 were new personal watercraft and new pontoon boats, estimated to see approximately 70,000-75,000 and 52,000-55,000 new unit sales, respectively, with expected declines between 10%-13% in 2024.
a focus on innovation by these American companies has provided a foundation for the growth of recreational boating throughout history.
Frank Hugelmeyer
There is a continued focus on innovation, from autonomous docking systems built with increasingly advanced AI to make navigating a boat easier, to propulsion systems powered by everything from low-carbon fuels to hybrid systems making boating more sustainable.
In addition, accessibility is a continued theme with a rise in boat clubs, boat sharing apps and rental platforms.
“Trends in consumer preferences for flexibility, on-demand experiences, and easy-to-use technology—to name a few—have helped give rise to new ways to get on the water, making boating more accessible and versatile than ever,” explained Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA president and CEO.
“As a uniquely American-made industry with 95% of boats sold in the US having been made in the US, a focus on innovation by these American companies has provided a foundation for the growth of recreational boating throughout history.”
The top states in sales of new powerboat, engine, trailer and accessories in 2023 were:
Florida: $6.4 billion, up 3.1% from 2022
Texas: $2.4 billion, down 1.4% from 2022
Michigan: $1.6 billion, down 2.9% from 2022
North Carolina: $1.38 billion, up 1.1% from 2022
Minnesota: $1.2 billion, down 3.5 % from 2022
New York: $1.19 billion, down 1.7% from 2022
Wisconsin: $1 billion, down 1.8% from 2022
Georgia: $1 billion, up 1.2% from 2022
California: $1 billion, down 3.9% from 2022
Alabama: $991 million, up 2.8% from 2022
