CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With Memorial Day marking the kickoff to the summer boating season, the Na...

1. Boat Sales Strong with Summer on the Horizon
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With Memorial Day marking the kickoff to the summer boating
season, the National
Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) reported today healthy
growth for the $35.4 billion U.S. recreational boating industry, with an
estimated 171,500 new powerboats sold in 2014, an increase of 6.4
percent over 2013. Categories seeing growth within the powerboat segment
include jet drive boats, up 16.7 percent to 3,500 units; ski/wakeboard
boats, up 16.4 percent to 7,100 units; and outboard boats, up 7.4
percent to 144,800 units. NMMA anticipates sales of new powerboats to
continue growing through 2015 with an increase in unit sales of as much
as five to seven percent.
"We're seeing sales increases across a number of boat categories with
the largest increase from smaller fiberglass and aluminum outboard
powerboats--a segment that remains the market share leader given their
continued versatility and variety of price points and sizes," said NMMA
president Thom Dammrich. "Marine manufacturers have been introducing
smaller, more versatile boats at lower price points that can be used for
activities from fishing to cruising with family and friends, making
boating even more accessible for newcomers."
The popular outboard boat segment, which includes pontoons, aluminum and
fiberglass fishing boats, and small fiberglass cruising boats, comprised
approximately 84.4 percent of
http://www.wattpad.com/95050429-finding-the-best-mooring-service-marina-wareham the overall
powerboat market. Outboard
boats were the most popular type of new powerboat sold in 2014.

2. In addition to new powerboats, new sailboats sold at retail increased
33.9 percent to 7,500 units and new personal watercraft sales increased
21.6 percent to 47,900 units.
"Spring and summer are key selling periods for new boats and we are off
to a good start with warmer weather and lower gas prices helping to
boost boat sales," noted Dammrich. "After a strong 2014, we expect to
see continued growth in 2015 by as much as five to seven percent."
Boating by the numbers
U.S. expenditures on boats, engines, accessories, and related costs
totaled $35.4 billion in 2014.
The recreational boating industry in the U.S. has an annual economic
impact of more than $121.5 billion (includes direct, indirect and
induced spending), supporting 650,015 direct and indirect American

3. jobs and nearly 35,000 businesses.
Annual retail sales of new boats, engines marine accessories in the
U.S. totaled $16.4 billion in 2014.
Americans are taking to the water: 35.7% of the U.S. adult population
- 87.3 million Americans - participated in recreational boating at
least once in 2014.
Boats are uniquely made in America: 94.9% of powerboats sold in the
U.S. are made in the U.S.
There were an estimated 12 million registered boats in the U.S. in
2014.
95% percent of boats on the water (powerboats, personal watercraft,
and sailboats) in the U.S. are small in size at less than 26
feet--boats that can be trailered by a vehicle to local waterways.
It's not just new boats Americans are buying, there were an estimated
940,500 pre-owned boats (powerboats, personal watercraft, and
sailboats) sold http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2614860/ in 2014.
Boating is primarily a middle-class lifestyle as 71.5% of American
boat owners have a household income
http://marinawarehamboatyard.blog.com/2015/01/12/finding-the-best-boat-repair-marina-wareham-b
oatyard/ less than $100,000.
Leading the nation in sales of new powerboat, motor, trailer and
accessories, the top ten boating states in 2014 were:
Florida: $2.3 billion, up 22.5% from 2013
Texas: $1.3 billion, up 11.9% from 2013
Michigan: $762.4 million, up 13.1% from 2013
Minnesota: $601.5 million, up 3.9% from 2013
New York: $597.8 million, up 7.3% from 2013

4. North Carolina: $580.2 million, up 16.9% from 2013
Wisconsin: $560.3 million, up 2.9% from 2013
California: $546.8 million, up 20.9% from 2013
Louisiana: $529.9 million, up 11% from 2013
Alabama: $457.7 million, up 19.6% from 2013
NMMA released this new data as part of its 2014 U.S. Recreational
Boating Statistical Abstract, an annual compilation of data and
analysis on the state of the U.S. recreational boating industry.
About NMMA: National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is
the leading association representing the recreational boating industry
in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of
the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and
anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to
industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market
statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the
boating lifestyle. For more information, visit NMMA.org.
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