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CHICAGO – May 16, 2012 – The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today announced that in 2011 U.S. retail sales for recreational boats, accessories and marine services increased six percent to $32.3 billion, retail sales of new power and sail boats increased 0.8 percent to 214,405 total units, and boating participation increased ten percent to 83 million. The recreational boating industry has not seen an increase in retail sales since 2006, and the jump in participation is the largest proportion of adults (34.8 percent) who went boating since 1997, when 35.8 percent participated.

Released today, the NMMA’s annual Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is the U.S. recreational boating industry’s most comprehensive compilation of statistics and research. The new data signals the beginning of a recovery for the U.S. recreational boating industry. 

Leading a recovery are sales of aluminum power boats (primarily fishing and pontoon boats), which were up four percent in 2011. There were 77,150 aluminum power boats sold in 2011. The top ten states for aluminum power boat retail sales were (in order of highest to lowest): Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Florida, Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois.

“Pent-up demand for boats following years of diminished willingness to spend by consumers, improved credit availability for buyers and boating businesses, positive shifts in consumer confidence and an overall interest in the benefits of the boating lifestyle are steering the industry toward recovery,” notes Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. “Americans’ passion for enjoying the boating lifestyle is taking precedent as they put aside concerns about the economy in favor of creating lifelong memories with loved ones.”

Data from NMMA’s Abstract shows the recreational boating industry continues to be predominantly comprised of small boats, which includes the aluminum power boat segment: 95 percent of the 12.4 million registered boats in the U.S. in 2011 were 26 feet or less in size. Boats less than 26 feet are most often taken by trailer to local bodies of water, in contrast to boats which are 26 feet in length and larger and typically docked at marinas. The size of the boats Americans purchase is relative to boater income: 73 percent of all boat owners in the U.S. in 2011 had an annual household income less than $100,000.

Anticipating what 2012 will bring the NMMA Abstract points toward continued slow growth: A survey, in conjunction with Foresight Research, of 3,100 boaters and non-boaters from December 2011 shows an estimated 15.2 percent of the 237.7 million adults living in the U.S. are actively engaged in shopping/planning to purchase a boat in 2012. This is an increase from 10 percent in 2010.

The 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.

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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 or contact Director of Communications, Ellen Hopkins at [email protected].