U.S. Recreational Boating by the Numbers ...
Source: National Marine Manufacturers Association
- Annual U.S. sales of boats, marine products and services totaled $49.3 billion in 2020, up 14 percent from 2019.
- It’s not just new boats being sold; an estimated 1.1 million pre-owned boats were sold in 2021.
- The recreational boating industry supports more than 690,000 American jobs and 35,000 American businesses.
- Outdoor recreation accounts for 1.8 percent of U.S. GDP, generating $689 billion in gross economic output, of which recreational boating and fishing is the single largest segment, contributing nearly $31 billion in gross output and supporting 4.3 million American jobs. (Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis)
- Ninety-five percent of boats sold in the U.S. are American made.
- An estimated 100 million Americans go boating each year.
- Sixty-one percent of boat owners have an annual household income of $100,000 or less.
- Ninety-five percent of boats on the water in the U.S. are less than 26 feet—boats that can be trailered by a vehicle to local waterways.
Leading the nation in sales of new powerboat, engine, trailer and accessories in 2020 were the following states:
1. Florida: $4.3 billion, up 28 percent from 2019
2. Texas: $2.4 billion, up 22 percent from 2019
3. Michigan: $1.3 billion, up 12 percent from 2019
4. North Carolina: $1.2 billion, up 24 percent from 2019
5. Minnesota: $1.1 billion, up 14 percent from 2019
6. Wisconsin: $967 million, up 22 percent from 2019
7. New York: $966 million, up 20 percent from 2019
8. California: $948 million, up 17 percent from 2019
9. Georgia: $921 million, up 24 percent from 2019
10. South Carolina: $859 million, up 20 percent from 2019