NMMA reports gain in new powerboat registrations

The US marine trade association – the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) – says new powerboat registrations in the US were up 4% on a year-over-year, rolling 12-month basis through February.

The association said sales of boats above 27ft were up 11.1%. The growth in that segment was led by saltwater fishing boats, which were up 15.9%. Towboats, pontoons, outboard and jet-propelled runabouts were up 7 to 8%. Sterndrive cruisers were up 9%.

For 2017, the NMMA reported total wholesale powerboat shipments were up 8.8% compared to the previous year. The gains come from a 9% increase in shipments of aluminium outboard boats and a 7% increase in shipments of personal watercraft. Wholesale shipments of fibreglass sterndrive boats were up 3% from 2016.