US recreational marine spending hit $49.4 billion record high
According to the National Marine Manufacturing Association’s (NMMA) 2020 U.S Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, total recreational marine expenditures reached a high of $49.4 billion in 2020.
Up 14.2 per cent from 2019, the NMMA says this record year for the boating industry is due to Americans seeking ways to spend and enjoy time on the water amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Total Industry Sales by Category and State section of NMMA’s 2020 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is now available on its website.
Other key insights from the report include:
- Florida led the US in marine expenditures – boaters in Florida spent $4.3 billion on new powerboats, engines, trailers and after-market accessories in 2020. Texas, Michigan, North Carolina and Minnesota completed the top five states, in that order.
- In 2020, estimated recreational boat sales totalled 318,550 units, an increase of 12.5 per cent compared to 2019, and the highest unit sales level since 2008.
- Outboard boats (up 14 per cent), personal watercraft (up 8.3 per cent) and wake sport boats (up 21.4 per cent) led retail unit sales of new powerboats.
The remaining sections, and the full edition (digital and printed) of the 2020 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, will be available later this summer.
