Unit sales should reach 222,300 this year, compared to 203,300 last year
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) said it expects powerboat and personal watercraft sales to reach 222,300 units this year. That compares with an estimated figure of 203,300 units in 2012.
NMMA President Thom Dammrich gave these and other figures impacting US boating in his annual State of the US Recreational Boating Industry address this morning at the Miami International Boat Show (MIBS).
The trade association expects the US industry to sell 171,300 powerboats and 55,000 personal watercraft in 2013, compared to 156,870 boats and 46,400 personal watercraft last year. It also said that, among that total, it expects 141,400 will be outboard-powered boats–46,500 fiberglass and 94,900 aluminium.
Dammrich sounded more upbeat than in the last five years, saying that boat show exhibitors are reporting a return of buyers, and that boats of all sizes and price points are selling. “This is the first real sign of positive sentiment among consumers since the recession,” he said.
The growth in boating is part of a larger trend in outdoors participation, said Dammrich. “Over 140m Americans make outdoor recreation a priority in their daily lives,” he said. “Americans spend US$646bn annually on outdoor recreation.” (https://plus.ibinews.com, 14 February 2013)