Earlier this month, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced an increase in U.S. recreational boat sales that is expected to surge through 2018, among other trends. Specifically, NMMA announced that it expects unit sales of new powerboats to increase between six and seven percent, and for recreational boating industry dollar sales to rise between 10 to 11 percent.
“With the U.S. boating industry having one of its strongest years in the last decade, and manufacturers saying, ‘we’re back!’, it’s likely we will reflect on this period as a golden age for our economy and our industry,” saysThom Dammrich, NMMA president. “Looking ahead, 2017 is likely to bring new dollar and unit sales gains on par with or better than 2016, and this trend will likely continue through 2018.”
The NMMA also announced four boating trends it predicts will be big in 2017. These include: A growth in popularity among yachts and large cruising boats; more affordable and versatile boats that appeal to younger boaters; an increase of more intuitive marine technology; and more “shared experiences” in boating.
To learn more, visit nmma.org.
[Photo by Ron Cogswell/Flickr]
