The boating industry is strong, according to just-released data from the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Its annual report says recreational boating generated $36.7 billion in retail spending during 2013, a 3.2 percent increase over 2012.
About 166,800 new powerboats and sailboats were sold, with ski and wakeboard boats topping the list. Also noteworthy is that 2013 was the first time since the start of the recession in 2009 that the ratio of pre-owned to new boat sales decreased — meaning more people wanted new boats again.
More than a third of American adults (about 88.5 million people) participated in recreational boating during 2013. Who spent the most to indulge the boating habit?
According to the NMMA, the Top 10 states for boat spending were:
1) Florida, spending more than $1.9 billion
2) Texas, spending more than $1.1 billion
3) Michigan, spending more than $650 million
4) Delaware, spending more than $567 million
5) Minnesota, spending more than $554 million
6) New York, spending more than $547 million
7) Wisconsin, spending more than $516 million
8) North Carolina, spending more than $505 million
9) Louisiana, spending more than $475 million
10) California, spending more than $428 million
The NMMA’s full U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is scheduled for release June 1. Learn more at www.nmma.org.
