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Economic pressure maintains grip on boating demand, NMMA's May Report finds

by National Marine Manufacturers Association 15 Aug 2025 07:59 PDT

NMMA's latest Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary, which highlights data on a 12-month rolling basis, June 2024 through May 2025, reflects ongoing headwinds in retail powerboat unit sales as economic pressures remain a key concern.

New powerboat retail unit sales declined 10.2% year-to-date (Jan.-May 2025), with 98,065 units sold compared to 109,212 in the same period last year.

Data in the latest report includes:

  • Segment level softness was broad-based with new pontoon boat retail unit sales down 15.7%, new jet boat retail unit sales declined 20% and new wake sport boat retail unit sales dropped 14% year-to-date.
  • Segments showing relative stability year-to-date were retail unit sales of freshwater fishing boats(-2.9%) and yachts (-2.6%).

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