Heading into 2026 with measured expectations
by National Marine Manufacturers Association 9 Dec 2025 08:53 PST
Recreational Boating Economic Indicators © National Marine Manufacturers Association
As 2026 approaches, the economy is sending mixed signals to the recreational boating industry. Industry executives see a more predictable environment taking shape, supported by stable demand and firmer revenue expectations. Households, meanwhile, are contending with elevated costs and growing uncertainty about future conditions. These contrasting views create a more complete—and more nuanced—picture of the path ahead for the boating industry.
NMMA's Q3 2025 Marine Leadership Barometer shows an industry that has moved decisively out of crisis mode and cautiously into a more stable environment. Short-term pessimism about the broader economy has eased, with fewer leaders expecting deterioration over the next three months and more anticipating steady conditions. Forty percent of executives now hold a positive twelve-month outlook, up from 32% in Q2, and negative sentiment has fallen sharply. At the same time, roughly 60% of leaders expect their own company's revenue to grow over the next year, while only a small minority expect declines.
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