Study: Michigan Boating Industry Drives $10.2B in Economic Activity, 45,000 Jobs

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the leading trade association representing North American recreational boat, marine engine, and accessory manufacturers, today announced the growing economic impact of the recreational boating industry across the United States.

The 2023 NMMA study reveals recreational boating saw a 36 percent increase in annual economic activity to $230 billion in 2023 from 2018's $170 billion, and a 14 percent jump in recreational marine industry-related jobs to 812,000 in 2023 from 691,000 in 2018.

The leap comes on the heels of record growth in recreational boating between 2020 and 2022 as Americans increasingly prioritized outdoor recreation, mental health, and time with family and friends throughout the pandemic.

The industry's momentum is expected to hold steady in 2023 with sales of new and pre-owned boats on par with 2022 as Americans remain focused on outdoor experiences.

"Recreational boating and fishing are a major economic engine in the U.S., and the latest economic analysis underscores the extraordinary growth and demand our industry has experienced coming out of the pandemic," says Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the NMMA.

"The profound impact the past few years have had on our industry cannot be denied as we’ve seen Americans seek out boating and fishing in record numbers, driving significant economic output and supporting tens of thousands of small businesses and nearly a million jobs."

States leading the nation with the highest economic activity and job growth from recreational boating include:

The U.S. recreational boating industry sold just more than 260,000 new powerboats and more than 1 million pre-owned boats in 2022, ranging from small aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats to pontoons and family cruising and watersports boats. Recreational boating is a uniquely American-made industry with an estimated 95 percent of boats sold in the U.S. being made in the U.S.

Approximately 61 percent of U.S. boat owners have an annual household income of $75,000 or less. What's more, the majority of the 12 million registered boats (95 percent) in the U.S. are smaller than 26 feet in length and are towed by their owners to local waterways.

"With summer on the horizon, we’re anticipating healthy boating participation with more than 85 million people estimated to take to the water in the U.S. amid Americans’ continued appetite for the outdoors and unique experiences," notes Hugelmeyer.

"With healthy boating participation comes continued economic activity across the recreational boating eco-system, from marinas and harbors to hospitality and tourism and manufacturing and service — lifting up vital small businesses and jobs and the local communities they support."

The 2023 NMMA-produced economic impact study was conducted with economic research firm John Dunham and Associates and includes all marine companies and businesses related to the manufacture, rental, sale, distribution, maintenance, financing, insurance, repair, and storage of recreational boats, marine engines, and marine accessories in the United States.

Member companies of the NMMA produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, marine accessories, and gear used by millions of boaters in North America.

For more information, visit nmma.org.