CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--There’s no better way to beat the heat of the long days of summer than spending time on a boat. With summer vacation season in full swing across the country, more Americans are taking to the water to cruise, sail, fish, and participate in water sports including waterskiing, wakeboarding, riding personal watercraft, and the latest trend, wakesurfing. In 2013, 89 million Americans went boating, one of the highest numbers on record, and marinas across the country have reported a spike in activity this summer, primarily due to pent up demand after a brutal winter in many parts of the country.
Spending time on the water elicits the desire to purchase or finance a boat and with boat show season kicking off around the country in September, there’s no better time to start shopping. Discover Boating, a non-profit dedicated to helping people get started in boating, has seen a spike in interest with a 46% increase in boat buying inquiries via DiscoverBoating.com.
“We tend to see a spike in new boater interest in the summer,” said Discover Boating President Carl Blackwell. “And this summer, we’re seeing even more Americans turn to boating, likely a result of a continuously improving economy combined with the introduction of a variety of innovative new boats at all price points and new, non-traditional avenues for becoming a boater from boat clubs to shared ownership.”
Early estimates from the National Marine Manufacturers Association show that as of June, new small fiberglass day boats, pontoon boats, aluminum fishing boats, and ski boats are seeing a surge in sales with a combined increase of 9% over the same period last year (June 2012-June 2013 compared to June 2013-June 2014). Personal watercraft (brands like Jet Ski, WaveRunner, and Sea-Doo) saw an increase of approximately 26% during that same period. NMMA anticipates the boating industry will close 2014 with an increase of 5-7% in new powerboat sales over last year.
“Boats are more versatile and are being offered at more price points than ever—some with a purchase price as low as $20,000 or financing that allows for new boaters to spend $200 per month, and so boating enthusiasts are finding it’s the right time to invest in the lifestyle they love,” said Blackwell.
Buyers looking for an alternative way to join the boating lifestyle are also finding it’s the right time with options ranging from boat clubs, shared ownership, boat charters, peer-to-peer rentals, and schools. These types of options are growing in popularity with more and more outposts opening around the U.S.
For additional information on getting started, visit DiscoverBoating.com or head to an upcoming boat show. For a full list of boat shows, visit boatshows.com.
About NMMA: National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit NMMA.org.
About Discover Boating:
Discover Boating is a national boating awareness campaign developed by the North American recreational boating industry to help get people on the water. Discover Boating programs focus on the boating experience and building interest in recreational boating by providing a resource for Americans to explore the benefits, accessibility and fun of the boating lifestyle. To find out more, visit DiscoverBoating.com.
