Recreational Boating in the US by Product and Region, 11th Edition

Personal Watercraft: The Rec Lite Movement

Rec Boating

For most new boat buyers, price is an important consideration. Even a small vessel is a big investment. Hoping to relieve monetary stress and appeal to new demographics, manufacturers of personal watercraft have released entry-level models known as Rec Lite in recent years, including the Sea-Doo SPARK and the WaveRunner EX series. By offering a high performing vessel at a more affordable price, personal watercraft now appeal to a larger customer base.

Key Findings in the Recreational Boating Study:

Consumer Spending and Access to Credit Spur Boat Purchases

Years of steady improvement in the US economy have offered consumers the financial flexibility to purchase a first new boat or upgrade from an older vessel. Moreover, interest rates remain relatively low, making credit more affordable, and home values and equity are increasing, giving homeowners more value on which to finance luxury purchases. Looking forward, the health of the US economy will be vital to the boating industry’s growth.

Outboards Have Fueled the Boating Industry Recovery

As the industry continues to recover, outboard powerboats have steadily taken market share from other powerboats, particularly sterndrive. Moreover, the popularity of outboards has prevented inboards from reaching pre-recession shares of demand. While outboards have always held a significant portion of the market, consumer demand has expanded in recent years. Outboard motors are favored for their low price, performance, easy maintenance, and upgradability. They also allow for more room on the boat for activities. Moreover, many boat companies now offer multiple outboard engines, enabling their use in larger boats that require greater power.

Technology Has Made Boating Easier

Boats are increasingly augmented with features like joystick controls, digital throttles, virtual anchors, and digital dashboards. These innovations have allowed experienced boaters to focus more on their recreational activity. Furthermore, they provide novices with added confidence when making a first-time boat purchase.

Study Coverage

This study presents historical data (2007, 2012, and 2017) and forecasts for 2022 by product (recreational boats, propulsion systems, boating accessories) and by region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West) in units and US dollars. Recreational boats include outboard powerboats, inboard powerboats, sterndrive powerboats, personal watercraft, sailboats, and other types of boats. The study also evaluates key industry players, market shares and analysis of consumer survey data.

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  1. Recreational Boating in the US by Product and Region, 11th Edition

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    1. 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      $156.00

      1. Figure 1-1 | Key Trends in the US Recreational Boating Market

    2. 2 OVERVIEW

      $2,542.00

      1. 2.1 Key Findings

        $82.00

        1. Figure 2-1 | Key Trends in Recreational Boating Products

      2. 2.2 Recreational Boating Supply & Demand Overview

        $285.00

        1. 2.2.1 Historical Trends

          $139.00

          1. Figure 2-2 | Recreational Boating Product Market, 2007 - 2022

        2. 2.2.2 Supply & Demand Forecast

          $144.00

          1. Table | Recreational Boating Product Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

      3. 2.3 Traditional Boat Owners and Efforts to Expand Base

        $463.00

        1. 2.3.1 Traditional Boat Owner Profile

          $84.00

        2. 2.3.2 Gender and Race Profile

          $82.00

          1. Table | Race and Gender of Consumers Whose Household Owns a Boat, 2017

        3. 2.3.3 Age Trends

          $82.00

          1. Table | Age of Consumers Whose Household Owns a Boat, 2017

        4. 2.3.4 Income Trends

          $82.00

          1. Table | Income of Households That Own a Boat, 2017

        5. 2.3.5 Efforts to Expand Base

          $189.00

      4. 2.4 Boating Activity Trends

        $220.00

        1. 2.4.1 Boating Activity Trends Overview

          $82.00

        2. 2.4.2 Fishing

          $95.00

          1. Figure 2-3 | Freshwater Fishing Demographic Profile

          2. Table | Race and Gender of Freshwater Fishing Participants

        3. 2.4.3 Water Activities

          $90.00

          1. Table | Age of Water Activity Participants in Last 12 Months

          2. Figure 2-4 | Age of Water Activity Participants in Last 12 Months

      5. 2.5 Recreational Boat Retail Sales

        $90.00

        1. Table | Recreational Boat Retail Sales, 2007 - 2022

      6. 2.6 Recreational Boats in Use

        $188.00

        1. Table | Recreational Boats in Use by Type, 2007 - 2022

      7. 2.7 Pricing

        $216.00

        1. Table | Selected Recreational Boat Prices, 2007 - 2022

        2. Figure 2-5 | Price Volatility for New Recreational Boats, 2007 - 2022

      8. 2.8 Technology

        $338.00

        1. 2.8.1 Technology Overview

          $82.00

        2. 2.8.2 Engines & Engine Controls

          $168.00

          1. Figure 2-6 | SeaStar Solutions' Optimus 360 Joystick

        3. 2.8.3 Electronics

          $144.00

          1. Figure 2-7 | Mercury Marine's VesselView Display

          2. Figure 2-8 | Humminbird's HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N

          3. Figure 2-9 | Malibu's Surf Band

      9. 2.9 Regulatory & Safety Issues

        $370.00

        1. 2.9.1 Regulatory & Safety Overview

          $108.00

        2. 2.9.2 Emissions & Noise Issues

          $89.00

        3. 2.9.3 Wildlife & Environmental Protection Issues

          $92.00

        4. 2.9.4 Safety Issues

          $82.00

      10. 2.10 Global Outlook

        $100.00

      11. 2.11 Trade

        $240.00

        1. Table | US Recreational Boating Foreign Trade, 2007 - 2022

    3. 3 RECREATIONAL BOATS

      $3,473.00

      1. 3.1 Key Findings

        $82.00

        1. Figure 3-1 | Key Trends in Recreational Boats

      2. 3.2 Supply & Demand by Boat Type

        $3,436.00

        1. 3.2.1 Overview

          $82.00

        2. 3.2.2 Supply & Demand Forecast

          $206.00

          1. Table | Recreational Boat Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

          2. Figure 3-2 | Demand for Recreational Boats: Volume & Value, 2017

        3. 3.2.3 Outboard Powerboats

          $1,060.00

          1. Figure 3-3 | Outboard, Inboard, and Sterndrive Powerboats Volume Share Comparison, 2007 - 2022

          2. Table | Outboard Powerboat Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

          3. Table | Outboard Powerboat Demand by Product, 2007 - 2022

          4. Figure 3-4 | Outboard Powerboat Demand by Product, 2017 - 2022

          5. Table | Pontoon Boats Demand, 2007 - 2022

          6. Table | Fish & Ski Boats Demand, 2007 - 2022

          7. Table | Bass Boats Demand, 2007 - 2022

          8. Table | Center Console Boats Demand, 2007 - 2022

          9. Table | Runabouts Demand, 2007 - 2022

          10. Table | Other Boats Demand, 2007 - 2022

          11. Table | Selected Outboard Powerboat Producers

        4. 3.2.4 Inboard Powerboats

          $627.00

          1. Table | Inboard Powerboat Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

          2. Figure 3-5 | Inboard Powerboat Volume Demand by Product, 2007 - 2017

          3. Table | Inboard Cabin Cruiser Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

          4. Table | Runabout & Other Inboard Powerboat Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

          5. Table | Selected Inboard Powerboat Producers

        5. 3.2.5 Sterndrive Powerboats

          $315.00

          1. Table | Sterndrive Powerboat Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

          2. Figure 3-6 | Sterndrive Powerboat Volume Demand, 2007 - 2017

          3. Table | Selected Sterndrive Powerboat Producers

        6. 3.2.6 Personal Watercraft

          $428.00

          1. Table | Personal Watercraft Regulatory & Safety Issues

          2. Table | Personal Watercraft Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

          3. Figure 3-7 | Personal Watercraft Market, 2007 - 2017

          4. Table | Selected Personal Watercraft Producers

        7. 3.2.7 Sailboats

          $362.00

          1. Table | Sailboat Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

          2. Figure 3-8 | Sailboat Market, 2007 - 2017

          3. Table | Sailboat Demand by Design, 2007 - 2022

          4. Table | Sailboat Demand by Length, 2007 - 2022

          5. Table | Selected Sailboat Producers

        8. 3.2.8 Other Recreational Boats

          $406.00

          1. Table | Other Recreational Boats Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

          2. Figure 3-9 | Other Recreational Boats Market, 2007 - 2017

    4. 4 PROPULSION SYSTEMS & BOATING ACCESSORIES

      $1,660.00

      1. 4.1 Key Findings

        $82.00

        1. Figure 4-1 | Key Trends in Propulsion Systems & Boating Accessories

      2. 4.2 Overview

        $82.00

        1. Table | Propulsion Systems and Boating Accessories Overview

      3. 4.3 Propulsion Systems

        $1,186.00

        1. 4.3.1 Regulatory & Overview

          $191.00

        2. 4.3.2 Supply & Demand Forecast

          $148.00

          1. Table | Propulsion System Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

        3. 4.3.3 OEM Propulsion Systems

          $654.00

          1. Table | OEM Propulsion System Demand, 2007 - 2022

          2. Figure 4-2 | Evinrude's E-TEC G2 200-Horsepower Outboard Engine

          3. Table | OEM Outboard Propulsion System Demand, 2007 - 2022

          4. Table | Selected Outboard Propulsion System Producers

          5. Table | OEM Inboard & Sterndrive Propulsion System Demand, 2007 - 2022

          6. Table | Selected Inboard & Sterndrive Propulsion System Producers

        4. 4.3.4 Repower Propulsion Systems

          $192.00

          1. Table | Repower Propulsion System Demand, 2007 - 2022

      4. 4.4 Boating Accessories

        $366.00

        1. 4.4.1 Overview

          $82.00

        2. 4.4.2 Supply & Demand Forecast

          $122.00

          1. Table | Boating Accessory Supply & Demand, 2007 - 2022

          2. Figure 4-3 | Boating Accessories Market, 2007 - 2017

        3. 4.4.3 Navigational & Electric

          $82.00

          1. Figure 4-4 | Lowrance's Hook2 12 TripleShot Transducer

        4. 4.4.4 Trailers

          $95.00

        5. 4.4.5 Other Accessories

          $82.00

    5. 5 REGIONS

      $1,750.00

      1. 5.1 Key Findings

        $82.00

        1. Figure 5-1 | Key Regional Trends in Recreational Boating

      2. 5.2 Regional Trends

        $281.00

        1. 5.2.1 Overview

          $82.00

        2. 5.2.2 Economic

          $91.00

          1. Table | US Personal Consumption Expenditures by Region, 2007 - 2022

        3. 5.2.3 Population

          $82.00

          1. Table | Population by Region, 2007 - 2022

        4. 5.2.4 Boat Ownership

          $82.00

          1. Table | Share of Consumers Whose Household Owns a Boat by Region, 2017

      3. 5.3 Demand by Region

        $142.00

        1. Table | Recreational Boating Demand by Region, 2007 - 2022

        2. Figure 5-2 | Recreational Boating Demand by Region, 2017

      4. 5.4 Northeast

        $290.00

        1. 5.4.1 Northeast: Overview

          $142.00

          1. Figure 5-3 | Northeast Recreational Boating Market Position

          2. Table | Northeast Recreational Boating Demand by Subregion & Product, 2007 - 2022

        2. 5.4.2 New England

          $82.00

        3. 5.4.3 Middle Atlantic

          $82.00

      5. 5.5 Midwest

        $308.00

        1. 5.5.1 Midwest: Overview

          $152.00

          1. Figure 5-4 | Midwest Recreational Boating Market Position

          2. Table | Midwest Recreational Boating Demand by Subregion & Product, 2007 - 2022

        2. 5.5.2 East North Central

          $82.00

        3. 5.5.3 West North Central

          $85.00

      6. 5.6 South

        $391.00

        1. 5.6.1 South: Overview

          $146.00

          1. Figure 5-5 | South Recreational Boating Market Position

          2. Table | South Recreational Boating Demand by Subregion & Product, 2007 - 2022

        2. 5.6.2 South Atlantic

          $94.00

        3. 5.6.3 East South Central

          $82.00

        4. 5.6.4 West South Central

          $83.00

      7. 5.7 West

        $300.00

        1. 5.7.1 West: Overview

          $143.00

          1. Figure 5-6 | West Recreational Boating Market Position

          2. Table | West Recreational Boating Demand by Subregion & Product, 2007 - 2022

        2. 5.7.2 Mountain

          $82.00

        3. 5.7.3 Pacific

          $82.00

    6. 6 INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

      $2,821.00

      1. 6.1 Key Findings & Industry Composition

        $131.00

        1. Table | US Recreational Boating Product Sales by Company, 2017

      2. 6.2 Market Share

        $493.00

        1. 6.2.1 Overview

          $89.00

          1. Figure 6-1 | US Recreational Boating Market Share, 2017

        2. 6.2.2 Brunswick

          $82.00

          1. Figure 6-2 | Recreational Boating: Leading Supplier

        3. 6.2.3 Yamaha Motor

          $82.00

          1. Figure 6-3 | Recreational Boating: Second Leading Supplier

        4. 6.2.4 Second Tier Suppliers

          $184.00

        5. 6.2.5 Other Leading Suppliers

          $82.00

      3. 6.3 Competitive Strategies

        $159.00

        1. Table | Competitive Strategies in the US Recreational Boating Industry

      4. 6.4 Product Development

        $93.00

      5. 6.5 Manufacturing

        $85.00

      6. 6.6 Distribution

        $113.00

      7. 6.7 Marketing

        $198.00

      8. 6.8 Mergers & Acquisitions

        $136.00

        1. Table | Selected Acquisitions & Divestitures

      9. 6.9 Cooperative Agreements

        $139.00

        1. Table | Selected Cooperative Agreements

      10. 6.10 List of Industry Participants

        $1,271.00

    7. 7 APPENDIX

      $1,334.00

      1. 7.1 Scope

        $223.00

        1. Table | Study Scope: US Geographic Regions & Subregions

        2. Table | Relevant Industry Codes

      2. 7.2 Methodology

        $82.00

      3. 7.3 Sources

        $82.00

      4. 7.4 Associations & Agencies

        $82.00

      5. 7.5 Related Freedonia Group Studies

        $82.00

        1. 7.5.1 US Studies

          $82.00

        2. 7.5.2 Global Studies

          $82.00

      6. 7.6 Definitions

        $128.00

        1. 7.6.1 General

          $82.00

        2. 7.6.2 Recreational Boats

          $82.00

        3. 7.6.3 Propulsion Systems & Boating Accessories

          $82.00

      7. 7.7 Abbreviations

        $82.00

        1. Table | Abbreviations & Acronyms Used in Study

      8. 7.8 Macroeconomic Assumptions

        $756.00

        1. 7.8.1 Economic Environment

          $142.00

          1. Table | Macroeconomic Indicators, 2007 - 2022

          2. Figure 7-1 | Annual Growth in Real GDP, 2000 - 2017, Compared to 1980 - 2005 Average

        2. 7.8.2 Demographics

          $152.00

          1. Table | Population & Households, 2007 - 2022

          2. Figure 7-2 | Annual Population Growth, 2002 - 2017

        3. 7.8.3 Consumer Spending

          $114.00

          1. Table | Personal Consumption Expenditures, 2007 - 2022

        4. 7.8.4 Consumer Financing

          $340.00

          1. Table | Consumer Financing Environment, 2007 - 2017

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