Enthusiasm for life on the water remains as the recreational boating industry navigates economic uncertainty and prepares for new opportunities in 2026.
fter several years of record demand driven by the Covid-19 pandemic, the recreational boating industry continues to adjust to a new normal. Throughout 2025, new retail sales softened while consumers spent cautiously during uncertain economic times.
But industry leaders remain optimistic as innovation, sustainability and shifting demographics open new opportunities for growth. Boating Industry spoke with industry leaders to learn their perspectives on the challenges influencing today’ s market and the opportunities ahead.
“ Year-to-date through mid-2025, new powerboat sales were down roughly 10 % compared to last year, reflecting a broader trend across other discretionary sectors, like RVs and home improvement,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of NMMA.“ The pressure is most evident in entry-level segments, where financing costs have the greatest impact.
“ That said, enthusiasm for life on the water remains resilient,” he continued.“ Boat usage, club memberships and shared ownership models continue to hold relatively steady, showing that Americans still value the wellness, connection and freedom that boating provides, even if they’ re delaying major purchases.”
Market overview
According to a Boating Industry survey, 36.8 % of respondents reported that overall revenue was slightly up in 2025 compared to 2024. An equal share of dealers( 19.3 %) reported revenue was flat or significantly down. Meanwhile, 21.1 % of respondents said revenue was slightly down, while just 3.5 % reported it was significantly up.
Unit sales were slightly down for the largest share of dealers( 29.8 %), though 28.1 % reported sales were slightly up. Another 21.1 % of respondents said unit sales were significantly down, and 17.5 % reported flat year-over-year performance.
Looking ahead, dealer sentiment appears positive. Nearly half of respondents( 48.1 %) expect overall revenue in 2026 to increase slightly, while 9.3 % anticipate a significant increase. Another 24.1 % expect revenue to remain flat compared to 2025. In contrast, a smaller share of dealers project a downturn, with 11.1 % expecting revenue to be slightly down and 7.4 % significantly down. www. boatingindustry. com january 2026
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