// MARKET TRENDS
While boat manufacturers work to improve the boating experience, RBFF is focused on building local community connections to keep people engaged in fishing and boating.
Research shows that most anglers fish close to home and value shared experiences, so RBFF is exploring how to help local retailers and agencies better support those communities through information, training and relationship-building.
RBFF is working with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and other stakeholders to pilot programs that connect state agencies, retailers, and industry partners. Initial projects are underway in West Virginia and Kentucky, using insights from RBFF’ s data to improve messaging, education and customer service.
“ We can connect those local communities, especially a boating community that’ s right there on the water,” Chanda said.“ It would be easy to connect them with a state agency to do a fishing clinic or a boating clinic or‘ How to trailer your boat’ in the community to keep it local. It’ s just good customer service to bring those people back.”
Ultimately, RBFF aims to create replicable models that tackle shops and boat dealers can use to strengthen community ties and grow long-term participation. The goal is to support all age groups and demographics.
“ Many times, a boat dealer sells a boat and then off you go, but they don’ t think about the fact that if you’ re a new boat owner, you need a lot of hand holding if you’ re really going to stay in the sport,” Chanda said.“ Maybe the boat dealership needs to do a better job of teaching you how to trailer your boat, launch your boat and bring that boat owner back and ask them how they’ re doing … It’ s just good customer relations.”
Multipurpose is the new norm
One of the biggest shared trends is the growing demand for versatile, multi-use boats. Both brands are leaning into hybrid designs that balance serious fishing capabilities with features for cruising, entertaining or family outings.
Scholz noted how Boston Whaler evolved from strictly fishing platforms to hybrid boats. This shift began after the Great Recession, and dual consoles like Whaler’ s Vantage line, which support a wide range of day boating activities, were well received by consumers.
“ We started adding more of those comfort amenities – bow seats, aft seats,” he said.“ It became a balance between having a boat that you could still seriously fish, but it also had the comfort and amenities to do other things besides just fishing.”
Lund sees a similar trend and its boats are increasingly designed to accommodate multiple family members and multiple use cases, from trolling on the lake to pulling family members on a tube.
“ We have a 17, 18 and 20-foot Impact and it’ s a great example of a boat where you can fish in the morning, and then recreate with the family in the afternoon,” Johnston said. The model offers aft and bow cushions and aft jump seats.
“ You can fish on the aft deck and then flip the seats up and you’ ve got additional seating,” he explained.“ You can go skiing as well. We put a lot of thought into that.” Lund also offers a Crossover model designed for fishing and recreational use.
RBFF’ s research shows that if anglers can fish while enjoying other hobbies like camping, reading or cooking, they are more likely to continue participating in the sport.“ We see a lot of opportunities to align fishing with other things that are important to you,” Chanda said.
In the boat market, this research supports the multipurpose vessel, which allows fishers to enjoy several interests at the same time.
Electrification and sustainability
Sustainability is another area where both manufacturers are innovating, though in different ways. Boston Whaler is focusing on electrification at the systems level, launching its lithium-ion generator replacement that charges from the engine’ s alternator and eliminates the need for a traditional gas or diesel generator.
Versitile, multi-use boats are a growing trend in the fishing boat market.
26 may 2025 www. boatingindustry. com