// MARKET TRENDS

Lund ' s Impact lineup provides anglers with a fishing boat capable of hosting their families for afternoon recreation.

Whaler sees first time buyers purchasing larger boats like those in the company ' s Outrage family.

Boston Whaler also employs closed molding and robotic gel coating in production, reducing emissions and improving material efficiency. Engine and hull design improvements also contribute to better fuel economy, a concern for both environmental and financial reasons.

“ Mercury has the Avator series of outboards that certainly serve those who want to have a lower carbon footprint, or maybe they’ re on a horsepower restricted lake,” Johnston said.

And electric trolling motors( 24V and 36V systems) are widely used by anglers and installed on nearly all Lund boats, either at the factory or dealership.

Lund designs lightweight, efficient aluminum riveted hulls, which require less horsepower to perform. This reduces fuel consumption and environmental impact. Lund is also close to being fully wood-free, part of a broader goal to reduce waste, improve boat longevity and boost fuel efficiency.

To cut waste and energy usage in its New York Mills facility, Lund uses automated, energy-efficient machinery and recently installed solar panels in partnership with a local power company.

Looking ahead

Johnston sees the future of boating being shaped by younger families looking to create memories on the water. To support this, manufacturers will focus on making boating more accessible and family-friendly. Automotive-style features and automation, like tech-assisted launching and docking, will become more common.

He expects innovations in boat layouts and features, like improved boarding ladders, versatile seating and designs that support both fishing and recreation.

“ I think you’ re going to see new materials go into boats as well,” he said.“ A lot of carpet and vinyl and things that have been used in the past. You’ re going to see some new coatings, new materials being used … Aesthetics plays a big part, but when you’ re in the fishing industry, it’ s got to last a long time, so longevity of those materials is critical.”

Boat club memberships and rental options like Freedom Boat Club are also becoming more popular and making it easier for more people to access the water.

The fishing boat segment is evolving in two directions – upmarket with bigger, more tech-heavy boats and inland with aluminum models. Across both, technology, versatility and sustainability are shaping the future. Manufacturers are responding with smarter systems, hybrid layouts and efforts to keep boating accessible and sustainable.

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