16 • April 2025 • Powersports Business

NMMA recently hosted a members-only webinar to provide an overview of recent and upcoming trade and tariff developments and their potential impacts on the recreational boating industry.

With trade and tariff policies rapidly evolving, NMMA’ s advocacy team and outside legal counsel underscored the importance of proactive preparation, supply chain assessment, and engagement with policymakers.

The briefing featured NMMA Senior Director of Public Policy Clay Crabtree, partner at K & L Gates and former trade specialist with the U. S. Department of Commerce Nate Bolin, and NMMA Vice President of Government Relations Jacky Usyk.

The all-new JetBlaster Series took home the Boating Writers International Innovation Award, recognized for its cutting-edge three-piece deck design and unmatched performance.

“ Yamaha’ s new JetBlaster WaveRunner Series prioritizes practicality and function for consumers, dealers, and service providers. As an entry-level offering, the three-piece deck system and the removable mid-deck makes maintenance and customization easier at all stages. From a performance perspective, the Jet- Blaster’ s lightweight truly delivers a PWC that’ s fun for everyone

During the webinar, NMMA outlined the trade policy changes already in effect or on the horizon, including: a 25 % tariff on non-USMCA-compliant imports from Canada and Mexico, effective March 4.

An additional 20 % duty on Chinese imports, layered atop existing Section 301 tariffs, resulting in effective rates of up to 45 % on some products, effective March 4.

Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, at 25 % each, now expanded to derivative products, effective March 12.

The European Union’ s current plan to impose retaliatory tariffs on U. S.-built boats – ranging from 25 % to 50 % depending on boat type – beginning mid-April. Canada’ s anticipated implementation of

retaliatory tariffs targeting U. S. goods in early April. A new 25 % tariff on goods

– from first-time riders to adrenaline junkies and performance racers,” says judge Kim Knudsen.

The Innovation Awards are managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association( NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International. The award honors manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products for the boating industry to market. The awards were presented at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show and the Minneapolis Boat Show. This year’ s awards featured 12 categories, including personal watercraft, towable boats and others.

NMMA recently hosted a webinar to provide an overview of recent and upcoming trade and tariff developments and their potential impacts on the recreational boating industry. Photo courtesy of NMMA

from countries that import Venezuelan oil, effective April 2. In 2023, China bought 68 % of the oil exported from Venezuela.

The webinar also addressed anticipated developments, including the administration’ s forthcoming reciprocal tariff program announced on April 2.

NMMA has been actively engaging the administration and Congress to advocate for a targeted and nuanced approach to trade policies that preserve American competitiveness and protect domestic marine jobs.

Yamaha took home the BWI Innvation Award for the JetBlaster Series.( Photo: Yamaha Marine)

National Marine Manufacturers Association( NMMA) has released its Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary report, offering an analysis of recreational boating powerboat unit sales and key economic indicators through December 2024. These monthly NMMA reports cover a rolling 12−month period, and the latest version for December offers a full look at the calendar year 2024, confirming estimates for retail and wholesale sales declines.

The monthly report is based on data from NMMA member manufacturers and state governments in partnership with Info-Link and provides a timely and detailed wholesale and retail analysis.

The December 2024 report states that new powerboat retail sales in 2024 fell by 9.1 %, totaling 231,576 units. This significant year-over-year decline was influenced by economic pressures and fluctuating consumer confidence.

Growth in single-family construction: Despite elevated mortgage rates and tight lending standards for construction and

development loans, new single-family construction ended 2024 on a strong note. As the new year progresses, the construction industry is seeing an easing in the regulatory environment and tax cuts as tailwinds and tariffs and higher deficits as dampening momentum. NMMA monitors single-family housing starts given correlations to boat buying consumers.

Softening economic indicators: While demand remained in key areas, broader economic indicators affecting the boating industry remained in the“ caution” category, signifying concerns over market stability and continued uncertainty.

From the close of 2024 to first quarter 2025, economic volatility has had a noticeable

The December 2024 NMMA report states that new powerboat retail sales in 2024 fell by 9.1 %, totaling 231,576 units.( Image courtesy of NMMA) impact on consumer sentiment. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index declined 7 points in February to 98.3, marking the largest monthly decline since August 2021. This is the third consecutive monthly decline, bringing the index to the bottom of the range that has prevailed since 2022.

Info-Link Technologies recently reported that as of year-end 2024, the median age of current boat owners in the U. S. is 60 years old, with more boat owners in their 70s than in their 40s.

“ The latest economic news, coupled with the median age milestone, reinforce the importance of industry-wide efforts to generate category awareness and excite potential boaters and watersports enthusiasts, while retaining existing boaters through Discover Boating and related efforts from Take Me Fishing, especially in down cycles as this is key to maintaining our momentum and sustaining long-term growth,” says Ellen Bradley, chief brand officer of NMMA.

“ NMMA’ s monthly data reports offer a glimpse into market conditions, however, we also need greater visibility into participation and changing consumer behavior as we work to engage next-generation boaters. These are two priorities for Discover Boating in the coming year, as we work to boost demand and support members and the larger industry in making informed decisions related to everything from marketing to new product development.”