The U.S. recreational boating industry has reported that the 2012 year has seen a 10 percent increase in power boat sales, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. This increase appears to be the first sign of healthy growth in the industry since the recession. The boating industry has promising projections for 2013, with as much as a 10 percent growth throughout the year, as long as the economy continues to improve. Thom Dammrich, president of the NMMA, stated that, “Improving economic conditions and what seems to be a resurgence in Americans' love for the outdoors, helped fuel steady growth in new power boat sales in 2012.”
Another factor leading to the surge of boating recreation may have to do with the new trend of boats being built to appeal to people with modest budgets. These boats, although smaller than traditional boats, make up 96 percent of the 12.4 million boats that are currently registered in the U.S. The creation of these all-purpose entry-level boats have attracted a lot of consumers that couldn't previously afford to boat. In 2011, boating saw a 10 percent increase which set the number of people on the water to 83 million, which was the largest number of boaters since 1997.
