GITNUXREPORT 2026

Boating Industry Statistics

The recreational boating industry has a strong economic impact and is increasingly adopting new technologies.

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

New powerboat sales in U.S. reached 258,000 units in 2023

Statistic 2

U.S. boat registrations totaled 12 million in 2022

Statistic 3

Pre-owned boat sales 10% higher than new in 2023

Statistic 4

53 million Americans participated in boating in 2022

Statistic 5

Pontoon boat sales up 15% in U.S. 2023

Statistic 6

Jet ski/PWC sales 85,000 units in U.S. 2023

Statistic 7

Average boat price in U.S. $45,000 for new in 2023

Statistic 8

Boat ownership households 10% of U.S. total in 2022

Statistic 9

New fiberglass bass boat sales 25,000 units 2023

Statistic 10

U.S. boat show attendance 1.2 million in 2023

Statistic 11

Multi-hull boat sales grew 20% in 2023

Statistic 12

Average age of boats in U.S. fleet 18 years in 2022

Statistic 13

Canadian boat registrations 1.5 million in 2023

Statistic 14

Youth boat ownership up 12% since 2019

Statistic 15

Trailerable boat sales 70% of total U.S. new sales

Statistic 16

Luxury yacht sales 500 units globally in 2023

Statistic 17

Electric boat sales tripled in 2023 U.S.

Statistic 18

Sailboat sales 15,000 units U.S. 2023

Statistic 19

Boat loan originations $4 billion in 2022

Statistic 20

First-time buyers 23% of new boat sales 2023

Statistic 21

PWC ownership 3 million in U.S. 2022

Statistic 22

Offshore fishing boat sales up 8% 2023

Statistic 23

Boat trade-ins increased 18% in 2023

Statistic 24

Women boat owners 27% in U.S. 2023 survey

Statistic 25

Millennial boat buyers 35% of sales 2023

Statistic 26

Dinghy sales 40,000 units U.S. 2023

Statistic 27

Boat clubs membership 200,000 in U.S. 2023

Statistic 28

U.S. boating industry supports 891,000 jobs in 2023

Statistic 29

Boating contributes $230 billion to U.S. GDP annually

Statistic 30

Marine manufacturing employs 650,000 workers U.S. 2023

Statistic 31

Boating tourism generates $44 billion yearly U.S.

Statistic 32

Dealer network supports 75,000 jobs in U.S.

Statistic 33

$18 billion in federal, state, local tax revenue from boating 2023

Statistic 34

Aftermarket sector adds $37 billion to economy 2023

Statistic 35

Marina industry employs 40,000 U.S. workers 2022

Statistic 36

Boatbuilding exports support 25,000 jobs U.S.

Statistic 37

Fuel sales from boating $10 billion annually U.S.

Statistic 38

Charter business revenue $5 billion U.S. 2023

Statistic 39

Fishing tournaments economic impact $50 billion global

Statistic 40

Maintenance/repair services $25 billion U.S. 2023

Statistic 41

Boat shows generate $1.5 billion sales annually

Statistic 42

Apparel/accessories add $6 billion to economy

Statistic 43

Insurance industry from boating $3 billion premiums U.S.

Statistic 44

Real estate near marinas boosted $20 billion value

Statistic 45

Supply chain for boating supports 100,000 jobs

Statistic 46

State-level impact: Florida $23.3 billion GDP contribution

Statistic 47

Michigan boating economy $11 billion annually

Statistic 48

Retail sales from boating $50 billion U.S. 2023

Statistic 49

Labor income from industry $55 billion 2023

Statistic 50

International trade surplus $1.2 billion for U.S. boats

Statistic 51

35% growth in boating jobs since 2019

Statistic 52

Electric propulsion market creating 10,000 new jobs by 2030

Statistic 53

Autonomous boats expected to add $15 billion value by 2030

Statistic 54

Hybrid marine engines sales up 25% in 2023

Statistic 55

Smart boat tech adoption 40% among new boats 2023

Statistic 56

Rental platforms grew 30% post-COVID 2023

Statistic 57

Sustainable materials in boats up 18% usage 2023

Statistic 58

Drone integration for marinas 15% adoption 2023

Statistic 59

VR boat training programs used by 20% dealers 2023

Statistic 60

Biofuel use in marine engines doubled since 2020

Statistic 61

AI navigation systems in 12% luxury yachts 2023

Statistic 62

Peer-to-peer boat sharing apps 500,000 listings 2023

Statistic 63

Aluminum hull boats 28% market share growth 2023

Statistic 64

Women participation in boating up 25% since 2015

Statistic 65

Multi-generational boating families 45% of owners 2023

Statistic 66

Solar-powered boats sales +50% 2023

Statistic 67

Digital twins for boat design adopted by 30% builders

Statistic 68

E-foil and hydrofoil boards booming 40% sales 2023

Statistic 69

Connectivity/IoT in boats 55% new models 2023

Statistic 70

Regenerative braking in electric boats standardizing

Statistic 71

Catamaran popularity up 22% for charters 2023

Statistic 72

AR apps for fishing navigation 1 million downloads 2023

Statistic 73

Carbon fiber use in recreational boats +35% 2023

Statistic 74

Youth boating programs enrollment +18% 2023

Statistic 75

Autonomous docking tech in 8% new yachts 2023

Statistic 76

Hydrogen fuel cells tested in 50 pilot boats 2023

Statistic 77

Global boating market size valued at USD 35.2 billion in 2022

Statistic 78

U.S. recreational boating industry generated $121.5 billion in retail sales in 2019

Statistic 79

Boating market projected to grow at 5.2% CAGR from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 80

U.S. marine industry economic impact reached $230 billion in 2023

Statistic 81

Global pleasure boat market size was $32.4 billion in 2021

Statistic 82

North America holds 40% share of global boating market in 2022

Statistic 83

U.S. boat manufacturing revenue hit $15.8 billion in 2022

Statistic 84

European boating market valued at €25 billion in 2023

Statistic 85

Asia-Pacific boating market to reach $10 billion by 2028

Statistic 86

U.S. recreational marine aftermarket sales $8.5 billion in 2022

Statistic 87

Global superyacht market valued at $7.6 billion in 2022

Statistic 88

Canadian boating industry contributes CAD 2.5 billion annually

Statistic 89

Pontoon boat segment market size $1.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 90

Inflatable boat market reached $4.1 billion globally in 2022

Statistic 91

U.S. yacht market revenue $5.3 billion in 2023

Statistic 92

Boat rental market size $12.4 billion in 2023

Statistic 93

Marine engine market valued at $18.2 billion in 2022

Statistic 94

Global boat trailer market $3.5 billion in 2023

Statistic 95

U.S. personal watercraft market $2.1 billion in 2022

Statistic 96

Fishing boat market size $45 billion globally in 2023

Statistic 97

Sailboat market valued at $6.8 billion in 2022

Statistic 98

Kayak and canoe market $2.9 billion in 2023

Statistic 99

Electric boat market growing to $19.5 billion by 2030

Statistic 100

Boat accessories market $15.7 billion globally in 2022

Statistic 101

U.S. boat export value $2.4 billion in 2022

Statistic 102

Luxury boat market $28 billion in 2023

Statistic 103

Commercial boating sector $50 billion globally

Statistic 104

U.S. marina industry revenue $6.2 billion in 2022

Statistic 105

Global houseboat market $1.1 billion in 2023

Statistic 106

Boat insurance market $12 billion in 2022

Statistic 107

U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,040 boating accidents in 2022

Statistic 108

636 fatalities from boating incidents in U.S. 2022

Statistic 109

Alcohol involved in 17% of fatal boating accidents 2022

Statistic 110

82% of drowning victims in boating accidents wore no life jacket 2022

Statistic 111

Operator inattention caused 1,256 accidents in 2022 U.S.

Statistic 112

5,206 injuries reported from boating 2022

Statistic 113

Nighttime boating accidents 25% more fatal per hour 2022

Statistic 114

PFD wear rate 22.5% among adults in 2022 survey

Statistic 115

Small boats under 16ft involved in 40% accidents 2022

Statistic 116

Carbon monoxide poisoning caused 3 deaths in 2022

Statistic 117

Speeding led to 432 accidents in 2022 U.S.

Statistic 118

Child drownings in boating down 10% since 2010

Statistic 119

76% of fatal accidents involved open motorboats 2022

Statistic 120

Boating under influence arrests 472 in 2022

Statistic 121

Life jacket loaner programs reached 500,000 users 2023

Statistic 122

Weather contributed to 112 accidents 2022

Statistic 123

Kayak/canoe accidents 700 in 2022 U.S.

Statistic 124

Mechanical failure caused 273 accidents 2022

Statistic 125

Fires/explosions led to 252 accidents 2022

Statistic 126

Navigation rules violation 1,012 accidents 2022

Statistic 127

PWC accidents 1,036 in 2022 U.S.

Statistic 128

Boating fatality rate 5.3 per 100,000 users 2022

Statistic 129

90% of drownings among non-swimmers in boating

Statistic 130

Safety education reduced accidents 15% in states with mandates

1/130

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

Surfing through a sea of staggering numbers, the global boating industry is not just riding a wave of economic impact but navigating currents of profound technological and cultural change, from its $230 billion contribution to the U.S. economy to the electric boats and autonomous systems charting its future.

Key Takeaways

Global boating market size valued at USD 35.2 billion in 2022
U.S. recreational boating industry generated $121.5 billion in retail sales in 2019
Boating market projected to grow at 5.2% CAGR from 2023 to 2030
New powerboat sales in U.S. reached 258,000 units in 2023
U.S. boat registrations totaled 12 million in 2022
Pre-owned boat sales 10% higher than new in 2023
U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,040 boating accidents in 2022
636 fatalities from boating incidents in U.S. 2022
Alcohol involved in 17% of fatal boating accidents 2022
U.S. boating industry supports 891,000 jobs in 2023
Boating contributes $230 billion to U.S. GDP annually
Marine manufacturing employs 650,000 workers U.S. 2023
Autonomous boats expected to add $15 billion value by 2030
Hybrid marine engines sales up 25% in 2023
Smart boat tech adoption 40% among new boats 2023

The recreational boating industry has a strong economic impact and is increasingly adopting new technologies.

Boat Sales & Ownership

New powerboat sales in U.S. reached 258,000 units in 2023
U.S. boat registrations totaled 12 million in 2022
Pre-owned boat sales 10% higher than new in 2023
53 million Americans participated in boating in 2022
Pontoon boat sales up 15% in U.S. 2023
Jet ski/PWC sales 85,000 units in U.S. 2023
Average boat price in U.S. $45,000 for new in 2023
Boat ownership households 10% of U.S. total in 2022
New fiberglass bass boat sales 25,000 units 2023
U.S. boat show attendance 1.2 million in 2023
Multi-hull boat sales grew 20% in 2023
Average age of boats in U.S. fleet 18 years in 2022
Canadian boat registrations 1.5 million in 2023
Youth boat ownership up 12% since 2019
Trailerable boat sales 70% of total U.S. new sales
Luxury yacht sales 500 units globally in 2023
Electric boat sales tripled in 2023 U.S.
Sailboat sales 15,000 units U.S. 2023
Boat loan originations $4 billion in 2022
First-time buyers 23% of new boat sales 2023
PWC ownership 3 million in U.S. 2022
Offshore fishing boat sales up 8% 2023
Boat trade-ins increased 18% in 2023
Women boat owners 27% in U.S. 2023 survey
Millennial boat buyers 35% of sales 2023
Dinghy sales 40,000 units U.S. 2023
Boat clubs membership 200,000 in U.S. 2023

Boat Sales & Ownership Interpretation

Americans are clearly navigating toward fun on the water in growing numbers, though they're increasingly savvy about it, choosing pontoons, jet skis, and pre-owned vessels that keep the dream afloat without sinking the family budget.

Economic Impact

U.S. boating industry supports 891,000 jobs in 2023
Boating contributes $230 billion to U.S. GDP annually
Marine manufacturing employs 650,000 workers U.S. 2023
Boating tourism generates $44 billion yearly U.S.
Dealer network supports 75,000 jobs in U.S.
$18 billion in federal, state, local tax revenue from boating 2023
Aftermarket sector adds $37 billion to economy 2023
Marina industry employs 40,000 U.S. workers 2022
Boatbuilding exports support 25,000 jobs U.S.
Fuel sales from boating $10 billion annually U.S.
Charter business revenue $5 billion U.S. 2023
Fishing tournaments economic impact $50 billion global
Maintenance/repair services $25 billion U.S. 2023
Boat shows generate $1.5 billion sales annually
Apparel/accessories add $6 billion to economy
Insurance industry from boating $3 billion premiums U.S.
Real estate near marinas boosted $20 billion value
Supply chain for boating supports 100,000 jobs
State-level impact: Florida $23.3 billion GDP contribution
Michigan boating economy $11 billion annually
Retail sales from boating $50 billion U.S. 2023
Labor income from industry $55 billion 2023
International trade surplus $1.2 billion for U.S. boats
35% growth in boating jobs since 2019
Electric propulsion market creating 10,000 new jobs by 2030

Economic Impact Interpretation

With nearly a million people employed and hundreds of billions added to our GDP, America's boating industry is clearly not just staying afloat—it's powering a colossal economic vessel that delivers everything from jobs and tax revenue to tourism and technological innovation.

Industry Trends

Autonomous boats expected to add $15 billion value by 2030
Hybrid marine engines sales up 25% in 2023
Smart boat tech adoption 40% among new boats 2023
Rental platforms grew 30% post-COVID 2023
Sustainable materials in boats up 18% usage 2023
Drone integration for marinas 15% adoption 2023
VR boat training programs used by 20% dealers 2023
Biofuel use in marine engines doubled since 2020
AI navigation systems in 12% luxury yachts 2023
Peer-to-peer boat sharing apps 500,000 listings 2023
Aluminum hull boats 28% market share growth 2023
Women participation in boating up 25% since 2015
Multi-generational boating families 45% of owners 2023
Solar-powered boats sales +50% 2023
Digital twins for boat design adopted by 30% builders
E-foil and hydrofoil boards booming 40% sales 2023
Connectivity/IoT in boats 55% new models 2023
Regenerative braking in electric boats standardizing
Catamaran popularity up 22% for charters 2023
AR apps for fishing navigation 1 million downloads 2023
Carbon fiber use in recreational boats +35% 2023
Youth boating programs enrollment +18% 2023
Autonomous docking tech in 8% new yachts 2023
Hydrogen fuel cells tested in 50 pilot boats 2023

Industry Trends Interpretation

While the boating industry is swiftly charting a course toward a high-tech, sustainable, and socially inclusive future—marked by everything from autonomous yachts and solar sails to rising family participation—it's clear we're sailing full-speed into an era where the traditional "captain" might soon be sharing the helm with AI, an electric motor, and a peer-to-peer rental app.

Market Size & Revenue

Global boating market size valued at USD 35.2 billion in 2022
U.S. recreational boating industry generated $121.5 billion in retail sales in 2019
Boating market projected to grow at 5.2% CAGR from 2023 to 2030
U.S. marine industry economic impact reached $230 billion in 2023
Global pleasure boat market size was $32.4 billion in 2021
North America holds 40% share of global boating market in 2022
U.S. boat manufacturing revenue hit $15.8 billion in 2022
European boating market valued at €25 billion in 2023
Asia-Pacific boating market to reach $10 billion by 2028
U.S. recreational marine aftermarket sales $8.5 billion in 2022
Global superyacht market valued at $7.6 billion in 2022
Canadian boating industry contributes CAD 2.5 billion annually
Pontoon boat segment market size $1.2 billion in 2023
Inflatable boat market reached $4.1 billion globally in 2022
U.S. yacht market revenue $5.3 billion in 2023
Boat rental market size $12.4 billion in 2023
Marine engine market valued at $18.2 billion in 2022
Global boat trailer market $3.5 billion in 2023
U.S. personal watercraft market $2.1 billion in 2022
Fishing boat market size $45 billion globally in 2023
Sailboat market valued at $6.8 billion in 2022
Kayak and canoe market $2.9 billion in 2023
Electric boat market growing to $19.5 billion by 2030
Boat accessories market $15.7 billion globally in 2022
U.S. boat export value $2.4 billion in 2022
Luxury boat market $28 billion in 2023
Commercial boating sector $50 billion globally
U.S. marina industry revenue $6.2 billion in 2022
Global houseboat market $1.1 billion in 2023
Boat insurance market $12 billion in 2022

Market Size & Revenue Interpretation

Even though we're all floating on blue, the figures make it clear we're floating on green, too, with a global economic tide strong enough to lift all boats from inflatable rafts to superyachts.

Safety Statistics

U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,040 boating accidents in 2022
636 fatalities from boating incidents in U.S. 2022
Alcohol involved in 17% of fatal boating accidents 2022
82% of drowning victims in boating accidents wore no life jacket 2022
Operator inattention caused 1,256 accidents in 2022 U.S.
5,206 injuries reported from boating 2022
Nighttime boating accidents 25% more fatal per hour 2022
PFD wear rate 22.5% among adults in 2022 survey
Small boats under 16ft involved in 40% accidents 2022
Carbon monoxide poisoning caused 3 deaths in 2022
Speeding led to 432 accidents in 2022 U.S.
Child drownings in boating down 10% since 2010
76% of fatal accidents involved open motorboats 2022
Boating under influence arrests 472 in 2022
Life jacket loaner programs reached 500,000 users 2023
Weather contributed to 112 accidents 2022
Kayak/canoe accidents 700 in 2022 U.S.
Mechanical failure caused 273 accidents 2022
Fires/explosions led to 252 accidents 2022
Navigation rules violation 1,012 accidents 2022
PWC accidents 1,036 in 2022 U.S.
Boating fatality rate 5.3 per 100,000 users 2022
90% of drownings among non-swimmers in boating
Safety education reduced accidents 15% in states with mandates

Safety Statistics Interpretation

While the data proves boating is statistically quite safe, it also soberly reminds us that most tragedies are predictable, preventable, and often involve a cocktail of inattention, poor judgment, and a stubborn refusal to wear what is essentially a Styrofoam superhero cape.