New Powerboat Registrations Up 3.3 Percent through May

| Statistics

NMMA’s New Powerboat Registration Report has been updated with data through May. Preliminary data from the report shows new powerboat registrations were up 3.3 percent through May on a rolling 12-month year-over-year basis and up 1 percent on a rolling 3-month year-over-year (R3M YOY) basis.

For the three months through May:

  • Personal watercraft led growth (up 13 percent), followed by cruisers (up 8 percent) and tow boats (up 5 percent). 
  • New registrations of saltwater fishing boats rebounded after being down in Q1 and were up 5 percent R3M YOY through May.
  • Meanwhile, new pontoon boat registrations were down 3 percent R3M YOY through May.


"We anticipate modest growth of up to 2 percent in new powerboat unit sales in 2019 and saw steady sales momentum in several segments through May, heading into June, July and August -- the busiest selling months of the year," said Dr. Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. "Personal watercraft, tow boats, as well as saltwater fishing boats and cruisers, with a boost from outboard propelled cruisers, drove new powerboat sales gains through May." 

For complete data by boat type, hull material, propulsion, and size going back five years, please view the full report here. Access to the New Powerboat Registrations Report is complimentary to companies with a Monthly Shipment Report (MSR) annual subscription. A member company that contributes its data to the MSR also receives free access to NMMA’s New Powerboat Registrations Report.

Contact [email protected] with questions.