Boat sales increased by more than 3 percent through the month of December, according to the latest Info-Link Bellwether report. The Bellwether report tracks sales of powerboats across the country based on new U.S. boat registrations on a rolling 12-month basis. Bellwether states are geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the U.S. boat market (varies by market segment and ...

Momentum is expected to slow in response to a clouding business and political horizon as the boating industry anticipates its eighth consecutive year of single-digit growth. Tariffs, the health of the U.S. economy, the possibility of recession causing another downturn and interest rates affecting consumer confidence were all concerns stated by Boating Industry readers in this year’s industry forecast survey. ...

Pontoon versatility continues to drive popularity, growth In an industry-wide seventh consecutive year of growth, the pontoon segment continues to get more people on the water and keep them there. Pontoons remain a key driver for the marine industry, and that’s going to continue in 2019, Statistical Surveys, Inc. (SSI) director of sales Ryan Kloppe said. “Pontoons will top 56,000 ...

‘Shared economy’ aspects drive segment change John Giglio has been beating his head against the boating industry wall for the last seven years. The Freedom Boat Club CEO said he’s tried to explain his business to others as complementary, not competitive.  Giglio had an opportunity to drive that point home during a panel discussion during the 2018 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition ...

For years, the International Marina and Boatyard Conference (IMBC) has set its sights on targeting middle- to high-management levels within the marina and boatyard industry. With the Association of Marina Industries’ — IMBC’s producer — new strategic five-year lookout, the conference will take aim at the industry as a whole by broadening its educational opportunities at the 2019 event. “With ...

The NMMA announced today the agenda for the annual Innovation Breakfast at the 2019 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show. Presented by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), the Innovation Breakfast is being held Friday, Feb. 15 within the show’s Center Courtyard. Tickets for the event can be purchased here; limited seating available – book now! Celebrating the thousands of innovative products, ideas and ...

Recreation took center stage at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Jan. 8 as Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) leaders and recreation company CEOs met with Secretary Sonny Perdue, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment Jim Hubbard and other key officials.  The group noted the importance of national forests to many recreational activities, and highlighted the world-class experiences ...

Editor’s note: Rod Malone, the founder and co-owner of The Sail & Ski Center, passed away Aug. 31. While the company had been notified of its selection as Dealer of the Year before his passing, the Boating Industry staff had not had a chance to conduct a formal interview. All quotes from Malone in this article are taken from his ...

After 14 years, the Boating Industry Top 100 continues to grow, with the dealers setting new records that outpace the market. The Top 100 and Hall of Fame dealers achieved revenue of nearly $3.6 billion in 2017 – half a billion more than in 2016. With growth of more than 16 percent, this elite group more than doubled the growth ...

Boating Industry  Top 100 Hall of Fame: Galati Yacht Sales – Anna Maria, Fla. Gordy’s Lakefront Marine – Lake Geneva, Wis. Legendary Marine – Destin, Fla. MarineMax – Clearwater, Fla. OneWater Marine Holdings – Buford, Ga. Prince William Marine – Woodbridge, Va. The Boating Industry Top 100 Hall of Fame recognizes dealers who have won the coveted Dealer of the ...