Q1 Sales Strong For Outboards and Power Boats

Four-strokes and high-power engines are driving both wholesale and retail sales increases of outboard motors this year.

New data shows that sales of outboard engines and powerboats through the first quarter of 2016 appear to be trending above sales for the previous year.

In its Q1 Data Dashboard released last week, the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) notes that retail sales of outboard engines and nearly all powerboat categories are growing on both a quarterly and annual basis.

In the United States, wholesale shipments of outboard engines are reported to be up by 5 percent through March for the association’s control group of manufacturers, which represent 95 percent of the market. Based on warranty card registrations for the same period, retail sales were determined to be up by 8.4 percent. The strongest gains were led by four-strokes and higher-powered engines.

Wholesale shipments of outboard engines in Canada were reported to be up by a full 16 percent over the first quarter of 2015. Corresponding dollars were up by 29 percent (likely impacted by recent changes to exchange rates) while warranty card registrations in Canada were up by 4.2 percent year-over-year.

Wholesale shipments of powerboats for NMMA’s control group of manufacturers (representing 69 percent of the market) were up 0.5 percent through February, while corresponding dollars were up by 13.6 percent. The inboard boat and jet boat segments saw double-digit year-over-year growth (up 14.4% and 11.9% respectively).

NMMA attributes the growth in boat and motor sales to strengthening consumer confidence, relatively low gas prices, and strong employment rates.