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Economic Pressures Continued to Temper Retail Sales in August Data

| Statistics

NMMA’s latest Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary, covering data through August 2025, indicates new powerboat retail sales remained under pressure as elevated interest rates and ongoing economic uncertainty continued to weigh on consumer demand. Year-to-date (January–August 2025), new retail unit sales decreased 8.5% from the same period last year, with 182,159 units sold.
Segment-level trends show softness across nearly all categories with pontoons, wakesport boats, and jet boats seeing year-over-year declines as higher borrowing costs limited affordability for many buyers. Sales of larger yachts and cruisers remained relatively stable, supported by higher-income consumers less impacted by financing costs.
Broader macroeconomic trends painted a nuanced picture in August. The Consumer Confidence Index rose modestly to 97.8, while the Consumer Sentiment Index held lower at 55.0, underscoring household caution. Inflation stood at 2.9%, the Federal Funds Rate at 6.6%, and 30-year mortgage rates remained high at 8.6%, continuing to constrain big-ticket discretionary purchases.
As the industry enters the fall and winter boat show season, NMMA continues to monitor these trends closely.
NMMA’s Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary report is published at the beginning of each month and is available at no cost to members. The full report includes comprehensive retail and wholesale data, engine and segment breakdowns, and key economic indicators relevant to marine businesses. Associate members can purchase an annual subscription for $1,800. 
Visit www.nmma.org/statistics or contact [email protected] for more information. NMMA members have direct access to the NMMA Business Intelligence team to answer questions about NMMA data, insights and reporting.