May 1, 2018

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada plans to release on May 2, 2018, the first two sections of the 2017 Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract – Economic Facts and Retail Markets (New Boats); the remaining sections will be released as the data becomes available. The reports are complimentary to download by NMMA members on NMMA.ca, and are also available for purchase by non-NMMA members.

“The Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is one of the most significant member benefits NMMA offers and an important data resource for any industry stakeholder, as it provides critical insights and statistics year over year for Canada’s recreational boating industry,” noted Sara Anghel, president of NMMA Canada. “We are continuing to release the Abstract by section, so that data is more timely and valuable for those who reference it when assessing the Canadian recreational marine market and making critical business decisions.”

NMMA’s annual Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is the most comprehensive collection of statistics on the Canadian recreational boating industry, containing thousands of data points and insights on the recreational boating industry. Of note in the 2017 edition, outlined in the Retail Markets’ section, is that total unit sales of new boats increased by 4.7 percent in 2017.

Other highlights from the Statistical Abstract’s first two sections include:

• Estimated retail dollar sales for new boats and outboard engines totaled about $2.3 billion in 2017, remaining about the same as 2016.
• In 2017, unit sales were up for the following boat categories: personal watercraft (up 12.8 percent), outboard boats (up 4.3 percent), sport jetboats (up 3.4 percent), and sailboats (up 2.0 percent).
• Outboard engine unit sales totaled 40,826 in 2017, up 2.8 percent from the previous year. Corresponding dollars were up 8.5 percent to $321.6 million.
• Outboard engine sales were up in nearly all provinces with growth led by Manitoba (up 6.7 percent), Ontario (up 5.4 percent) and British Columbia (up 5.2 percent). Together, these provinces accounted for 57.1 percent of outboard engine unit sales in 2017.
• Consumer confidence, which closely correlates to new boat sales, rose to 123.1 in December 2017, compared to 103.8 during the same month in 2016.
• Disposable income, a key economic indicator for new boat sales, was up a seasonally adjusted 4.4 percent through the fourth quarter of 2017.

The release schedule for the remaining sections of the 2017 Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is:
• May: Pre-Owned Boat Market; Exports/Imports (Trade)
• June: Full Report (A compilation of all four sections)

As each 2017 Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract section is released, reports can be downloaded here within the Statistics section of nmma.ca. NMMA members receive unlimited complimentary access to the digital versions of each section as they’re available, in addition to the full compilation report, which will be released in June. The print edition of the full report can be pre-ordered here.

Please visit http://www.nmma.ca/statistics/ or contact curtilescu@nmma.org for more information.