The Marine Industry
BACKGROUND
Millions of North Americans enjoy boats and related recreation every year.
The recreational boating industry maintained momentum in recent years, and the number of recreational boats in use continues to grow steadily. As it does, the need for well-trained employees will also continue to increase.
While there are careers in recreational boating that cover the breadth of the marine industry and encompass all aspects of a product life cycle, (from the conceptual design phase through production, to the sale of equipment and boats, onto the use and maintenance of the end product) technicians are by far in the highest demand.
As the marine industry evolves to keep up with its customers’ desires, boats are becoming more and more technologically advanced. Isn’t it time you knew more about this increasingly sophisticated, diverse, technically demanding and prosperous industry?
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2005 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract:
- The number of boats in use grew two percent to nearly 18 million in 2005, an increase of 360,000 from 2004. (Above)
- There were 13 percent more boats on the water in 2005 than there were in 1989.
- Recreational boating participation increased an estimated 2.3 million in 2005 to 71.3 million from 69 million in 2004.
- In 2005, aftermarket accessory sales increased an estimated 20 percent to $2.9 billion vs. 2004. Over eight years aftermarket accessory sales have more than doubled from $1.2 billion in 1997 to $2.9 billion in 2005.
- Recreational boating is a major consumer goods industry. A second straight year of retail growth has put the marine industry within reach of becoming a $40 billion industry, as retail expenditures rose 13.2% from 2004 to $37 billion in sales and services. (Above)
- Approximately 864,000 new boats were sold in 2005.
- Six out of ten boat segments showed positive growth in unit and dollar sales in 2005 – including ski/wakeboard boats, sterndrive boats, sailboats, jet boats, personal watercraft and kayaks.
- More than 1 million pre-owned powerboats were sold in 2005 with $9.1 billion in sales.
- Dollar sales of new boats and motors reached $14.7 billion, up eight percent compared to 2004. (Above)
- In 2005, the traditional powerboat segment (outboard, sterndrive and inboard boats) for both new and pre-owned boats totaled $18.3 billion in sales – a 16% increase over 2004.
- There are 1,400 active boat builders in the U.S. There were approximately 12,375 marinas in operation in the U.S. in 2005, accounting for nearly 875,000 slips. Canada has a proportionately strong recreational marine industry.
- Manufacturers’ efforts to reduce emissions are leading to a better performing, more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly marine engines.
- According to the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) Wage Survey, the average wage for the positions of General Manager, Service Manager, Mechanic, General Yard Labor and Dockhand all increased from 2001 to 2005.
If you’d like to order a complete report, please contact the NMMA fulfillment department or visit http://www.nmma.org/facts/boatingstats/2005/.
For more information on ABBRA’s Wage Survey, visit www.abbra.org.
