Registration numbers for the 15-foot-and-over U.S. powerboat market through February were down 7.4% relative to the 12-month rolling average. Registrations across all segments totaled 215,684.
The data for new-boat registrations was provided by Info-Link, a Florida-based company that compiles registration numbers from the Coast Guard and individual states.
In the February sales report, towboats were down 13.2% for a running total of 7,737 units sold. Runabouts were down 16%, with a total of 13,794 units sold, and pontoons were 12.2% off their 12-month average, with 47,798 units. The freshwater fishboat category, a strong performer for the past year, dropped only 0.3% off its 12-month average, with a total of 54,774 units sold.
“Marine continues to shrink in capacity and inventory, and continues to align closer to market demand,” says Russell Baqir, senior vice president of business development at Northpoint Commercial Finance. “Dealer failures have slowed into the 2026 model year, but consolidation/acquisitions have been more prevalent. OEMs have also continued their reduction in capacity and production, with acquisitions continuing. Inventory turn continues to improve, as year-over-year payoffs as a percent are slightly improving compared to the 2025 model year. Boat-show attendance improved in most markets compared to 2025 and 2024 model years.”
Early 2026 saw equities-market volatility, increased fuel prices and continuing high inflation, with the combined effects still having an impact, as well.
Saltwater fishboat sales were off 7.6% from their 12-month averages in February, for a total of 21,493 units sold. In other categories, PWC sales were 10.8% under their 12-month rolling average with a total units figure of 60,097. The cruiser/yacht category was down 3.8% from its 12-month total with 4,745 units.
The unclassified/other category was up 3.8% with a running average total of 5,246 units sold — an increase from January’s figures. “The unclassified inventory consists of houseboats, fliteboards, airboats, little motorized canoes, etc.,” Baqir notes. “Other than houseboats, speculation is that this category is driven by affordable cash and credit purchases. People still want to get on the water and are continuing to find ways to do it. There is no stat that we can currently track boat club and rental utilization. However, we believe this is an increasing trend.”
Among the bigger state markets in February, Florida was 7% below its 12-month average for 28,307 units yearly. Texas was down 7% with 15,710 units. Michigan was also below its 12-month average, by 9% for 11,216 units, while Minnesota was down by 10% with 9,013 units.
Four states showed increases in the 12-month average in February. Alaska was up 1% with 813 boats sold. Idaho was up 9% with 1,976 units on the running figure, and South Carolina showed a 2% improvement with 7,067. Rhode Island showed an increase of 6% with 561 boats selling in the 12-month average.
In the Midwest markets by state, Nebraska was off only 1% from its running average for a total of 1,277 units sold. Iowa was down 6% with 2,226 units. Illinois had an 8% lower average and tallied 5,035 units, and Indiana was off 18% with 3,930 units. Missouri was down 7% with a 12-month average of 5,456 units sold. Kansas was down 7% for 1,098 units, and Oklahoma saw a 17% drop with 2,548 units sold.
Overall, Baqir says he sees the industry continuing to adjust to a new normal with elevated costs and fewer consumers who can afford boating. “Recreational vehicle aging has come down significantly into the 10% range. However, they are reducing their shipments for this season,” he says. “Marine has already adjusted to the dealer level concerning supply. Marine aging is still around 20% but reflects a declining trend.
“This is the second year that the industry started the calendar year with improving trends,” Baqir adds. “Marine inventory turn increased to 1.6 times. Freshwater fish continues to lead at 2 times. Towboat is beating the pack at 1.7 times. Pontoon is ahead as well at 1.63 times. Saltwater remains flat at 1.52 times, running parallel to runabout and cruiser. Last year, marine had a late selling season when liquidations took off in July. This year, there is a likelihood of a similar occurrence due to the economic disruptions occurring again.”
