Boat Builders NAICS 336612

Nov 25, 2025 - Boat Sales Up in October

• October’s uptick in recreational boat sales offers cautious optimism for US boat builders, according to Lightspeed data reported in Boating Industry. The data from nearly 700 dealers shows sales rising 4.8% year over year, with the Midwest up 7.1% and the South up 6.2%, offsetting declines in the Northwest (13.6%) and West (3.6%). For builders, the disparities highlight uneven demand but reinforce the importance of aligning production with growth markets. Service revenues also climbed 4.5% nationally, led by the South at 8.6%, signaling opportunities for builders to support aftermarket parts and maintenance. Parts sales were up 0.7% overall, while the South again led with 6.8% growth. Combined dealer revenue rose 4.6% nationwide, with the South reporting the strongest gain at 6.6%. For boat manufacturers, the data suggests resilience in consumer demand despite regional headwinds, underscoring the need to balance output, strengthen dealer partnerships, and leverage service growth to stabilize earnings.
• US consumer sentiment weakened in late 2025, putting pressure on boat builders that rely on discretionary spending. The University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment fell 6.2% month-over-month to 50.3 in preliminary November data, nearly 30% below last year, while the Expectations Index dropped 36.3% annually to 49. Inflation expectations rose to 4.7% for the year ahead, and the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index slipped to 94.6 in October, with short-term expectations down to 71.5 despite stronger current conditions. With more than half of consumers anticipating higher interest rates, households are likely to postpone or scale back big-ticket purchases such as appliances, televisions, and home electronics.

• According to a report in Trade Only Today, electric boating is rapidly transitioning from niche to mainstream, driven by environmental concerns, regulatory pressure, and advances in battery and propulsion technologies. OEMs are investing heavily in electrifying models and developing new designs, while consumer interest grows, especially in recreational segments. Despite infrastructure and performance concerns, over 100 manufacturers are actively innovating, signaling long-term market growth. Rising consumer demand for sustainable, low-maintenance vessels opens new sales channels, particularly among first-time buyers and eco-conscious boaters.
• The transportation equipment manufacturing category is one of the six manufacturing industries reporting growth in October’s Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. Transportation equipment manufacturers reported an increase in new orders, growth in production, higher inventories, slower supplier deliveries, higher employment, higher order backlogs, and higher prices for raw materials. Other manufacturing industries reporting growth during the period included Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products. A dozen industries reported contraction, including Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Wood Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Computer & Electronic Products. Overall, economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted for the eighth consecutive month in October, with the Manufacturing PMI registering 48.7%.