Marinas NAICS 713930

May 5, 2026 - Boating Fuels Outdoor Economy Growth

• According to recent data released by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, the US outdoor recreation economy—including the marina industry—reached $696.7B (2.4% of GDP) in 2024, with growth moderating to 2.7%. Boating and fishing, the core demand drivers for marinas, remained the largest conventional activity at $38.4B, leading in most states and especially strong in coastal and Sun Belt markets like Florida, California, and Texas. This data signals robust, sustained demand for marina services, boat storage, fueling, maintenance, and waterfront amenities nationwide. For the US marina industry, these figures confirm that boating and fishing remain the economic backbone of outdoor recreation, reinforcing investment opportunities in marina infrastructure, staffing, and services. While overall sector growth slowed, participation in water-based recreation remains a primary economic engine, reinforcing steady demand for marina services tied to domestic boating activity.
• The NMMA’s 2025 Outboard Engine Sales Trends report shows a modest 3.9% decline in U.S. outboard engine unit sales to 267,000, but overall market stability driven by higher prices and continued demand for larger, high-horsepower engines. Total market value held strong at $3.5 billion, with average prices rising 3.2% to $13,081. For the US marina industry, this signals steady revenue potential despite softer volume, as customers invest in more expensive, premium equipment that typically requires greater service, storage, and maintenance support. Demand remains concentrated in key boating regions, especially the South Atlantic, Great Lakes, and Gulf Coast, where marinas are likely to see the most sustained activity, particularly in states like Florida and Texas. The ongoing shift toward higher horsepower engines may also increase infrastructure and service demands at marinas, reinforcing their role as critical support hubs in a stable but evolving recreational boating market.

• According to a report in Boating Industry, US marinas are shifting from simple docking facilities to hospitality-driven destinations, reshaping industry strategy and investment. Operators like Suntex Marinas (90+ locations) emphasize resort-style experiences and community spaces to attract and retain boaters. Technology adoption is accelerating: platforms offering online reservations, digital contracts, mobile service tracking, and automated billing improve productivity, capture more revenue, and increase customer satisfaction. At Hawks Cay Marina, digital tools already manage about 90% of slip reservations, showing rapid operational digitization. AI is expected to further optimize berth allocation, pricing, and demand forecasting. However, the industry faces structural challenges including technician labor shortages, high housing costs in boating destinations, complex regulatory oversight, and aging infrastructure requiring extensive permitting, such as a four-year dredging approval process in the Florida Keys. Electrification remains limited, indicating slow adoption. Overall, hospitality, technology integration, and infrastructure modernization will drive US marina competitiveness.
• Mixed economic conditions are shaping a stable outlook for the US recreational boating market in 2026, which is important for marinas as boating participation and vessel activity remain strong, according to data released by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. New powerboat retail sales fell 8–10% in 2025 to about 215,000–225,000 units, but sales in 2026 are expected to be flat to slightly higher. Entry-level segments, including personal watercraft, aluminum fishing boats, and small trailerable boats, account for more than 90% of retail unit activity, supporting frequent use at local waterways and marinas. The market is further sustained by nearly 860,000 pre-owned boat sales in 2024, representing about 80% of total annual boat transactions. With 11 million registered boats in use and 85 million Americans boating annually, marina demand for slips, services, and fueling remains strong. Participation spending, including outings and accessories, reached $24.5 billion in 2024, reinforcing marinas’ role in supporting ongoing boating activity and local water access.