Ratickle
Founding Member / Super Moderator
NMMA president identifies opportunities for growth
MIAMI –
During an industry breakfast held this past week to kick off the 2012 Miami International Boat Show, National Marine Manufacturers Association President Thom Dammrich reviewed boat sales statistics from the past 45 years.
While boat sales grew in 2011, they declined by 55 percent between 2006 and 2010.
“Where the new normal is going to be is anyone’s guess,” he said.
However, he also shared data that showed the average age of a recreational boat in the U.S. increased from 16 years old in 1997 to 21 years old in 2011.
“It’s possible that the silver lining is that we’ll see increased demand for new boats as a result of the aging of the fleet,” he said.
Dammrich also suggested that boaters are getting older at a faster rate than the American population. And as the population continues to diversify, the population of boaters has not changed along with those demographics. Therefore, if the industry wants to grow, it needs to both get more kids out on the water and better penetrate the non-white population, he suggested.
The Miami International Boat Show is being held at the Miami Beach Convention Center from Feb. 16-20.
MIAMI –
During an industry breakfast held this past week to kick off the 2012 Miami International Boat Show, National Marine Manufacturers Association President Thom Dammrich reviewed boat sales statistics from the past 45 years.
While boat sales grew in 2011, they declined by 55 percent between 2006 and 2010.
“Where the new normal is going to be is anyone’s guess,” he said.
However, he also shared data that showed the average age of a recreational boat in the U.S. increased from 16 years old in 1997 to 21 years old in 2011.
“It’s possible that the silver lining is that we’ll see increased demand for new boats as a result of the aging of the fleet,” he said.
Dammrich also suggested that boaters are getting older at a faster rate than the American population. And as the population continues to diversify, the population of boaters has not changed along with those demographics. Therefore, if the industry wants to grow, it needs to both get more kids out on the water and better penetrate the non-white population, he suggested.
The Miami International Boat Show is being held at the Miami Beach Convention Center from Feb. 16-20.
