The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced last week new data that shows unit sales of new powerboats in the United States reached 276,000 in 2018, an increase of 4 percent from 2017, the highest levels in 11 years.

Marine expenditures, spending on boats, engines, trailers, accessories and related services, were at an all-time high in 2018 at $42 billion, up 7 percent from 2017, according to an NMMA news release.

“Sales of new boats and boating expenditures have been on a consistent upward climb for eight years, with some segments reaching pre-recession sales volumes,” Thom Dammrich, NMMA president, said in a statement. “As millions of Americans head to the water this summer, marine manufacturers and dealers are preparing for the busy selling season that coincides with peak boating months. With consumer confidence high, unemployment low, wages on the rise and interest rates holding level, we anticipate the recreational boating market to remain healthy in the year ahead with modest growth of up to 2 percent in new powerboat unit sales in 2019.”

According to the news release, the increase in new powerboat sales in 2018 was led by:

• Outboard boat sales were up 3 percent to 177,600 units in 2018; representing 85 percent of new traditional powerboats sold, and includes pontoons, aluminum and fiberglass fishing boats, as well as small fiberglass cruising boats.

• Personal watercraft sales rose 8 percent to 69,000 units in 2018; often considered a gateway to boat ownership.

• Wakesport boat sales rose 10 percent to 10,500 units in 2018; popular with new and younger boaters for wakesurfing and wakeboarding.

• Cruiser sales were up 3 percent to 9,000 units in 2018; ranging in size from 22 to 32 feet and geared toward entertaining and ‘cruising.’

• Jet boat sales were up 4 percent to 5,900 units in 2018; smaller fiberglass boats that use jet engine technology to propel the boat.