About Boating: Fact Sheet

Some facts and figures about one of America's favorite pastimes!

50% of people who have purchased a boat say they’ve visited a boat show to do research before making their final decision to buy.

Boat shows, like the MAC Events Boat Show, give consumers a chance to look at all their options, meet and talk to area dealers and find the best deals.

A majority of Americans (90%) feel that boating and fishing helps reduce stress.

With 17 million recreational boats on the water and 72 million participants, boating is one of the nation’s most popular recreational activities.

Today’s boats come in a variety of shapes and sizes; there’s a boat for every taste, style and budget. In fact, you can buy a new boat for less than $200 a month.

Because 90% of the nation’s population lives within an hour of a body of water, boating provides an affordable family vacation.

Boats are tax deductible if equipped with kitchen, bathroom and sleeping quarters.

According to the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA), the recreational marine industry generates more than $30 billion for the U.S. economy each year. The industry has almost 400,000 employees.