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United States Recreational
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Trends and opportunities Download PDF
The market
Currently a population of over 300 million, the United States boasts one of the largest and competitive markets in the world.
With a vast coastline and an abundance of inland lakes and waterways, the recreational boating industry generated US$39.5 billion in products and services in 2006. Strong domestic manufacturing capabilities and exchange rate fluctuations challenge Australian imports of marine products and services.
The purchasing trend towards larger, better equipped, more efficient boats and engines continued in 2006. Demographic data shows that American boaters are larger "middle-class".
Growth rates of Australian manufactured yachts and pleasure vessels between the years 2001 and 2005 have been around three per cent, whilst growth rates in the manufacture of other floating structures such as rafts, tanks and landing stages stands higher at 15 per cent. However, the value in the imports of vessels from Australia stands significantly higher at approximately US$47 million, whereas the value of other floating structures is approximately US $340 thousand.
There were approximately 12,073 marinas in operation in the U.S. in 2006, accounting for nearly 875,000 total slips throughout the U.S. The average marina had 72 slips. Florida was the top state for marinas, followed by New York, Michigan, Vermont and California. The top five states account for nearly half the marinas in the U.S. (49 per cent) and four out of 10 slips.
The domestic marine industry is very well established with boating tastes differing for each region. In the northeast boating in more established and traditional, reflecting the trans-seasonal climate. Moving further down boating reflects the warmer climates of Florida and Southern California along the coastlines, however, whilst boating is largely a recreational activity that can be enjoyed all year round in California, in Florida the best boating conditions are during winter given that the summer climate is too hot and humid. Even further down south sports fishing is a major attraction especially around the Carolinas, and given the vast resources and expanses of inland lakes, rivers and waterways, the real boat volumes are found in the United States inland.
Total boat and engine exports reached US$2.3 billion and imports of US$2.8 billion resulted in a trade deficit of US$472.3million, an increase of three per cent from 2005. Inboard motors and "other" comprised nearly three-fourths of the import market; inboard boat imports were US$732 million and represented 51 per cent of the total.
Opportunities
Key opportunities in the USA are:
Further information
For further information and to discuss your specific export needs to this market contact our American marine specialists within our |
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