Report: Boat Builders Facing Hurdles as They Work to Fill Backorders

The 2020 year was both a historic year for retail boat sales and a disruptive year for boat builders working to meet the heightened demand and replenish record low inventories amid challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to NMMA’s latest Monthly Shipment Report, wholesale shipments of new powerboats during December gained momentum compared to November to close out 2020 down 15 percent for the year compared to 2019.

Of note in the December Monthly Shipment Report, manufacturing of personal watercraft, outboard boats, jet boats and sterndrive boats ramped up in December, boosting powerboat wholesale shipments up 17 percent compared to November. However, current inventory levels are tracking 20 to 60 percent below normal levels.

“Boat builders are shipping approximately 20,000 new boats monthly and operating at 13 percent above normal levels to restock anemic inventories ahead of peak selling season,” said Vicky Yu, NMMA's Director of Business Intelligence. “Continued supply chain disruption and workforce issues, combined with an average order backlog of up to six months, will challenge manufacturers to keep up with new orders through at least 2021.”

ITR Economics’ January 2021 forecast on boat building production is also available on NMMA.org. The latest report projects that by the end of 2021, boat production in the U.S. will steadily rebound through 2021 and remain at near 2019 production levels through 2023.

“Wholesale shipments of new powerboats are currently outpacing growth in ITR Economics latest forecast an average of 12 percent with an encouraging uptick in shipments in December,” noted Yu. “We expect production levels to ebb and flow this year as manufacturers work to get back up to speed and supplier deliveries stabilize. A lot will depend on what type of buying activity we see this spring and summer as things start to open up.”