Recreational boating in the U.S. - statistics & facts
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Whitewater kayaking down racing rapids, peaceful paddling on a lazy river, or sailing a yacht along the coastline, recreational boating can appeal to those from all walks of life. This is particularly true in the United States, where the number of registered recreational boating vessels amounted to around 11.6 million in 2023. From the freshwater coastline of Michigan to the Great Lakes of North America, there are many opportunities for Americans to get onto the water. However, some states have more opportunities for recreational boating than others. In 2023, Florida, boasting the longest coastline in the contiguous U.S., was the U.S. state reporting the most recreational boat registrations.
Despite the potential for accidents, recreational boating in the U.S. continues to be a lucrative industry. With an annual rise kayaking, canoeing, and sailing participation over the past years, this industry is looking at future growth.
How big is the U.S. recreational boating industry?
Not only does this hobby enrich participants' daily lives, it also contributes significantly to the U.S. economy. In 2023, the economic impact of recreational boating in the United States reached 230 billion U.S. dollars, with over 36,000 businesses directly supported by recreational boating. Additionally, the number of jobs supported by the recreational boating industry reached around 813,000.What are the most popular types of recreational boating in the U.S.?
Kayaking and canoeing were two of the most popular ways to explore the water in the United States in 2023. Kayaking took the top spot with around 21 million participants, while there were around 10 million American canoeing participants. Comparatively, U.S. sailing participation was much lower at only 4.1 million. This is likely due to the differences in cost. Sailing boats are much more expensive than kayaks and canoes, even when renting rather than buying. The number of registered paddlecraft in the U.S. was over seven times higher than the number of registered sailboats in 2023, reaching over 606,000.Recreational boating safety in the U.S.
In 2023, recreational boating accidents in the United States saw a nearly five percent decline compared to the previous year, with over 3,800 incidents reported. When looking at the number of deaths and injuries linked to boating accidents in the U.S., 564 lives were lost and over 2,100 people were injured that year. Open motorboats, known for their speed but offering little protection, were the vessel type most frequently involved in navigation accidents, with more than 2,400 of these vessels contributing to the total number of recreational boating mishaps in 2023.Despite the potential for accidents, recreational boating in the U.S. continues to be a lucrative industry. With an annual rise kayaking, canoeing, and sailing participation over the past years, this industry is looking at future growth.
