Surveys Unveil Challenges Impacting Recreational Boating and Marina Operations

The recreational boating industry is facing a variety of challenges that can have a direct impact on marinas across the country. Sea Tow and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) recently conducted separate surveys to determine the state of the industry and capture a glimpse of what might be in store for the future of boating.

Sea Tow’s survey highlighted the economic pressures facing today’s boaters, with concerns about rising fuel costs and slip fees leading the way. NMMA’s survey concentrated on the crowded waterways and access points. Both surveys provided insight into the ways in which boaters are changing their habits rather than abandoning boating.

Access Challenges
The NMMA conducted this survey to gather the data behind manufacturer and boater complaints of congested access points and poorly maintained waterways, both of which cost people time on the water. Responses were obtained from 2,000 active U.S. recreational boaters. The timing is relevant, according to Clay Crabtree, NMMA’s senior director, public policy, because several pieces of legislation addressing these issues are before Congress, and this data could give the industry leverage to demand changes. “The findings directly support the Waterways Access Initiative, which NMMA announced in July to protect and expand access to public waters, modernize recreation infrastructure and sustain the $230 billion recreational boating and fishing economy. As our survey shows, congestion, limited storage and maintenance issues directly affect how often Americans boat,” he said.

When 80% of boat owners are experiencing congestion at their primary access point, and 71% are changing their behavior because of these access challenges, it’s something that could affect business. The NMMA points out that these bottlenecks threaten a sector concerning more than 36,000 businesses and representing more than 812,000 jobs. But boaters are tweaking their routines instead of quitting altogether. “The encouraging part is that this shows that boaters want to be on the water more, so reducing these barriers unlocks growth rather than just defending against decline,” Crabtree said.

Regional Differences and Maintenance
The NMMA survey highlighted regional differences, with the Pacific Southwest and Great Lakes reporting the highest levels of congestion. The Rocky Mountains/Plains and South Atlantic boaters were most concerned about waterway maintenance. For these reasons, Crabtree said, “Operators should match investment to the local pain point. Whether it is through the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) or reauthorizing a critical program like the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which issues Boating Infrastructure Grants and Clean Vessel Act grants, there are opportunities for marinas to partner with states and federal governments to help address their local needs.”

Waterway maintenance is extremely important to 66% of NMMA respondents, while 64% of respondents reported that they’ve been impacted by water levels, dredging or debris in the past year. “Boaters are telling us through the data that maintenance and access go hand in hand. We encourage marinas to document conditions, share those impacts with their Congressional delegations and support efforts to improve access through BoatingUnited.org,” Crabtree said.

The Cost of Boating
To gain insight into how rising costs were affecting boaters, Sea Tow recently surveyed more than 5,500 members nationwide. The organization noted that the respondents were current boat owners and active members, providing a snapshot of how existing boaters are responding to rising costs.

Despite rising costs, 52% of respondents said they were boating about the same amount or more than the previous year, while 48% said they were boating somewhat or much less often. For marina operators, the distinction is important: customers may not be boating less because they’ve lost interest, but because they’re changing how they use their boats. “When costs increase, their first reaction isn’t to stop boating. They’re finding ways to adapt so they can continue doing something they love,” said Kristen Frohnhoefer, president of Sea Tow Services International Inc.

Fuel was the most frequently cited rising boating expense, with 84% of respondents identifying it, followed by maintenance (36%), marina and slip fees (22%) and insurance (18%). Additionally, more than half of those surveyed spend $50 to $100 on fuel for a typical boating trip, while 30% spend $100 to $250, and 18% spend more than $250.

“Fuel represents a significant part of the cost of a day on the water, so people will naturally start thinking more carefully about how and where they use their boats,” Frohnhoefer said. “It’s an important takeaway for marina operators because customers are likely looking at the total value of their boating experience more closely. It’s not just what they’re paying for their slip. It’s fuel, maintenance, insurance, storage and everything else combined. That makes demonstrating value of the overall experience increasingly important throughout the industry,”

Looking toward 2027, 37% of Sea Tow respondents identified fuel prices as their biggest concern, while 30% expect their boating habits to remain about the same. “Operators don’t need to prepare for people to stop boating but should be more conscious of how customers may be more deliberate in how they’re spending,” she said.

Policy Updates
Crabtree notes that Congress is paying attention. “Both the U.S House of Representatives and Senate are considering their versions of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which would take important steps to help address deferred maintenance and outdated federal policies that place pressure on ramps, marinas and access points,” he said.

Specifically, NMMA is pushing for key updates within WRDA, including longer lease terms for marinas, faster risk-based approvals for routine subleases and minor dock work, ensuring that retained recreation fees on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) lakes supplement rather than replace federal appropriations and aligning the Corps with other federal recreational-access data standards.

Lessons for Marinas
Marinas are uniquely positioned to benefit, from fuel and storage to a potential pipeline of new buyers. Nearly half of NMMA non-owners surveyed are planning to purchase a boat, while many said that improved access would support that decision. Meanwhile, 93% of respondents said improved access would increase how often they’d boat.

Fixing congestion problems does not necessarily require drastic measures. “Reducing congestion was the single improvement boaters wanted most, and it doesn’t always require new construction. Even incremental operational improvements such as better traffic flow design, digital reservation systems or improved signage and staging areas can change whether people get on the water at all,” Crabtree said.

Sea Tow found that boaters changed their habits because of fuel costs, by either taking shorter trips, staying closer to home or operating at lower speeds. Frohnhoefer said that this data shows an opportunity for marinas.

“While boaters may be spending less on fuel, staying ‘closer to home’ could be good news for marinas,” she said. “If boaters are traveling fewer miles, they may be spending more time, and more money, at their home marina. Those taking shorter trips could mean that they’re dining at the marina restaurant, buying ice or supplies or just spending time at the dock. These habits becoming more frequent could indicate greater opportunity for different or new revenue streams.”

Because boaters are already watching costs, marinas need to make sure customers are cognizant of what they are getting for their money. Frohnhoefer also sees an opportunity for marinas to communicate the value behind rising slip fees. Investments in docks, electrical systems, Wi-Fi, security, bathrooms, landscaping and staffing may not always be visible to customers, but making those improvements and the everyday services that keep a marina running more visible can help customers understand what they’re paying for, she said.

“Value doesn’t always mean adding another expensive amenity. Sometimes, it’s a clean facility, responsive staff, reliable utilities, an efficient fuel dock and employees who know their customers and their boats,” she said.

Looking ahead, there are critical steps marina operators can take to protect their businesses and to keep boaters coming back. “How easily someone gets on the water shapes how often they boat, and it can even shape whether a prospective boater ever buys. I would also stay engaged with your representatives and local policymakers to share what is working well, or perhaps, what is not working well,” Crabtree said.

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