As the summer boating season gets underway the National Marine Manufacturers Association has released new data that shows a jump in powerboat sales. Sales of new powerboats in the U.S. reached 276,000 in 2018, an increase of four percent from 2017, the highest levels the U.S. boating recreational industry has seen in 11 years. Chuck Willems with Fond du Lac-based Mercury Marine says that’s great news for Merc. “We’re really excited, another banner year, growth for the industry, and for Mercury and for Wisconsin,” Willems told WFDL news. “…so its just really exciting all the way around.” Willems says sales of new boats and boating expenditures have been on an upward climb for several years. Wisconsin is ranked sixth in the country in the sales of new powerboat, engine, trailer and accessories in 2018.
