US outboard shipments up through October

US wholesale outboard engine shipments were up 6.7% year-to-date and year-over-year through October, according to the monthly shipping report compiled from a control group of National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) members.

Not surprisingly, from recent trends, outboards of 300hp and greater led the rise, representing just over 27% of engines shipped.

Four-stroke outboards also led gains at 13.2% for the same period, a number somewhat skewed by the reduction in the total number of two-stroke outboards available for sale in the US.

Total retail sales as measured by warranty registration cards were up 6.5% for the period.

The NMMA’s monthly shipping report tracks industry wholesale shipments of outboard motors and boats, sterndrives and inboard motors and boats, personal watercraft, jet drive boats, inflatable boats, and trailers.

The report includes current month, year-to-date, and prior year comparisons of unit shipments and factory value by hull material, length, and type of boat.