Ask most people where America’s boating capital is, and you’ll get the same answer: somewhere with a coastline. New data says that answer is wrong.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association just released its list of the nation’s top boating states for 2025. Florida, Texas and Michigan lead the pack, but the rest of the list stretches well beyond the usual coastal names.
Boating Added Up to Billions Last Year
North Carolina, New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, Georgia and Alabama round out the top 10. Together, they span coastlines, rivers and lakes in every region of the country.
Add up sales from all 10 states, and you get a number worth pausing on: about $17.1 billion in boats, engines, trailers and gear sold in a single year. That kind of spending doesn’t happen in one corner of the map; it happens because boating has become one of America’s favorite ways to spend a weekend, whether you’re near the Gulf Coast or a Midwest lake town.
Inland Lakes Are Making Real Waves
Three states without a drop of ocean access still cracked the top 10. Each makes its own case for why lake life can rival the coast:
- Michigan ($1.47 billion): Four Great Lakes and more than 11,000 inland lakes make boating a defining part of Michigan’s outdoor lifestyle.
- Minnesota ($1.13 billion): Known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesota is practically synonymous with boating and fishing.
- Wisconsin ($1.03 billion): Great Lakes shoreline meets Northwoods lake country here, giving anglers, cruisers and families plenty of reasons to get out on the water.
That’s real money behind an activity plenty of people assume only fits a coastal lifestyle.
You don’t have to live near an ocean to belong to this crowd. Grab a paddle, a fishing rod or a tube for the kids, and head to whatever water is closest to home.
A quiet pond an hour away counts just as much as a beach. Discover Boating has more ideas if you’re looking for your own way onto the water.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.