Outboard engine retail sales were up 8.7 percent in 2015, reaching a post-recession high. Growing demand for high-powered engines was reflected in a 23.2 percent increase in average horsepower since 2004, according to new data released by the National Manufacturers Association. The 2015 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, which contains thousands of data points and insights about the boating industry, will be released in sections as the statistics become available. The first section to be released is an 11-year look at outboard engine sales trends: NMMA Outboard Engine Sales Trends 2004-2015.

The report is available for download by NMMA members here. Members must be logged in to NMMA.org to access the report. Highlights from the outboard engine report include: Outboard engines are a leading indicator for boat sales — four of five new boats sold are outboard engine-propelled. Detailed information on total dollar sales, units sold, average prices and top 20 states can be found in the complete report, with historical data trending. “NMMA’s annual Statistical Abstract is the most comprehensive collection of industry data available and a trusted source for recreational boating statistics — our revamp of the format and corresponding release schedule makes the data even more valuable because it’s now timelier, and therefore much more useful to the industry,” NMMA president Thom Dammrich said in a statement. “With the data being available immediately after it is gathered and analyzed by our team, the industry can utilize it to better understand our changing industry.”