2019 North American Personal Watercraft (PWC) Production

88,200

This is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Personal Watercraft (PWC) and jet drive boats that will be produced in North America during 2019. Estimated 2019 production will be down about 1,300 units, or 1.5%, from 2018.

In 2018, production was 89,509 units, up 3,035 units or 3.5% from 2017.

This information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.

Market Share: With combined plant totals of 53.3%, Yamaha leads in production of PWC in North America. In second position is Bombardier (BRP) with 39.5%; third is Kawasaki with 7%. Canadian-based BRP builds its Sea-Doo branded PWCs in Mexico. Tennessee Watercraft produces the jet drive boats for Yamaha.

Exports: Collectively up to 30% worldwide

Trends:  In 2018, production of PWC in NA increased 3.5% over 2017.  Year over Year, production is expected to remain flat, with a slight decrease of 1.3%, in 2019.  Sales of these recreational vehicles depend on disposable income and leisure time. Industry revenue dropped during the recession and is still low; over the next five years continued disposable income growth will bring revenue back to its prerecession level.  Expect the production of Personal Watercraft to gain up to 5% by 2025.   PSR

Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, at Power Systems Research