Boaters love being on the water. And according to findings from Sea Tow’s 2026 Member Survey, rising boating costs aren’t changing that. They are, however, making boaters think a little differently about how, when and where they boat.
Fuel prices, maintenance, marina fees and insurance are all putting pressure on boating budgets. Yet one of the most interesting findings from the Sea Tow survey is just how committed boaters remain to the lifestyle.
Some are taking shorter trips. Some are staying closer to home. Some are slowing down to conserve fuel. And plenty are boating just as much as before. For us at PowerTime, that’s the real story.
People still want to boat. They’re simply looking for ways to make boating work for their lifestyle and budget. And today, there are more ways to do that than ever.
Key Takeaways From Sea Tow’s 2026 Member Survey
According to findings provided from Sea Tow’s 2026 Member Survey:
- 84% of respondents cited fuel as the boating expense that has increased the most.
- 46% said they are using their boats the same way they always have.
- 52% reported boating about the same amount or more often than last year.
- Among boaters changing their habits because of fuel costs, 53% are boating less often, 42% are taking shorter trips, 38% are staying closer to home and 29% are running at lower speeds.
- 52% reported spending between $50 and $100 on fuel per trip.
- Looking toward 2027, 37% identified fuel prices as their biggest concern.
Those numbers tell us something important: boating costs matter, but the desire to get out on the water remains remarkably strong.
Source: Sea Tow, 2026 Member Survey findings.
Fuel Is the Biggest Cost Concern for Boaters
It probably won’t surprise anyone who has filled up a boat recently that fuel topped Sea Tow’s list. According to the survey, 84% of respondents said fuel was the boating expense that had increased the most. Other rising expenses included:
- Maintenance: 36%
- Marina and slip fees: 22%
- Insurance: 18%
Fuel is also a meaningful part of the cost of an average boating day. Sea Tow found that 52% of respondents spend between $50 and $100 on fuel per trip, while another 30% spend between $100 and $250. Eighteen percent reported spending more than $250.
Those expenses are influencing some boating decisions. But they aren’t eliminating the desire to boat.
Here’s the Encouraging Part: Boaters Are Still Boating
This may be the most important finding in the entire survey. Despite higher costs, 46% of respondents said they are using their boats the same way they always have.
And when Sea Tow asked members to compare their boating activity with last year, 52% said they were boating about the same amount or more often.
Think about that for a moment. Fuel is more expensive. Maintenance costs matter. Marina fees and insurance are concerns. Yet more than half of these boaters are still getting out on the water at least as often as they did last year.
Why? We think most boaters already know the answer.
A Saturday afternoon cruising with your family isn’t just another purchase on a credit card statement. Neither is teaching your kids to handle a boat, meeting friends at a waterfront restaurant, watching a sunset from the water or simply turning off your phone and leaving the dock for a few hours. Boating is an experience people value. And when something matters, people find ways to keep doing it.
Boaters Are Adapting, Not Abandoning the Lifestyle
The Sea Tow survey also gives us an interesting look at what happens when boaters do decide to change their habits. Among respondents who adjusted their boating because of rising fuel costs:
- 53% are boating less often.
- 42% are taking shorter trips.
- 38% are staying closer to home.
- 29% are operating at lower speeds.
Those aren’t signs that people have suddenly stopped loving boating. They’re practical adjustments. Maybe the 40-mile cruise becomes an afternoon exploring a nearby river. Maybe you throttle back and enjoy the ride instead of racing to the destination. Maybe the big weekend trip becomes a shorter sunset cruise. Different trip. Same water. Same people. Same reason you wanted to go boating in the first place.
There’s More Than One Great Way to Become a Boater
One of the biggest changes we’ve seen in recreational boating is the number of choices available to people who want to get on the water.
Buying your own boat can be an incredible experience. You have your boat, your setup and the freedom that comes with ownership. For people who love everything about having their own vessel, ownership can be exactly the right choice.
But it isn’t the only choice anymore. People can rent boats occasionally. They can join boat clubs. They can explore shared-access models. They can even combine different approaches as their lifestyle changes.
We’ve previously looked at the differences between boat club membership and boat ownership because we don’t believe there’s one answer that’s right for every boater.
The important thing is finding the option that gets you on the water.
Where PowerTime Fits In
PowerTime was built for people who love the idea of boating but may not necessarily want everything that comes with owning and managing their own boat.
With a PowerTime membership, you get access to professionally maintained boats without having to personally handle many of the responsibilities associated with owning one. You reserve your boat, arrive for your trip and go boating.
For busy professionals, families and people who simply value their free time, that can make boating much easier to fit into everyday life. It also changes the financial equation. Rather than purchasing a boat because you want access to boating, a membership allows you to pay for access to a fleet and the boating experience itself.
For some people, that’s exactly what they’re looking for. For others, owning a boat will always be part of the dream. Both are good outcomes if they lead to more days on the water. If you’re curious about how the membership approach works, our guide to boat club membership and what to know before joining explains the model in more detail.
Your Time Matters, Too
There’s another interesting number buried in the Sea Tow findings. When members were asked about concerns heading into the 2027 boating season, 37% pointed to fuel prices.
But 14% said finding time to boat was a concern. That’s worth paying attention to.
The cost of boating isn’t measured only in dollars. There’s also the Saturday morning spent preparing the boat. Maintenance appointments. Cleaning. Storage. Launching. Hauling. Winterization. Repairs.
Some boat owners genuinely enjoy that side of boating. Taking care of your own boat can be part of the experience and pride of ownership. Other people would rather spend those hours on the boat instead of working on the boat. That’s one of the reasons membership models have become another attractive entry point into boating.
PowerTime handles the boat so members can concentrate on the boating.
Maybe the Question Isn’t “Should I Buy a Boat?”
If you’re thinking about getting into boating, it’s easy to believe your first decision is:
Should I buy a boat? There’s another question worth asking first:
How do I actually want boating to fit into my life? If you dream about having your own boat at the marina, customizing it, learning every system and heading out whenever you want, ownership may be a wonderful choice.
If you want to boat regularly but would rather someone else handle maintenance and much of the behind-the-scenes work, a club membership may make more sense.
If you’re only going boating once or twice a year, renting could be another option. There isn’t a universal answer. There is only the boating experience that works best for you. Our comparison of renting versus owning a boat explores some of those differences.
What Does the Sea Tow Survey Tell Us About the Future of Boating?
We see plenty of reasons for optimism. Yes, boaters are paying attention to costs. Yes, fuel prices are affecting some decisions. And yes, the industry needs to continue finding ways to make boating accessible and convenient for more people. But look at what boaters themselves are telling us.
Nearly half aren’t changing how they use their boats. More than half are boating at least as often as they did last year.
Even many of the people making changes aren’t walking away from boating. They’re adapting. They’re taking shorter trips. Staying closer to home. Running at different speeds. Looking more carefully at their boating budgets. And increasingly, boaters can also choose different ways to access the water. That’s healthy for boating.
Because whether someone buys their first center console, upgrades to the boat they’ve dreamed about for years, rents a boat for vacation or joins a club like PowerTime, another person has discovered what those of us who love boating already know: Life looks a little different from the water.
More Ways to Boat Means More Boaters
At PowerTime, we’re obviously big believers in the boat club model. But we’re even bigger believers in boating.
If buying a boat gets your family on the water every weekend, buy the boat. If renting works for the occasional summer adventure, rent one. And if you want regular access to quality boats without taking on all the responsibilities of ownership, that’s where PowerTime comes in.
The goal isn’t to convince everyone to boat the same way.
It’s to make it easier for more people to experience boating in whatever way works for them. Sea Tow’s 2026 survey suggests boaters aren’t giving up something they love simply because costs have changed. They’re adjusting. They’re finding options. And most importantly, they’re still boating.
Ready to Find Your Way Onto the Water?
If you love boating but aren’t sure traditional ownership fits your lifestyle right now, explore how a PowerTime membership works.
You can enjoy access to professionally maintained boats, convenient reservations and more time focusing on what you actually came for: being on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are rising fuel prices causing people to stop boating?
According to the Sea Tow 2026 Member Survey findings, some boaters are changing their habits, but many continue boating regularly. Forty-six percent said they are using their boats the same way they always have, while 52% said they are boating about the same amount or more often than last year.
How are boaters reducing fuel costs?
Among Sea Tow survey respondents who changed their habits because of fuel costs, 53% reported boating less often, 42% are taking shorter trips, 38% are staying closer to home and 29% are operating at lower speeds.
Is buying a boat still a good way to get into boating?
Buying a boat remains one of the primary ways to enjoy boating and can be a great fit for people who want the experience and flexibility of having their own vessel. Other options, including rentals and boat club memberships, give people additional ways to choose an approach that fits their lifestyle.
What is the difference between owning a boat and joining a boat club?
Boat ownership gives you your own vessel and the responsibilities that accompany it. A boat club membership provides access to boats while the club typically handles areas such as maintenance and storage. The right option depends on how often you want to boat, how you want to use your time and how involved you want to be in managing the vessel.
How does PowerTime make boating easier?
PowerTime provides members access to professionally maintained boats while handling many of the responsibilities behind preparing and maintaining the fleet. Members can focus more of their available time on actually enjoying the water.
Source note: Survey statistics in this article are attributed to Sea Tow, 2026 Member Survey, based on the survey findings supplied to PowerTime. Before publication, the original Sea Tow survey or press release should be linked here if available.