ABC attendees take their manufacturing story to Capitol Hill

Recreational boating industry leaders will spend the day on Capitol Hill today as part of the American Boating Congress (ABC), meeting with congressional staff to advance policies that protect access to America's waterways, strengthen infrastructure, and keep U.S. marine manufacturing globally competitive.

Access to public waters is foundational to recreational boating - and it is the through line for every meeting with policymakers. In particular, the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund is one of the leading federal mechanisms that keeps boaters on the water, generating more than $3.5 billion every five years for boating infrastructure, Coast Guard safety programs, and supporting more than 9,000 public access points across the country. Reauthorization must be completed before Sept. 30, 2026.

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is equally critical. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites draw 269 million visits per year - one in 10 Americans. A strong WRDA 2026 would allow the Corps to retain recreation fees and reinvest more than $100 million every two years directly into the waterways and facilities that boaters and anglers depend on.

Recreational boating generates $230 billion in annual economic activity and supports more than 812,000 jobs across 36,000 businesses nationwide. Ninety-five percent of boats sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S., and 93 percent of boat builders are small businesses. The jobs and communities that are supported by the recreational boating industry demonstrate that manufacturing in America can thrive when the right policies are in place. For the recreational boating industry, that means thoughtful regulations and smart legislation that supports the growth and investment of manufacturing across the U.S.

With Congress on recess this week, ABC attendees' meetings will take place primarily with legislative staff - the professionals who draft bill text, conduct research, and advise lawmakers on the policy details that shape final legislation.

These conversations help policymakers understand the real-world impact of federal decisions on American manufacturing, small businesses, and outdoor recreation. From protecting access to public waters and strengthening recreation infrastructure to supporting marine innovation and maintaining global competitiveness, ABC gives the recreational boating industry a unified voice in Washington. Together, attendees are reinforcing a simple message: smart policy can support conservation, strengthen American manufacturing, and ensure the next generation of boaters can continue enjoying our nation's waters.

Thank you to our American Boating Congress sponsors and co-hosts for their support this year:

Official Sponsors: Yamaha, MarineMax and Informa Markets (Executive); Brunswick (President); Suzuki Marine, Correct Craft, Tiara Yachts (Admiral), Vetus Yanmar, BoatUS, Smokercraft Boats, Volvo Penta, Indmar Marine, Honda Marine (Captain); Design Concepts - Marine Concepts, BRP, Northpoint Financial, International Yacht Brokers Assoc., Marine Retailers Assoc. of the Americas, Transhield, Center for Sportfishing Policy, imtra (First Mate); Faria Beede, Monterey and Blackfin Boats, Uflex USA, Suntex Marinas, Chaparral Boats, Infolink (Purser).

Supporting Sponsors: Brunswick, ILMOR Marine, Patrick Industries, Boats Group, alliant group, Sunbrella, Regulator Marine, Firecrown Media, BoatUS, Faria Beede, Rollick, National Marine Electronics Assoc.