Founded by National Marine Manufactures Association (NMMA) and Michigan State University (MSU), the Recreational Marine Research Center (RMRC) conducts original industry research, analyzes the data and publishes final reports (only available to members). RMRC conducts special studies (e.g., market analysis, economic impact assessments) for recreational boating agencies, organizations and marine businesses.

Engaged in boating-related research since the 1960’s, the NMMA and MSU bring extensive experience to this new initiative, but the RMRC is also structured to represent a broad-based industry effort, pooling the resources of multiple stakeholders. Research priorities and activities of the RMRC are overseen by a board of directors.

During 2003- 04’ RMRC was involved in a number of different studies including; the economic impact of boating in Great Lakes states, (2) wage and salary study of Michigan marine businesses, (3) attitudes toward required wear of life preservers by adults in all boats that are underway, (4) boat owner annual spending, (5) trips spending profiles for different size boats and, (6) the impacts of fuel prices on boaters.

RMRC also conducts quarterly surveys of marine business leaders from different sectors to gauge performance (e.g., sales, inventories) and optimism regarding the future. The Marine Business Leaders Outlook is distributed to participants at the end of each quarter.

The RMRC providers research that its members cannot find anywhere else. Its focus is on collecting data across the broad spectrum of the recreational marine industry, supplying information to facilitate informed decision making.

In addition to supporting the industry’s business needs, the information compiled by the RMRC is invaluable providing credible data that supports marine industry positions regarding legislation, public policy, local access problems and other related issues.

To efficiently monitor consumer patterns, the RMRC maintains and regularly surveys a nationwide survey panel of more than 10,000 frequent boaters (owners and non-owners). The panel data helps identify trends in boater preferences, levels of involvement, spending, life cycles of ownership and related behaviors. Panel data can be segmented by type and size of boats owned, boating activity, anglers, geography, marine customers, access sites, and more. Having a Boater Panel in place also significantly reduces the turn-around and expense of conducting emerging special issue studies. Recently the Panel was used to: conduct a study of fuel price impacts, gauge boater opinions on a proposed requirement that adults wear life preservers while underway in boats, and conduct bi-weekly surveys of spending on boating trips.