Gen Z Is Driving Boating’s Boom — and They’re Changing the Way We Celebrate Fall
Last Updated on October 23, 2025 by Boatsetter Team
A generational shift on the water
Boating is no longer just a summer pastime or a coastal luxury — it’s becoming a year-round lifestyle. This fall, Boatsetter data shows that Gen Z is quickly catching up to Millennials, now making up nearly one-third of all bookings.
Millennials are still the top spenders, driving most $1,000+ bookings, but Gen Z is setting the tone for the future. Their rise signals long-term health for boating as both an industry and a lifestyle.
Bigger groups, stronger connections
Fall is the season of togetherness, and Boatsetter bookings reflect that. Group boating experiences remain one of the strongest categories across the platform. Large group trips (9+ passengers) continue to lead demand, showing that consumers crave social, shared experiences on the water.
Medium-length outings (5–8 hours) are also seeing steady popularity — proof that guests are seeking immersive, connection-filled days that balance flexibility with quality time. These balanced, social experiences are becoming the heartbeat of modern boating culture.
Boatsetter Insight: Guests consistently choose group outings for the connection and shared experience they bring — proof that boating remains one of the most social ways to spend time on the water.
From coastlines to lakes
Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago will always be iconic boating hubs. But emerging inland markets like Lake Austin, Seattle, and Salt Lake City are holding steady or growing year-over-year. This shift proves boating isn’t just a coastal escape — it’s a lifestyle that resonates everywhere.
For fall, locals are using nearby lakes and rivers as easy, spontaneous escapes — bringing boating into the everyday rhythm of life.
Spotenuity: The rise of spontaneous trips
We call it spotenuity — spontaneous + opportunity. Forty percent of holiday-week trips were booked just days in advance.
That’s the on-demand mindset at work. Just like booking a concert ticket or a last-minute getaway, consumers want boating available when the moment feels right. Fall weather makes that even more appealing, since guests can plan around the best days for sunshine and changing foliage.
The takeaway
Millennials may still spend the most, but Gen Z is driving the momentum behind boating’s growth. They’re booking more often, bringing bigger groups, choosing mid-length experiences, and blending captained and self-driven adventures. With inland markets expanding and spotenuity on the rise, boating is evolving from a summer trend into a year-round lifestyle built on connection, flexibility, and adventure.
Ready to see why Gen Z is leading the way? Book your next boat day — whether it’s a last-minute sunset cruise, a lake day with friends, or a milestone celebration — at Boatsetter.com.
Boatsetter empowers people to explore with confidence by showing them a world of possibility on the water. Rent a boat, list your boat, or become a Boatsetter captain today.
