Boat Steering System Market Report 2026

The boat steering system market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.13 billion in 2025 to $2.33 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of advanced steering systems in commercial and recreational boats, advancements in mechanical and hydraulic steering technologies, rising demand for precise and responsive vessel navigation, expansion of marine leisure and shipping activities, growth in integration of steering systems with onboard navigation electronics.

The boat steering system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.31 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to development of fly-by-wire and automated steering technologies, rising adoption of energy-efficient and low-maintenance steering solutions, integration with AI-based navigation and autopilot systems, increasing demand for steering systems in electric and hybrid boats, expansion in emerging maritime markets with growing recreational and commercial boating activities. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for smoother and more responsive marine steering control, growing adoption of fly-by-wire and electronic control steering solutions, rising need for reliable steering systems in commercial and defense marine fleets, expansion of recreational boating driving demand for cost-effective mechanical systems, higher focus on reducing maintenance requirements for long-distance marine operations.

The growth of tourism is expected to drive the expansion of the boat steering system market. Tourism involves people traveling and staying outside their usual surroundings for leisure, business, or other purposes. Rising disposable incomes are enabling more individuals to participate in travel and leisure activities, supporting the overall growth of the tourism sector. Within this context, boat steering systems are essential for safely navigating and controlling recreational and sightseeing boats, improving both passenger experience and operational efficiency. For example, in August 2025, the World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI) reported that Australia welcomed 8.4 million international visitors in the 12 months ending May 2025, marking a 5.6% increase from the previous year. Consequently, the expansion of tourism is contributing to the increasing demand for boat steering systems.

Leading companies in the boat steering system market are prioritizing the development of advanced solutions, such as joystick-based control systems for single-engine vessels, to strengthen their competitive position. These technologies combine throttle, shift, and steering functions into one ergonomic control point and integrate with autopilot and display systems to improve usability and precision. For instance, in February 2024, Mercury Marine, a U.S.-based marine propulsion manufacturer, launched Joystick Steering for Single-Engine Vessels, compatible with Verado V8, V10, and V12 outboards ranging from 250 to 600 hp. The system provides one-hand control for throttle, shifting, and steering, along with proportional movement and twist steering, and offers autopilot capabilities such as Heading and Route control when integrated with a multifunction display.

In February 2025, Twin Disc Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of power transmission systems, acquired Kobelt Manufacturing Co. Ltd. for $16.5 million. The acquisition aims to strengthen Twin Disc’s global presence and expand its marine and industrial offerings. By integrating Kobelt’s advanced marine steering systems and related technologies, Twin Disc can broaden its product line and enhance service capabilities in over 60 countries. Kobelt, based in Canada, is known for its precision-engineered marine steering, control, and braking systems, making it a strategic fit for Twin Disc’s growth in the maritime sector.

Major companies operating in the boat steering system market are ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd., Mercury Marine, Twin Disc Inc., Stingray Boats, Lewmar Limited, Victron Energy, Vetus B.V, Jastram Engineering Ltd., Glendinning Products LLC, Uflex USA, HyDrive Engineering Pvt Ltd., Edson International, Lecomble & Schmitt, Pretech Co. Ltd., MacnhomSystems, Hypro Marine, Techno Italia Kft Ltd., Mavi Mare, Multiflex Marine.

North America was the largest region in the boat steering system market in 2025. The regions covered in the boat steering system market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are increasing the cost of imported hydraulic components, electronic steering modules, and mechanical steering hardware, raising production and installation expenses for boat steering systems. The impact is more significant for hydraulic and electronic power steering segments in regions dependent on foreign marine equipment suppliers, including North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. However, tariffs also support domestic marine component manufacturing and stimulate innovation in locally produced, cost-efficient steering technologies.

The boat steering system market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides boat steering system market statistics, including the boat steering system industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the boat steering system market share, detailed boat steering system market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the boat steering system industry. These boat steering system market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

A boat steering system is a control mechanism that directs a vessel's movement, typically involving a wheel or tiller connected to a rudder, which alters the boat’s direction. Its primary role is to provide smooth, accurate steering, allowing safe and efficient navigation across the water. These systems are designed in various configurations to ensure precise handling.

The main types of boat steering systems include hydraulic, electronic power, and mechanical steering. Hydraulic systems rely on pressurized fluid to assist with steering, offering enhanced responsiveness and ease of operation. These systems consist of components such as steering pumps, helm pumps, hydraulic cylinders, steering wheels, and helm stations. They are used with different propulsion types - namely inboard, outboard, and sterndrive systems. Boat steering systems are distributed through both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket channels, serving key sectors such as passenger transport, commercial operations, and defense.

The countries covered in the boat steering system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The boat steering system market consists of sales of rotary steering system, rack and pinion steering system, fly-by-wire steering system, inboard steering system, and jet drive steering system. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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