Yacht Brokerage Sales Increase in July

With 3,388 boats sold and $333 million changing hands, volume and value increased on the U.S. brokerage market in July.

The number of boats sold was up 2 percent from 3,313 in the same month last year and the total price paid for the boats rose 12 percent from $298 million, according to reports by YachtWorld member brokerages in their proprietary database SoldBoats.com.

Five of six segments of the market by length made volume gains, led by the 36- to 45-foot range, which grew from 665 to 750 boats sold, a 13 percent increase. The 26-to-35-foot bracket had 5 percent growth with 1,305 boats sold. The only area of weakness was among boats smaller than 26 feet, where sales were 9 percent lower with 1,043 sold.

The same five segments of the market made gains in the total price of boats sold for the month. In the three segments between 36 and 79 feet, the aggregate sales value increased by double-digit percentages, led by boats from 56 to 79 feet. In this range the price was up 23 percent, as $51 million was spent on 73 boats.

The highest-value sector in July was boats 36 to 45 feet, which had $100 million in sales for a 17 percent increase. The average sold price for a boat in this range was $134,000, 4 percent more than in July of 2014.

The lowest-value sector was boats smaller than 26 feet, which had $26 million in total sales value. That was the only segment with lower value than the previous year — down 3 percent — yet the average price for a boat in this range increased by 7 percent to nearly $25,000.

Powerboat sales as a whole were 2 percent higher for the month as 2,829 boats were sold. Sailboat sales climbed 5 percent as 559 boats were sold.

Source: TradeOnlyToday

Click here to read June 2015 Brokerage Report