Yacht Sales Drop Slightly in June

The new-boat market slipped in June as sales of fiberglass boats, including personal watercraft, dropped 1.7 percent and sales in the popular 14- to 30-foot category fell 4.8 percent.

Sales of PWCs fell 9.3 percent for the month. Sales of aluminum boats rose by 0.77 percent.

The data are from 27 early reporting states that represent about 66 percent of the national market. Reports of sales of documented vessels were incomplete in the data because of entry delays at the Coast Guard.

For that reason, sales in the overall fiberglass market could be understated. Only states that provide weekly or monthly information are included, and the data are year over year.

Through June, sales of 14- to 30-foot fiberglass boats have declined 1.5 percent this year. Sales in the PWC category are down 12.1 percent for the same period; sales of aluminum boats are up 4 percent.

Boat sales remained firm in June in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions. Florida had double-digit percentage increases in the 14- to 30-foot fiberglass segment and the aluminum pontoon category. Pontoon sales also soared in Michigan, increasing 20.1 percent on 899 units. Sales in the coastal states of Texas and Louisiana were low in all categories.

Final second-quarter numbers will be reported by mid-September, when figures from states that report quarterly become available.

Source: Aarn D. Rosen