U.S. Yacht Sales Continue Positive Trend in June 2013

After a record-setting month in May (best month in 5 years), yacht brokerage firms in the United States recorded another strong month of sales in June, selling 3,558 boats, 172 fewer boats than in May but 101 more than in June, 2012. According to reports in Soldboats.com, U.S. brokerages not only sold 3% more boats and yachts, they sold them for a total price of $482 million—55% higher than the previous year.

Powerboat sales, which were up 5%, drove the overall gains in June, with 3,025 boats sold. By comparison, sailboat sales were 5% lower, with 533 boats sold. Powerboat values increased 67 percent higher in total price paid, with $445 million changing hands, while all sailboats sold for $37 million, a decrease of $8 million from June 2012.

The largest volume gain was recorded among boats 26 to 35 feet, with 106 additional boats sold for a total of 1,430 in June 2013. Most other size ranges showed increased or level sales, with boats under 26 feet showing the only decrease—35 boats to 1,230.

Most of the value gain appeared in the superyacht category, where sales increased modestly from 17 to 20 boats between June 2012 and June 2013, yet the aggregate price paid climbed from $38 million to $191 million.

Of more significance to the majority of brokers, higher average prices were paid for all boats up to 45 feet in length. Despite the dip in unit sales of boats under 26′, total price paid increased by $1 million or 4%, with $27 million paid. In the 26′ to 35′ range, total price paid increased from $72 to $82 million, and among boats 36 to 45 feet, price increased from $81 to $88 million.

Prices appeared to come under uneven pressure among bigger boats. In the 56′ to 79′ range, unit sales and the total price paid were relatively flat compared to June 2012. But in the 46′ to 55′ range, the aggregate price declined from $45 million to $44 million despite the sale of 160 boats, 7 more than in June 2012.

The strong 2nd quarter in the U.S. almost made up for a slower first quarter in terms of the overall number of boats sold. For 2013, through six months, the number of boats sold was 16,245, 1% lower than in 2012. Total price paid was 21% higher, with $2.13 billion changing hands.

Average prices improved in the high-volume part of the market under 45′ by more than 3%, with 14,959 boats sold for $901 million. While the market between 46′ and 79′ showed softness; superyacht sales rose by 4%, with 103 boats sold, and their combined sale price was $737 million, more than double the amount that 99 boats and yachts sold for in the first half of 2012.

Source: John Burham, Yachtworld