Yacht Sales Slightly Decline in August According to SoldBoats.com

Yacht brokerage sales dropped 5% in August compared to 2013, with a total of 2,862 boats changing hands, down from 3,027. Based on reported boat and yacht sales by YachtWorld member yacht brokerage firms in SoldBoats.com, the total price paid declined 1%, from $304 million to $302 million, and the average price paid per boat rose 5%.

As in July, when sales were also off against the previous year, both power and sail sectors completed fewer sales. Powerboat sales were down 5%, with 2,347 boats sold, and sail was off by 6%, with 515 boats and yachts sold. The $257 million paid for the powerboats was lower by 3 percent, but the average price paid climbed by 3 percent, from $107,000 to $110,000.

The number of sailboats sold decreased by 6%, but the value of sales increased from $39 million to $45,000 million. That increase was nearly all due to the sale of 2 superyachts (over 80′) for a combined $5.6 million, when none were reported sold a year earlier in August. Nonetheless, excluding the sale of the 80’+ sailing yachts from the calculation, the average price paid for sailboats during the month increased 6%.

Superyacht sales also stood out as the only growth segment, with a total of 22 power and sailing yachts changing owners, up from 15 a year earlier. Yet the average sale price achieved in this volatile category declined 38 percent from $4 million to $2.5 million.

In contrast, all other size ranges experienced the opposite results, reduced number of boat sales yet at higher average prices. Unit sales were off by the most among boats 56-79– (down 8%) and boats under 26′ (down 7%). The other two mass-market categories, 26-35′ and 36-45′, were each down 5%.

One of the strongest gains in average price was recorded among boats 26-35′, where 1,105 boats sold for an aggregate price of $61 million, up slightly from August, 2013, when 1,169 boats sold for $60 million. The average price paid in this size range rose from $51,000 to $55,000, an 8% uptick.