Lower Volume, Higher Prices for U.S. Brokerage in November

After monthly performances generally pacing behind 2013 by single digit percentages, U.S. brokerage sales were 12 percent lower in November, with 1,749 boats sold, compared to 1,983 in the same month a year earlier. Despite the lower volume, SoldBoats.com reports by YachtWorld member yacht brokerages were that the total value of the boats sold in November increased by $20 million, to $251 million.

Monthly Sales

The seemingly contradictory increase was the result of higher value sales in the segment of boats 80 feet and longer, in which 11 boats were reported sold for $68 million, compared to 12 vessels for $33 million in November 2013. Excluding the sales data in this category, the aggregate price paid for boats sold in November was lower by $15 million rather than higher by $20 million—down by 8 percent rather than higher by 9 percent.

The total prices paid in most size ranges below the superyacht level were less in November 2014 than a year earlier. The exceptions were among boats 46 to 55 feet and boats shorter than 26 feet, each registering an increase of 2 percent in aggregate price paid, even as sales volumes declined by double digits.

Boats under 26 feet up 17 percent

In both of the other high volume segments of smaller boats – 36 to 45 feet and 26 to 35 feet – sales were 12 percent lower and total value was off by 8 and 6 percent, respectively.

As reported a number of times earlier this year, monthly average sale prices generally improved; in November, the average in each segment below 55 feet rose between 5 and 17 percent. The largest percentage gain was 17 percent, an increase among boats under 26 feet from $20,600 to $24,100.

Both powerboat and sailboat sales were down by double-digit percentages for the month. The number of powerboats sold declined from 1,537 to 1,385, or 10 percent, but sail was off by far more, with sales decreasing from 446 to 364 boats sold, or 18 percent. The report for sailboat sales is notable, considering that in October, sales increased by 3 percent over the same month a year earlier.

Source: YachtWorld