U.S. yacht brokers reported selling only 2,203 boats in March 2015. Although that was 501 more boat and yacht sales reported in February, it represented an 11% decrease from the year before.
In comparison, the total value of March sales ($320.7 million) was 20% higher than yacht sales in March 2014. Largely responsible for this increase in valuation was the recent sale of higher-priced superyachts; in the market segment of yachts larger than 80‘, the volume of sales rose by just 2 boats from one March to the next, but the total price paid more than doubled from $52.4 million to $110.6 million.
Apart from the superyacht market, the final price of brokerage boats was also a strength. Although the total price of boats sold that were smaller than 80 feet declined by 2%, the average sale price increased 10% from $88,000 to $96,000.
The number of powerboat sales in March decreased 11%, or 234, to 1,811, compared with the previous March. Yet thanks to superyacht sales, the total value of the boats sold climbed 24% to $292 million from $235.1 million. The decline in the volume of sailboat sales was 6% as 392 boats were sold, but without a “superyacht effect” the total value of the boats that sold also decreased, in this case by $3.2 million, or 10%, to $28.7 million.
Power and sailboat sales were lower by double-digit percentages in all market segments below 45‘ in March. The total value of boats sold increased by 4% in the smallest category, under 26‘, but declined by 10% in the 26- to 35‘ and 36- to 45′ ranges.
Among larger boats, sales volume improved in March. Volume and values were up not only among superyachts, but also in the 56- to 79-foot bracket, where 61 boats were sold, a 5% gain, and the total price paid for the boats that sold was $48.4 million, a 17% increase.
In the 46- to 55-foot range, which has been stronger recently, sales were up 4%, with 127 boats sold, but the total price paid decreased 3% to $36.3 million.
Source: Trade Only Today (John Burnham)
