Yacht Market Report: Sailboat & Big Boat Sales Lower in May

The U.S. yacht brokerage market saw a decrease in both sales volume and total boat values in the month of May with 3,586 boats reported sold at a total price of $400 million.

The number of boats sold was 2% lower than in May 2014, and the total value was 10% less, according to YachtWorld brokerages recording sales in SoldBoats.com.

A drop in sailboat sales was largely responsible for the market’s 2% volume decline. The number sold for the month decreased from 629 to 557, while powerboat sales were virtually level, down 3 boats from 3,032 to 3,029. The total value of sailboats sold dropped 21%, from $50 million to $39 million; total powerboat value declined 9%, from $395 million to $361 million.

”The number of sailboats sold in May decreased from 629 to 557, while powerboat sales were virtually level with the same month a year ago.”

Weaker sales in the bigger-boat segments were responsible for much of the decline in market value. In the superyacht segment (80’+), compared to the previous May, sales were down from 24 to 16 boats and total value declined proportionately, to $78 million from $103 million.

Among boats 56′ to 79′, sales decreased 14%, with 83 boats sold, and the total price paid was down $11 million, or 15%.

By length, the strongest segment of the market was among boats 26′ to 35′, a range that is typically the highest volume portion of the brokerage market. Sales increased 1% in this category, with 1,419 boats sold; the total price paid was down 1%, with sales of $85 million. Powerboat sales in this range were 4% higher, with 1,142 boats sold. Sailboat sales in the range declined 12%, with 277 boats sold.

Source: John Burnham, Soldboats.com