Sailboat sales dropped again in 2016, down almost 11 percent with declines in all categories except the 36-foot and larger segment, which was up 14.4 percent.
Imports of sailboats into the United States were up 3.2 percent, increasing for the third consecutive year to a record high of 2,344 units in 2017, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, which released its second section of its 2017 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract on sailboat trends.
Exports rebounded after six consecutive years of decline, the NMMA said.
New sailboat estimated retail sales totaled 4,900 units in 2017, down 10.9 percent compared to 2016, while U.S. sailboat production was estimated to be 3,600 units in 2017, dropping 9.8 percent from 2016.
Estimated retail sales of new sailboats totaled $203.4 million in 2017, down 5.4 percent compared to 2016.
The 2017 report includes production and retail unit sales data; export unit sales by length; import unit sales by length; estimated retail sales; and, retail sales by length.
Production and average prices information was provided by Cruising World and Sailing World magazines of the Bonnier Corporation.
The next Statistical Abstract section will cover powerboat sales trends.
