July brokerage transactions in the United States were fewer in number, but much pricier than a year earlier.
A total of 2,871 boats were sold — 12 percent fewer than 3,257 in July of 2016 — but the transactions produced $380 million, an increase of $50 million, or 15 percent. These contrasting data were compiled based on YachtWorld member brokers’ reports in SoldBoats, the brokers’ proprietary database.
Powerboat and sailboat sales volumes were both lower by double-digit percentages for the month, as 2,407 powerboats and 464 sailboats changed hands. In July last year 2,735 powerboats and 522 sailboats were sold. The decline was 12 percent for powerboats and 11 percent for sailboats.
A slowdown in sales in the smaller-boat segments of the market was responsible for the volume disparity from one year to the next. Sales were off among boats from 36 to 45 feet, 26 to 35 feet, and under 26 feet by 12, 13 and 14 percent, respectively.
The volume of sales was higher across larger-boat segments, and notably, sales increased from 14 to 19 boats for boats 80 feet and larger; the total sales value in that category increased, as well, from $47 million to $98 million.
Despite the decline in sales volume through much of the brokerage market, average final prices increased in every category except boats from 56 to 79 feet.
As an example, among boats from 26 to 35 feet, a category in which sales fell 13 percent, from 1,255 boats to 1,090, the total value of sales declined 3 percent, from $73.6 million to $71.3 million, and the average price increased from $59,000 to $65,000.
Through the first seven months of the year U.S. sales volume was down 3 percent, with 18,011 boats sold, and the total value was up 11 percent, with $2.55 billion in sales.
A more detailed report summarizing recent U.S. brokerage sales will appear in the September issue of Soundings Trade Only.
