U.S. brokerage sales dipped in October for the second month in a row, falling 9 percent as 2,029 boats were sold, compared with 2,225 in the same month last year.
The total value of boats sold in October rose 4 percent, however, moving nearly $10 million higher to $274.4 million, according to reports by YachtWorld member brokers in SoldBoats, their proprietary database.
Powerboat sales volume and values were the primary drivers behind the reported changes. The number of powerboats sold in October decreased from 1,768 in 2015 to 1,591 this year, a 10 percent shift. The total value of those sales rose 6 percent from $227.1 million to $240.1 million.
Sailboat sales declined 4 percent during the month as 438 boats were sold, down from 457 last year. The total price paid for sailboats in October decreased from $37.9 million last year to $34.3 million this year.
The decline in volume was in all segments of the market by length, but was off the most among boats under 36 feet. Sales of boats 26 to 35 feet were down 11 percent; 802 boats were sold, compared with 899 a year earlier.
Among boats shorter than 26 feet, sales were 15 percent lower as 471 boats were sold, down from 555. For the two categories combined, the total sales value was $63.3 million, down $5.1 million from the previous October.
Sales were nearly level among boats from 36 to 55 feet as 688 were sold, four fewer than last year. The total value of the sales increased by $5 million, however, as a total of $117.7 million was exchanged.
Sales volume slipped for boats 56 feet and above from 79 to 68, but the total price paid was close to $10 million higher.
John Burnham is the managing editor of Dominion Marine Media.
A more detailed report summarizing recent U.S. brokerage sales will appear in the December issue of Soundings Trade Only.
