Despite a leap-year February that was 3 percent longer than the same month a year earlier, U.S. brokerage sales volume was incrementally weaker for the month at 1,607 boats, 3 percent fewer than the 1,655 that were sold last year.
The total price paid for the boats that sold was 6 percent higher with $220.5 million changing hands, according to YachtWorld members reporting in SoldBoats, their proprietary database.
Sales of powerboats were off by 20 at 1,341, yet the total value of powerboat sales increased 10 percent to $201.7 million. Sailboat sales, after a strong January, declined by 28, or 10 percent, to 266 boats. The total value of sailboat sales for the month was $18.8 million, down 23 percent.
The overall increase in value in the U.S. market in February was attributable to the higher average value of sold boats that were 80 feet and longer. Volume in the category rose by just one to 15, but the total price paid was $55.1 million — an average increase of 76 percent from $2.1 million to $3.7 million.
Brokers who sell boats from 26 to 35 feet sold 50 fewer (552) in February. Although that segment regularly has a higher sales volume than any other, sales were virtually the same in the under-26-foot category — 551 boats, which was a 4 percent gain from the previous February. Average prices reported were relatively unchanged in the 26- to 35-foot range, but they were up from $24,100 to $25,100 among the smaller boats.
The other segment that contributed to the February sales decline was boats from 46 to 55 feet, where sales declined by 20 from 125 to 105. Total value in the category was down 22 percent and the average price in the segment declined from $315,000 to $294,000.
John Burnham is the managing editor of Dominion Marine Media.
A more detailed report summarizing recent U.S. brokerage sales will appear in the April issue of Soundings Trade Only.
