The NMMA today reported on its Currents e-newsletter that new powerboat registrations were down through July by 0.4 percent on a rolling 12-month year-over-year basis, and down 2.4 percent on a rolling 3-month year-over-year basis. NMMA’s New Powerboat Registration Report reveals updated data each month.

The report noted that nearly 274,000 boats have been sold during the R12M period from July 2018 through July 2019, down 0.4 percent compared to the same period a year earlier.

In 2019, nearly 206,000 new boats have been sold. The NMMA told Trade Only Today that through June 2019, new powerboat sales reached their highest levels in 11 years.

“Much of the minor softness we’re seeing is weather-related with the fundamentals that drive industry sales remaining strong and new powerboat sales are still at their second-highest levels in 11 years,” said Dr. Thom Dammrich, NMMA president, in the e-newsletter. “Wake boat and personal watercraft sales are strong, with this year’s slowdown skewing toward small to mid-sized aluminum boats, a high-volume segment impacting the overall new powerboat average.”

New aluminum boat sales were down 5 percent R12M YOY and down 7 percent R3M YOY. “It’s important to note that this is coming off of 10-year highs in 2018,” Dammrich said.

Personal watercraft sales rose 8 percent on a R12M basis and 4 percent on a R3M basis.

Dammrich told Trade Only Today that personal watercraft manufacturers “are likely seeing replacement of early models which are being retired from the fleet contributing to the growth in new PWC sales.” He added that the “low-cost, fun, entry-level vessels” also offer “versatility to enjoy a variety of on-water activities from tow sports to fishing.”

Wake boats also saw gains of 6.6 percent on R12M YOY and 3.2 percent R3M YOY.

Cruisers were up 1.8 percent R12M YOY and down 0.5 percent R3M YOY. New registrations of powerboats 27 feet and larger were up 4.9 percent R12M YOY and up 8.6 percent R3M YOY.

The report said fiberglass powerboats (accounting for 58 percent of unit sales on an annualized basis), inboard boats, jet boats and personal watercraft were also up on both an R12M and YTD YOY basis through July.