New boat registrations soared again in September, rising 8.5 percent year to date in the main powerboat categories and 34.3 percent year over year in those segments, according to preliminary data released by Statistical Surveys Inc.
Every single category in the main powerboat segments was up at least 24 percent year over year; pontoons and bowriders were up 47 plus percent, and ski and wake was up 37.5 percent.
All other categories were up also, with the exception of PWCs, according to registration data from 29 early reporting states, accounting for almost 60 percent of the U.S. market.
“I think people bought some boats this year,” SSI sales director Ryan Kloppe told Trade Only Today. “Everybody is up except PWCs, and that’s because everything has already been sold.”
The industry as a whole was up 5.8 percent year to date, and more than 20 percent year over year. Demand has been so strong that dealers have said getting new boats to sell has proven challenging.
“This is all a great problem for the industry to have,” said Kloppe. “Sales are up during a pandemic, which is really good. We think demand will still be there the following year for people who couldn’t get into the market this year. We’re seeing double-digit increases in every area except PWCs. The recreational world is doing well.”
