Boat registrations continued their momentum in November, a typically quiet month for sales, rising 8 percent year to date overall and more than 32 percent year over year, according to preliminary data from 33 states, representing more than 65 percent of the U.S. market.
Registrations were up more than 28 percent year-over-year in the main powerboat categories, and almost 12 percent year to date, according to numbers from Statistical Surveys, a Michigan firm that tracks new-boat registrations.
“Obviously we’re getting some boats sold out there,” sales director Ryan Kloppe told Trade Only Today. “It’s not huge numbers — it’s end-of-season numbers — but we’re continuing to see growth. The season is ending on a high note.”
Pontoons had the strongest month, up more than 67 percent versus November 2019 and rising more than 17 percent for the year thus far.
Ski and wake had another strong month, with registrations up more than 64 percent versus November last year and almost 19 percent year to date.
PWC registrations were up 59 percent versus last November (up 2.7 percent for the year), and jetboats rose 121 percent (up 15.2 percent for the year).
Florida appeared to be behind in tracking its registrations, Kloppe said, indicating that the numbers could strengthen when everything has been accounted.
“The needle can’t move much more. We’re up double digits for the main powerboat segments and 8 percent overall for the year,” Kloppe said. “That puts us around 307,000 units for the year, and over 300,000 for sure. The last time it’s been that high was pre-2008.”
