The Big Chill
March 26, 2024
The Big Chill Cold weather and the winter blahs resulted in a slow start for boat sales in the first month of the year.
The Big Chill Cold weather and the winter blahs resulted in a slow start for boat sales in the first month of the year.
New registrations for aluminum fishing boats and pontoons were up in November, with overall industry year-over-year growth.
Six of the eight main powerboat segments were on the plus side for new registrations, a 4.3% increase over a year ago.
Registrations for sterndrive bowriders, 31- to 40-foot cruisers and jetboats were up, and total numbers were within 2% of last year.
The main powerboat segments were down, indicating a return to prepandemic trends and softening demand.
PWC led the way in sales over 2022, with jetboats not far behind.
According to data provided by Statistical Surveys, June was a strong month for boat sales, as weather improved in many regions.
In the second half of May, the recreational boating industry rode a small wave of positivity that could be attributed in part to the arrival of summerlike weather and to the traditional start of the season, Memorial Day.
The rainy, chilly month of April, inflation and interest rates held back buyers in some categories, but there were a few bright spots for new boat sales.
In March, 10,704 new boats were registered in the main powerboat segments, a 20% drop from 13,372 in the same month last year.
The Big Chill Cold weather and the winter blahs resulted in a slow start for boat sales in the first month of the year.
New registrations for aluminum fishing boats and pontoons were up in November, with overall industry year-over-year growth.
Six of the eight main powerboat segments were on the plus side for new registrations, a 4.3% increase over a year ago.
Registrations for sterndrive bowriders, 31- to 40-foot cruisers and jetboats were up, and total numbers were within 2% of last year.
The main powerboat segments were down, indicating a return to prepandemic trends and softening demand.
PWC led the way in sales over 2022, with jetboats not far behind.
According to data provided by Statistical Surveys, June was a strong month for boat sales, as weather improved in many regions.
In the second half of May, the recreational boating industry rode a small wave of positivity that could be attributed in part to the arrival of summerlike weather and to the traditional start of the season, Memorial Day.
The rainy, chilly month of April, inflation and interest rates held back buyers in some categories, but there were a few bright spots for new boat sales.
In March, 10,704 new boats were registered in the main powerboat segments, a 20% drop from 13,372 in the same month last year.
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