Rate of powerboat sales decline lowest since 2006
MIAMI — Powerboat sales continue to decrease, but the 8 percent decline seen in May is the lowest in almost five years, according to Info-Link Technologies Inc.’s Bellwether Report, which provides a rolling 12-month year-over-year percent change in unit sales.
Info-link’s graphs can be viewed by clicking here: Info-Link Bellwether Report.
You have to go back to July 2006 to see a rate of decline less than 8.0 percent. The “all states” rate of decline as of March 2011 is 10 percent. To see a lower rate, you have to go back to February 2008.
“The trend is clearly significant in that we are slowly headed toward
stabilization,” said Jesse Wells of Info-Link.
Outboard boats got the closest they’ve been to stable in years with a decline of 2 percent. Unit sales of personal watercraft declined about 18 percent. Ski boat sales improved in May after losing ground in April. Unit sales were down approximately 18 percent. Sterndrive/jet boats were down about 28 percent. Outboard sportfishing boats were down about 21 percent.
The Bellwether Report is based on new U.S. boat registrations in geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the U.S. boat market.
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