Boat sales growth slows in May, still ahead of 2014
Boat sales continued to grow in May, but at a slower pace than earlier this year, according to the latest Info-Link Bellwether report.
Sales were up by about 8 percent on a rolling 12-month basis in the Bellwether states, lower than the 10 percent rate of earlier this year.
The Bellwether report tracks boat sales across the country based on new U.S. boat registrations. Bellwether states are geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the US boat market (varies by market segment and time of year).
Outboards and the sport fish category lead the way for the month, with sales up just more than 10 percent, continuing a strong year for the segments.
PWC sales, which had been up more than 20 percent for the last year, slipped in May, with sales up by about 15 percent on a rolling 12-month basis. That was still the strongest growth category as the segment continues to be strong.
The ski boat segment was up less than 10 percent, below last summers’s growth rate of more than 20 percent, but still strong year-over-year.
The only segment to decline was the sterndrive/jet market, which was down about 6 percent for May. That continues a long streak of declines for the segment, which has not been up on a rolling 12-month basis since early 2013.
