Info-Link: November boat sales continue growth

Boat sales continued on an upward trajectory in November, with sales up nearly 8 percent, according to the latest Info-Link Bellwether Report.

The Bellwether report tracks sales of powerboats, 15-feet and larger, across the country based on new U.S. boat registrations on a rolling 12-month basis. Bellwether states are geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the US boat market (varies by market segment and time of year).

Every category — even the much-maligned sterndrive segment — posted a year-over-year sales increase for the 12 months ending in November.

The sterndrive/jet segment trailed the pack, with sales up just 1 percent, the third month in a row to show small sales increases for the category.

Other segments showed much stronger growth, with PWC sales leading the way at about 15 percent year-over-year increases. The sportfish and ski boat segments were each up about 10 percent over the last year.

Overall, outboard sales were up just less than 10 percent for the period as that segment also continues to be strong.