Info-Link: PWC, wake segments lead January sales gains

Boat sales were up for the 12 months ending in January, with all segments posting gains, 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).

Sales were up about 7 percent across all categories for the period.

The PWC segment showed the strongest results, up about 15 percent for the last 12 months. The ski/wake boat category also posted double-digit gains, up about 12 percent. The sportfish category was up just under 10 percent.

When it comes to propulsion, outboards were up just under 10 percent and the sterndrive/jet segment was up about 1 percent.