Powerboat sales increase by almost 4 percent in April

Boat sales increased by almost 4 percent in April, according to the latest Info-Link Bellwether report.

The Bellwether report tracks sales of powerboats 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 U.S. boat market (varies by market segment and time of year).

Boat sales increased during April when compared to March, when sales grew by 3 percent.

Overall, the growth rate has been mostly declining since its peak of 11 percent in 2016.

Tow boats increased by 9 percent, outboards by nearly 4 percent, and personal watercraft by almost 4 percent.

Sportfish boat sales decreased by less than 1 percent, the same as March sales. Sterndrive/jet segment sales were down 4 percent from the previous year.