Yacht Brokers Report Overall Decrease in Sales in March

U.S. yacht brokers reported selling only 2,203 boats in March 2015. Although that was 501 more boat and yacht sales reported in February, it represented an 11% decrease from the year before.

In comparison, the total value of March sales ($320.7 million) was 20% higher than yacht sales in March 2014. Largely responsible for this increase in valuation was the recent sale of higher-priced superyachts; in the market segment of yachts larger than 80‘, the volume of sales rose by just 2 boats from one March to the next, but the total price paid more than doubled from $52.4 million to $110.6 million.

Apart from the superyacht market, the final price of brokerage boats was also a strength. Although the total price of boats sold that were smaller than 80 feet declined by 2%, the average sale price increased 10% from $88,000 to $96,000.

The number of powerboat sales in March decreased 11%, or 234, to 1,811, compared with the previous March. Yet thanks to superyacht sales, the total value of the boats sold climbed 24% to $292 million from $235.1 million. The decline in the volume of sailboat sales was 6% as 392 boats were sold, but without a “superyacht effect” the total value of the boats that sold also decreased, in this case by $3.2 million, or 10%, to $28.7 million.

Power and sailboat sales were lower by double-digit percentages in all market segments below 45‘ in March. The total value of boats sold increased by 4% in the smallest category, under 26‘, but declined by 10% in the 26- to 35‘ and 36- to 45′ ranges.

Among larger boats, sales volume improved in March. Volume and values were up not only among superyachts, but also in the 56- to 79-foot bracket, where 61 boats were sold, a 5% gain, and the total price paid for the boats that sold was $48.4 million, a 17% increase.

In the 46- to 55-foot range, which has been stronger recently, sales were up 4%, with 127 boats sold, but the total price paid decreased 3% to $36.3 million.

Source: Trade Only Today (John Burnham)