Yacht Brokerage Sales Results Mixed in April

U.S. yacht brokerage sales for the month of April increased to 2,904 boats from 2,203 in March, but lagged 3% behind sales of April 2014, when 2,994 boats were sold.

From their propriety database, SoldBoats.com, YachtWorld reports the total volume of April sales increased from $311.2 million to $476.2 million, a 53% gain.

Although higher values in superyacht sales accounted for most of the increase (up $130 million), total sales for the rest of the market rose 14% from $246 million to $281 million.

Powerboat sales of 2,427 were 3% below the April 2014 level of 2,505, and sailboat sales declined 2% with 477 boats sold.

The total value of powerboat sales increased 61% from $274.9 million to $442.3 million; excluding superyacht sales, powerboat sales values increased 17% from $211 million to $247 million. The total value of sailboats sold in April was down 5% from the previous April from $36.3 million to $34 million.

Sales of the smallest boats on the market, those under 26′, were lower for the month by 13% with 961 boats sold. The value of sales in this category increased 5% to $26 million, raising the average sale value from $22,467 to $27,028.

Midsize boats from 26′ to 35′ and 36′ to 45′ sold at slightly higher levels, up 2% and 1%, respectively.

The total value of sales increased at faster rates, as higher average prices were recorded. In the 26′ to 35′ range, the average price rose from $55,665 to $63,086. In the 36′ to 45′ range, the average price climbed from $132,216 to $138,614.

The strongest sales increase for the month was in the 46′ to 55′ segment, where volume was 26% higher with 172 boats sold. The total value increased from $39.4 million to $51.3 million, and the average final price climbed from $287,427 to $298,042.

Sales of boats both 56′ to 79′ and in the superyacht range were lower for the month, but the total value of the sales was higher. The number of boats sold that were larger than 80′ decreased from 24 to 18, yet the total value of sales increased from $64.7 million to $195.2 million.

In the 56′ to 79′ range, sales declined from 79 to 74 boats, but the total value of sales increased from $47.8 million to $55.7 million, a 16% gain.

Source: John Burnham, YachtWorld