May Brokerage Boat Sales Report

The volume of brokerage sales of smaller boats declined markedly in May, which reduced total sales for the month by 273 boats, or 8 percent, compared with the same month a year earlier.

Click here to read April 2016 Brokerage Boat Sales Report.

According to YachtWorld member brokerages reporting in SoldBoats, their proprietary database, 3,324 boats changed hands for a total price of $407.8 million.

Although overall volume was lower, the aggregate price paid during the month was $7.1 million higher than in May 2015 because of gains in midsize sales, especially of boats from 46 to 55 feet. In that market segment volume increased from 173 boats to 210, a 21 percent lift, and the total value of sales climbed from $47.3 million to $68.5 million.

The number sold in the segment of boats under 26 feet was down 20 percent from the previous May, sliding from 1,174 to 944. Sales in the 26- to 35-foot category were also lower — down 101 boats or 7 percent, with 1,327 changing hands. Despite the sales declines, the average price paid in both categories increased, from $24,000 to $26,000 among the smaller boats and from $59,700 to $63,600 for the larger boats.

Sales were higher among boats from 36 to 45 feet — up 25, or 3 percent — as 748 were sold. Average prices rose in this segment, too, climbing from $134,100 to $140,600.

Click here to read March 2016 Brokerage Boat Sales Report.

Sales of yachts larger than 56 feet were down slightly during the month from 99 to 95. Prices for the 82 boats that were sold in the 56- to 79-foot range fell from an average of $778,400 to $676,600. On the other hand, among larger, superyacht-size vessels, average prices increased 9 percent from $4.9 million to $5.4 million.

Overall, powerboat sales declined the most in May — 8 percent — falling from 3,039 to 2,790. Sailboat sales decreased from 558 to 534, a 4 percent slip.

Through the first five months of the year, sales volume was 1 percent lower than in 2015. A total of 11,821 boats were sold, and the total value of those that sold was 3 percent lower, at $1.57 billion.