Boat-sales dip slowed in August

Posted on September 28, 2009

All segments posted much slower sales declines for August. Preliminary registration data for the month showed that sales for all fiberglass boats, including PWC, declined by 18.9 percent. This report is based on 25 states, or 59 percent of the U.S. market.

Fiberglass boats in the popular 14- to 30-foot segment, minus PWC, fell 21.1 percent in the early reporting states. Aluminum sales dropped 19 percent.

PWC declined by 13.3 percent in August. Higher volume in this segment helped the all-fiberglass segment outperform aluminum for the month.

Rates of decline dropped for the second consecutive month in higher-volume states, signaling a bottom to our bear market. Hopefully, dealers can hold enough inventories to continue these positive trends through the fourth quarter.

- Aarn D. Rosen

National marine sales manager

Statistical Surveys

Comments

3 September, 28 2009, 04:04 PM

By Captain Dan

As a former owner of a marine dealership, I recently went to a major boat show as a customer looking to repower an existing outboard powered boat that I own.  Of four dealers promoting the brand of engine I was interested in, none have responded to my request for pricing, including a trade.  One didn't even respond to an "on-line quote request" that's on the dealer's website.  If this is the best the the industry can do during "down times"...continued "declines" are in store.  As an industry, we should be ashamed of this level of sales effort and lack of attention to the potential customer.  Why have articles and seminars about "what to do during a down economy" when we don't even have the basics intact?  That's where the focus is needed!

 

 

 

2 September, 28 2009, 12:30 PM

By Boatman11

Kind of like Instead of you losing 100k at a blackjack table like you did a few months ago, you are only losing 75k this month.  This is what is considered good news now a days.

1 September, 28 2009, 12:12 PM

By George

Continued decline and positive trend?

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