Brokerage sales hit four-year milestone

Posted on 11 July 2011

ShareTweet

Both the number of boats sold and the total value of the sales increased in June, compared to June 2010, according to reports by U.S. brokerage members of YachtWorld.com. Unit sales rose 1 percent, but the 3,446 boats was higher than in any month since 2007.

Total sales value rose at a steep rate (43 percent) to $411 million in sales. This was the second month in a row of extraordinary valuations; in May, sales totaled $552 million.

In the first six months of 2011, the number of boats sold lagged 2 percent behind the same period in 2010, with sales of 15,370 boats. However, the total value of boats sold increased 14 percent on sales of $1.86 billion.

June is typically the peak sales month of the year for U.S. yacht brokerages, but the numbers were higher than what’s been normal in recent years. The primary reason is a surge in sales of higher-valued boats over 55 feet long. Unit sales in that size range grew by 26 percent in the first half of the year, and total sales value was up 43 percent to $773 million.

A more detailed report summarizing recent U.S. brokerage sales will appear in the August issue of Soundings Trade Only.

— John Burnham

Dominion Marine Media editorial director.

Comments

4 Tuesday, 12 July 2011 05:52

So true!

As a surveyor I know for a fact that a rapidly increasing number of european buyers just send their surveyor over "the pond" to come up with suggestions and set the entire deal for them.
Due to a cheap USD vs Euro/SEK the market in the States are still very good value for money spent.

The money the buyers saves in just having the surveyor travelling they spend on shipping the boat to europe, ie all happy and a good deal!

Rgrds, Nils Blomster / Surveyor, NB YACHTING of SWEDEN

3 Monday, 11 July 2011 16:47

Our buyers are mostly American and want the perfect boat for nothing. I think they are getting it!
Yes, there will be less inventory soon. We are now struggling to find boats and that will be a problem for several years.

2 Monday, 11 July 2011 16:02

I was out boating for a week in New England and there are a lot of boats sitting high and dry that have not been launched for the season. Harbors that are usually packed on perfect summer days were noticeably less busy. There were open slips in marinas that are usually full. It is still a buyers' market.

1 Monday, 11 July 2011 14:56

I had a gangbuster June and July is looking strong too. ALL my sales (45'-58' 2006-2010 models)were to oversea's buyers. I wonder about others. My July "nibbles" are to Americans, but warn them that while they're "thinking about it"- more than likely a foreign buyer will grab (many just send surveyors instead of coming themselves) their dream boat. American buyers aren't "getting it"- the inventory of of good late model yachts are increasingly going further and further afield. If they think boats are too expensive NOW- just wait a couple of years. It's all about Supply and Demand isn't it? What do you other Brokers think?

Add your comment

Your name:	Required, screen names acceptable
Your email:	Required, will not be published
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Comments Policy.:
Word verification:
	Post Preview

yvComment v.1.21.1