Monthly reports on sales of new, used and brokerage boats provide the industry with the information to understand its market and follow consumer trends and buying patterns.
An onslaught of new and returning customers kept dealers busy in what is typically a slower time of year.
Widespread shutdowns took a toll on new-boat sales.
Registrations dropped in response to the crisis.
A strong February foreshadows a different story.
The nearly complete registration data shows the sterndrive category’s continuing decline.
The ski and wake segment was up 3.8 percent year-to-date, passing sterndrive sales as towboat popularity continues to grow.
New-boat registrations rose in October, thanks to a late-season sales surge. Except for PWC and wake boats, however, year-to-date sales were lower than 2018.
Boat registrations up 1.5 percent in July in the main powerboat categories.
The growth indicates weather-delayed purchases.
Pontoon and aluminum boat sales dropped in May.
April registrations were up for pontoons and towboats.
Boat registrations fell in February, with dips in outboard and fishing segments.
Boat registrations rebounded slightly in January, boosting industry confidence.
Despite lower boat registrations in December, analysts are upbeat about 2019.
November is the third consecutive month of sales declines.