Bellwether report shows continued boat sales gains
U.S. boat sales were still running slightly less than 10 percent ahead of 2013 through November, according to a report by Info-Link, which tracks the outdoor-recreation industry. Its Bellwether report tracks boat sales across the country based on new U.S. boat registrations.
Continuing a trend the service had noted during 2014, every segment of the market posted year-over-year gains, with the exception of sterndrive/jet. That category was down about 5 percent in bellwether states in November year-over-year. The sport fish and ski boat segments also boasted gains of more than 10 percent in November year-over-year, while outboard sales grew by just under 10 percent.
Personal watercraft sales continue to be strong with sales gains of 25 percent, the report notes. Earlier in 2014, sales peaked at about 30 percent ahead of 2013.