PWC, ski boats lead boat sales growth in August

Powerboat sales continued their year-over-year sales growth in August, albeit at a slower pace than in recent months.

The September Info-Link Bellwether report shows August 2014 sales about 9 percent higher than in August 2013. Recent months had seen year-over-year increases above 10 percent. The Bellwether report tracks boat sales across the country based on new U.S. boat registrations. Bellwether states are geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the US boat market (varies by market segment and time of year).

PWC sales, which have shown robust year-over-year sales increase throughout 2014, continued to be strong in August, up almost 30 percent from a year ago. Ski boat sales were up more than 15 percent, off their 20 percent growth pace of earlier this year, but well ahead of most other categories. Sportfish sales were also strong, up nearly 15 percent.

Overall, outboard sales were up 10 percent over the last year. Sterndrive and jet sales continued to be down year-over-year, but less than 5 percent compared to August 2013.

 Correction: An earlier headline for this article referred to sales being up in September. While the report was issued in September, sales data is from August.