Yachtworld: Broker sales up 6% in U.S., 21% in Europe

Dominion Marine Media (DMM), a division of Dominion Enterprises, has released new global sold boat data in its latest YachtWorld Market Index for the third quarter of 2015. The report shows variations between the U.S. and European markets, but on the whole the picture is positive with yacht brokers reporting to have sold more boats at a higher total value during the three month period, versus sales in 2014.

In the third quarter of 2015, the total value of boats sold saw a very healthy increase, with six percent growth in the U.S. and 21 percent growth in Europe. The U.S. also saw a two percent increase in terms of volume of brokerage boat sales, compared to that in 2014, while they remained even in Europe. Strong sales values in the third quarter have helped to boost the total sales value for 2015 to date in both markets, with the U.S. currently two percent above and Europe five percent above 2014 sales figures.

This edition of the YachtWorld Market Index also includes the five top selling brands in the biggest brokerage classes on each continent.

According to SoldBoats.com, the top Power Cruiser brand in the U.S. was Sea Ray, with 75 percent higher sales than the second place Bayliner. Sea Ray also tops the Express Cruiser and Motor Yacht classes, while Boston Whaler tops the Center Console and Saltwater Fishing classes. Marlow Hunter is the top Sail Cruiser brand.

In Europe, Jeanneau tops the Sail Cruiser and Power Cruiser brand classes, with Sunseeker the biggest Motor Yacht brand. Beneteau is the highest selling Sail Cruiser/Racer, and Sealine tops the Sports Cruiser category.

The Q3 YachtWorld Market Index for 2015 is now available for download at www.dominionmarinemedia.com. With its extended range of data and commentary, it provides invaluable insight into the nuances of the U.S. and European markets. As usual, the data for the report was derived from SoldBoats.com, the proprietary database in which both U.S. and European members of YachtWorld record their sales.

YachtWorld Brand Manager Katy Judge, commented: “In the wake of record footfall numbers at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the latest edition of the YachtWorld Market Index echoes that positive outlook as we head towards the new year. This index features a ranking of the five most-sold brands in each class, and we look forward to continuing to provide a deeper dive into the data with the full 2015 Market Index report early next year.”