JANUARY SAILBOAT BROKERAGE SALES

Slow Season for Sailboat Brokerage, But Sales Improve Over 2009

By John Burnham
Editorial Director, Yachtworld.com

In January 2010, for the third month in a row, U.S. sailboat sales decisively out-paced the same month in the previous year, according to reporting YachtWorld.com member brokers. Both unit sales and valuation rose 26 percent compared to January 2009, with 365 boats sold for a collective $28 million.

The worst stretch for sailboat brokerage sales during the recession was in the traditionally slow winter months, November 2008 through February 2009. Unit sales dropped below 400 boats per month, and for two months, below 300 boats. Sales figures over the same period have shown significant year-over-year improvement, but both units and valuation are still well behind a more normal year. For example, in 2007, 439 boats were reported sold in January at a total value of $41.6 million, so the recent unit sales are down about 17 percent and values are down by a third.

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