A study conducted by the Washington State Department of Licensing and the
Washington Sea Grant program is periodically released to members of the
Northwest Marine Trade Association.

Some interesting comparison from 3rd qtr 2003 to 3rd qtr 2004:

Dealers in Washington State sold 2,935 new boats July-Sept '04.
This was an increase of 107 units, and the $66mm volume represented a
13% increase. (The largest bulk of this increase was in the 19-26' size
category, with many other categories experiencing substantial percentage
decreases 03 to 04)

Washington State residents bought 794 new boats from out of state dealers. This
was an increase of 18 units, but a 78% increase in dollar volume in this
category. (Somebody bought some expensive boats out of state).

Washington State licensed vessel dealers sold 1,757 used boats during the
period. An increase of 94 units, and an increase of 32% in dollar volume.

Washington State residents purchased 274 used vessels from out of state
sources, a decrease of only 23 units, but a decrease of 65% in dollar volume.

Washington State residents purchased 12,656 used boats from private owners in
Washington State, a decrease 926 units from last year but a decrease of only 4%
in dollar volume.

Washington State residents purchased 2,551 used boats from out of state private
parties, an increase of only 16 units but a 21% decrease in dollar volume.

2 vessels were registered "unknown", with no information about the seller. This
category was down 49 boats from last year, and dollar volume was off 98%.

People moving to Washington State registered 453 "in-migrant" vessels, down 18
units for a year ago and down 67% in dollar volume.

Total units sold 3Q04 were 781 fewer than 3Q03, but dollar volume was up 17%


Types of boats sold:

The greatest number of boats sold were in the outboard category:

157 under 10'
283 11-14'
502 15-18'
297 19-22'
91 23 feet or larger

Next strongest category, numerically, was outdrive boats:

20 under 10'
4 11-14'
404 15-18'
431 19-22'
159 23' or larger

Jet boats, (including PWC):

607 under 10'
66 11-14'
17 15-18'
68 19-22'
8 23' or larger

Inboard boats

177 under 10'
39 11-14'
25 15-18'
199 19-22'
44 23-26'
5 27-30'
15 31-34'
14 35-28'
8 39-42'
6 43-46'
3 47-50'
1 51-54'
3 55-58'
1 59-62'
1 63-66'
1 67-70'
2 over 70'

There were 32 new sailboats sold. All but 10 were under 22-feet.


Looks like a lot of little boats selling, private sellers having a slightly
tougher time unloading used boats, and fewer people stepping up to larger boats
in spite of
record low interest rates, but that's just WA State.