What I see in the ski boat market here in nc is that a larger number of
young adults has become interested in water sports. You also see a rise in
popularity in water sports on teen/young adult tv. There is a teen drama tv
show now that is based on wakeboarders. In the past few years at our local
lake the numbers of young adults with wakeboard boats has increased
noticably. Also older affluent adults with teenage kids. Young adults have
less finacial obligations and can spend a bigger portion of their income on
personal activities.

"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On 13 Oct 2006 18:23:22 -0700, Chuck Gould penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:


Tom Francis wrote:
A Bellwether Report issued last week by Info-Link confirms industry
reports that boat sales have been slow this year. According to
Info-Link's director of sales and marketing, Jesse Wells, "We estimate
that August year-to-date numbers represent 84 percent of all the
registrations that will occur in this calendar year, so the remaining
new boat sales activity isn't likely to have a significant impact
overall. Therefore, it looks like the decline this year over last will
be somewhere between 5 percent and 10 percent, at least for the total
15 ft-plus powerboat market." Wells did report that some segments,
such as ski boats, had better than average performance (see chart at
www.info-link.com/bellwetherreport.asp).

In related news, a report issued this week by independent training and
consulting firm, Spader Cos., shows net profits for the average boat
dealership were down nearly 20 percent during the eight months ended
August 31, compared to the same period in 2005. As of the end of
August, the average dealer earned a net profit of 5.2 percent of
sales, compared to 6.5 percent of sales in 2005.

Here's the fundamental problem with the graph. It lumps all powerboats
over 15-feet into the same category. There aren't very many powerboats
available *under* 15-feet, unless one counts dinghies, etc.


Snips

I agree with your assessment of the posted graph, but there are other
market segments available at the same url. (Check the dropdown box at
the top left of the graph.)

Even sportfishers are pretty much following the same downward trend.
The only segment that has shown any improvement is "ski boats."

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepage
http://myworkshop.idleplay.net/

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