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Outboard boat sales up four per cent, while unit sales declines in other categories are improving.
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Retail sales of boats are flat for July, according to Info-Link’s “Bellwether” report, which measures unit sales in the US. Bellwether states represent about half of the US boat market.
The monthly chart showed that sales were flat for the 12-month period through July 2011 compared to the same period a year ago. The “0” per cent designation on the Bellwether chart represents a continued upward trend for overall powerboat sales in the US, and the first time sales have been flat since January 2006.
Outboard-powered boats was the only category to see a lift in sales, and rose four per cent for the 12 months through July.
The other categories, which continue to experience sales declines, saw the rates of decline slowing through July. Personal Watercraft sales were down 10 per cent, while sportfishing boats were down nine per cent. Sterndrive/jetboat sales were down 11 per cent, while ski-boat sales were off by 11 per cent.
