Rising tide of boat sales as buyers look for safe recreation

Economic uncertainty may be shaking other sectors of Connecticut’s economy to the core, but for the state’s boating industry, it’s full speed ahead.

Evan Cusson, the sales manager at Atlantic Marine in Westbrook said sales for for the past three months are 15 percent higher than they were last year during the same period. Cusson said boat sales are benefiting from tight inventories as well as a recognition “that it is a great activity that you can do while social distancing.”

“The boat manufacturers were closed for two months,” he said. “And so now we’re selling new and used boats, whatever we can get our hands on.”

The price range on the boats being sold, according to Cusson, is from $20,000 to $700,000.

Kathleen Burns, exec

utive director of the Essexbased Connecticut Marine Trades Association, said that historically low interest rates and low gas prices “have helped people recognize the affordability of a boat.”

“The average size boat is 18-to-20 feet and there are a lot of boats that are available for $250 (per month) in loan payments,” Burns said. “People are looking to enjoy some recreation without having to get on a plane and that’s why the same sales strength (is seen) in backyard pools.”

Sailboats also remain big sellers, she said.

Boating had a $4.1 billion annual impact on Connecticut’s economy in 2018, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The Chicagobased trade group, which represents boating industry manufacturers, reports that recreational boating in Connecticut supported 20,673 jobs across 646 businesses statewide.

Nationally, 62 percent of all boat owners have an annual household income of $100,000 or less, according to the association.

There were 90,728 boats registered in Connecticut in 2018, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s August 2019 report on boating in the U.S., the most recent available online. The registrations are for all motorboats, and sailboats 19.5 feet or more long.

The experience at Atlantic Marine and Connecticut as a whole mirrors what is happening on the national level, according to Sarah Salvatori, a spokeswoman for the group.

Personal watercraft sales last month were up 75 percent compared to May 2019, Salvatori said. Each state’s official definition regarding a personal water craft varies, but some examples are Kawasaki’s Jet Ski and Yamaha’s Wave Runner brands.

Outboard sales were up seven percent in May of this, compared to the same period a year ago, she said.

John-Michael Donahue, communications director for Marine Manufacturers

Association, said the average personal watercraft costs about $12,000, while an aluminum fishing boat costs around $36,000.

While some industry groups seek to emphasize the affordability of boating, the other end of the spectrum was on display Father’s Day weekend at the Steelpointe Yacht & Charter Show, which took place at Steelpointe Harbor and Bridgeport Harbor Marina. More than $68 million worth of boats were on display and 13 sold over the weekend, according to an official with Showpiece Shows, which organized the event.

“Old and new friends came together to enjoy this spectacular venue and get down to the business of having a good time and planning their summer fun,” said Jennifer Jones, who is show director.

Several of the yachts that were sold were in the $2.5 million to $4 million range, according to Showpiece Shows.

luther.turmelle@ hearstmediact.com

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Atlantic Outboard sales manager Evan Cusson by some of their remaining boats at the Westbrook business on Friday.