Fiberglass boat sales recover slightly in March

Sales of new fiberglass boats were up fractionally in March, after trailing prior-year figures in January and February.

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In the 14-to-30-foot fiberglass segment (the bulk of the market), sales rose 0.1 percent, according to preliminary figures from Statistical Surveys Inc. But even that small an increase “is better than sales in January and February,” said Richard L. DuMont, vice president of Statistical Surveys’ Watercraft Division.

For the first quarter, sales in that segment now are about even with 2004 results.

The preliminary report is based on registration data from 17 states, representing 40 percent of the U.S. market. Included are the major boating states of California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey and Texas.

Aluminum boat sales, which had showed impressive gains in January and February, reversed course in March and were down 1.7 percent for the month. They remain 3.2 percent ahead for the first quarter, however.

Personal watercraft continue to show impressive gains, maintaining their strong start for 2005. PWC sales were up 7.5 percent for the month, and are ahead 11.3 percent for the first quarter.

“In these early reporting states, it’s interesting that fiberglass came back slightly in March while aluminum sales fell,” said DuMont. “PWC sustained their good pace for the entire first quarter. Overall, it looks like new-boat sales in the first quarter of 2005 will produce similar results to last year.”

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