Reprinted from International Boat Industry–
“Sales have exploded over the past four weeks.” That sentiment, expressed to International Boating Industry by Clarks Landing Yachts Sales general manager Dave Patnaude, is seemingly shared by a variety of boat dealers across the US. His two locations in Maryland and one in New Jersey have seen around US$4m in sales in the past month – from a used, US$15,000 runabout to a US$1m Beneteau – despite locations being closed or operating under COVID-19 restrictions
“Customers are saying ‘we’re not going on a cruise, we’re not going on vacation and renting a beach house, so we’re buying a boat to get out on the water as a family’,” Patnaude said.
Running Out of Boats
Out West, in Washington State — an early hit state with strict sheltering rules — Seattle Yacht Sales’ Martin Snyder told KATU-TV interest is high and sales are good.
“Today I was doing a Facetime showing with a client on a 60’ (18.29 m) Ocean Alexander, so this is probably my seventh or eighth showing this week,” Snyder said, adding the challenge of extra cleaning, distancing and face covering requirements have met with an understanding public.
