Used Prices On The Up

Strong boat sales and a shortage of secondhand stock is pushing up prices.

- Nick Burnham

Used boat prices are rising in the wake of increased demand and reduced supply. For the first time in almost a decade, pent-up demand and a shortage of good-quality stock is pushing up the value of secondhand boats. MBY has spoken to several UK brokers and dealers, all of whom are reporting the same trend.

Berthon’s annual market report, a document that examines all aspects of the marine retail industry, records a feel-good factor in the UK that has confounded pundits and translated into strong sales of both new and used craft. Despite the uncertainties of Brexit in the UK and Trump winning the election in the US, boat sales are up across the board.

Berthon reports that “we have already doubled sales [compared to last year] promising a far better return for the 2017 financial year.”

However, the company warns of short supply, saying, “The downing of tools in the late 2000s has slimmed our sector drastically, and as yards gear up production for new demand, long lead times are inevitable.”