The sluggish economy didnt dampen the buying mood of thousands of seasoned and new boaters as a record total of $2.1 million in boats and accessories were sold at the 28th Annual Newport Spring Boat Show, held recently at the Newport Yachting Center in downtown Newport, Rhode Island.
“Due to The Yacht Brokers Association of Americas (YBAA) continued involvement and the expanded on-land and in-water display space, there was a broader range of boats in size and price at the show,” stated Nancy Piffard, Show Director at Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the show. “This led to even more options for show attendees and, as a result, a lot of sales activity.”
The show spotlighted powerboats, sailboats, multi-hills and dinghies, from 8 ft. to approximately 60 ft., exhibited by brokers, dealers and private sellers. Of the 153 boats that were showcased at Newport Yachting Centers land and dock space, more than 30 percent were sold during the three-day event, with powerboats making up 75 percent of the sales.
Brokers and dealers, including Louis Marine, LTD., Hewitts Cove Marina, BLM Yacht Sales, Boat World, American Marine & Boat Sales, Hunt Yachts and Brig Inflatable Boats, all had a profitable weekend. The largest boat sold by a broker/dealer was a 56ft. sailboat for $400,000. Boats sold by private sellers included a 27 Formula powerboat that sold for $71,000.
The exhibitor booths also reported brisk sales. More than $8,000 in electronics, nautical sportswear, foul weather gear, engines, equipment and memorabilia were sold. Service industries, such as finance and insurance companies and pre-purchase surveyors, also reported profits.
The Newport Spring Boat Show is owned and produced by Newport Exhibition Group, which also owns and produces the Newport International Boat Show, September 12-15 in Newport, RI. Newport Exhibition Group is a division of Newport Harbor Corporation, an employee owned company, which is located at 366 Thames Street in Newport, Rhode Island. For exhibitor information or to display a boat in next years Newport Spring Boat Show, call 401-846-1115, or visit our website at www.newportspringboatshow.com.
