U.S. brokerage sales in November gained substantially in total valuation compared to November ’09. Reports by YachtWorld.com member brokerages to the proprietary database, SoldBoats.com, indicate that valuations climbed to $388 million, a 76-percent increase over the previous November. Total valuation for the U.S. market through 11 months of the year increased to $2.97 billion, a rise of $500 million from 2009.

The market increase was most pronounced for those boats over 55 feet. Unit sales increased to 77 boats, from 48 in November ‘09 (up 60 percent), and total valuation of sales increased to $231 million, up nearly 300 percent.

November unit sales were 2 percent higher, with 1938 boats changing hands. That figure exceeded the five-year average for November by 60 boats—the first time in 2010 that a month’s sales had beaten the average. Year-to-date unit sales have increased 9 percent over the first 11 months of 2009, with 27,900 boats sold.

Powerboat sales, which drive roughly 80 percent of the brokerage market, were up 3 percent with 1504 boats sold, while sales of sailboats dropped 3 percent, to 434 boats. The difference in total valuation of sales was more dramatic, with powerboat valuation up 105 percent and sailboat valuation down 31 percent. Year to date, the two market sectors are more closely aligned, with power up 10 percent in units compared to sail, which is up 7 percent. Most of the gain in valuation, however, has been in powerboat sales, which are up 22 percent for the year while sailboat sales are up only 7 percent.

John Burnham is Editorial Director of Dominion Marine Media. Soldboats.com Tip: Often, December is a month that gives us a little time to reflect on the past year and plan for the next. It’s a great time to use SoldBoats.com to review year-to-date sales figures to identify trends that can help you revise your marketing strategies. A simple example could be that in Maryland, sales peaked in May and June and then had another small bump in November. If you run a Maryland brokerage, use that data to plan your marketing campaigns and capitalize on the peaks or fill in the valleys.