Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/459961
February 2015 | Boating Industry | 15 www.BoatingIndustry.com MONTHLY RESEARCH a decline. Expectations for cruisers are even lower, with only 24 percent expecting growth and 29 percent predicting a decrease in sales. Optimism for 2015 Readers continue to report strong year-over- year growth and are optimistic about the over- all market for this year. For the fourth quarter of 2014, 67 percent of readers said they had higher revenues than the same time in 2013. Only 13 percent re- ported a decline in revenue, with 20 percent fl at from a year earlier. That's in line with reports from other in- dustry groups, with Info-Link data showing overall sales up 9.4 percent year-over-year through September and the National Marine Manufacturers Association putting the in- crease at about 8 percent for the year. Readers expect that success to carry over into the fi rst quarter of 2015 as well. More than 70 percent are planning for a better quar- ter than Q1 of 2014. Only 5 percent expect revenue to be down from the poor start to 2014, when cold weather hampered sales in much of the country. MOST OPTIMISTIC We also asked readers what segment of the market they were most optimistic about this year. Considering the results of the survey, it's not surprising to see pontoons and outboards well represented. Here is some of what they had to say: "Outboards – manufacturers have more new models for consumers to choose from." "Inboards are growing in our areas … less problems and maintenance." "Saltwater fi shing, outboard powered center consoles. Seems like everybody wants one." "Gasoline sterndrive – the new technology and models, including drives, will reignite interest in this category with performance, maintenance and total cost of ownership improvements." "Pontoon boats. They are great for families." "Jet power because of price point and shallow water abilities." "Deck boats or multipurpose boats that don't look like an aluminum beer can. You can have performance as well as space like a pontoon." "Deck boats – baby boomers are getting older by the day." "Inboard, driven by the increasing watersports boat enthusiasts." "Pontoons are more stylish and offer options not available in other boat types." "Small runabouts are overdue for an increase. Manufacturers of those products are pulling out all the tricks to increase sales." "Jet – the 'real boat' offerings from Chaparral and RBH will legitimize the propulsion type." "PWC – the Sea-Doo Spark is bringing in an entirely new buyer." "Electric propulsion … is close to becoming a signifi cant part of the market and waiting for battery technology to catch up." CURRENT CONDITIONS December 53.7 November 50.2 FUTURE EXPECTATIONS December 65.7 November 60.4 In this regular monthly feature, we track the optimism of Boating Industry readers to help us get a read on the industry. A reading of zero means equal numbers of people are experiencing or expect growth as contraction, so any number above zero is a positive. BOATING INDUSTRY INDEX Predicted growth by propulsion type Sales expectations for 2015 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Outboard Sterndrive Inboard Jet (excl. PWC) PWC Sail Increase Flat Decrease Predicted growth by boat type Sales expectations for 2015 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Pontoon Saltwater fishing Deckboat Ski Bass Runabout Cruiser Increase Flat Decrease 2014 Q4 revenue vs. 2013 Up more than 25 percent 7% Up 10 to 25 percent 32% Up less than 10 percent 28% Flat 20% Down less than 10 percent 8% Down 10 to 25 percent 3% Down more than 25 percent 2% PREDICTED GROWTH BY PROPULSION TYPE Sales expectations for 2015 PREDICTED GROWTH BY BOAT TYPE Sales expectations for 2015 2014 Q4 REVENUE VS. 2013 Source: Boating Industry survey