Florida Leads Big-Boat Market Rebound!

As recently reported in Soundings Trade Only magazine, there's a rebound happening in the boating industry and Florida, particularly Southwest Florida, is taking the lead! The first few months of last year saw very low sales volumes, but by mid-year big-boat brokers saw sales that surpassed the monthly units for all of 2008. By the last quarter of 2009 Florida brokers led the big-boat sales, which "bred guarded optimism about 2010." This optimism hasn't been so guarded in Naples as there was a record turnout in attendance at the recent Naples Boat Show, and many left as new boat owners! "In a good year we sell maybe one or two boats and plant a few seeds" reported Pete Kostuk, yacht broker with Galati Yacht Sales here in Naples. "This year we sold all four display boats in the first two days which included two buyers we'd never met before." He added, "Boaters may not be going as far or as fast, but they're still buying boats"! *pictured are some of our favorite passengers onboard Ithaka!

Older inventory, which brought sales down the past couple of years, is being absorbed and dealers are now introducing new models. Values on trade-ins are also becoming more acceptable as folks in the market to either 'buy up' or 'trade down' are taking advantage of the new inventory. Everyone agrees that it's a good time to buy a boat in Naples Florida, just as it is a great time to buy a waterfront home! Call us today for a list of all the waterfront best buys! 239-370-0574

Thanks and happy boating!