Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/817056
www.BoatingIndustry.com May 2017 | Boating Industry | 17 MARKET INTELLIGENCE REASONS FOR OPTIMISM We asked readers what segments they were most optimistic about in 2017 – and why. Here is some of what they had to say: "Yachts because big money has extra money to waste." "Fiberglass runabouts have been strong and I believe it's because used newer product is finally depleted in the field." "Outboard fishing and family boats … families are fishing together and boating together more than in previous years." "Tow boats – families are interested in water sports." "Outboards because of the new innovations that have come out or are coming out." "Ski – new technology and features have this segment outperforming all others." "Pontoons – demographics of repeat buyers (Baby Boomers) and Millennials." "Aluminum is up. People feel better and are spending money to fish." "The demand on pontoons is high. With so many manufacturers sold out for the model year, dealers who do have good inventory will do well." "Pontoon/outboards. Market demographics are favorable and consumer confidence is high." "Outboard fishing. Technology has made this category the most versatile and attractive to a broad range of buyers." "Sterndrive fiberglass due to new product from multiple manufacturers." "Outboards/trailerables. Too many hassles dealing with marinas, towns and harbormasters for moorings." "Pontoons, because manufacturers can't keep up with demand." "25- to 40-foot cruisers. Families have no money to spend." "Jet-powered runabouts. They have run their course." "Sail. Lack of new participants to the sport." "Small outboard-powered boats. No room or comfort." "Sterndrive runabouts. Big-motor pontoons and tri-toons have taken that market share." "Sterndrive. Customers don't see a benefit." "Pontoon, because of production problems." "Jet boats. They are harder to master and gain confidence with." "Fiberglass freshwater fish. Too much competition in markets and very low margins." "Entry-level sport boats. These boats are out of reach for the customers and they are spending on other discretionary options." "Cruiser/inboard. Less people spending more than a day on the water as other parts of their lifestyle demand more time." "Sterndrive. In saltwater, sterndrive maintenance is an issue and a block to boating." "Aluminum outboard due to competition from big-box retailers." "Sterndrive. The outboards have gotten so good, it's hard to sell a sterndrive." REASONS FOR CONCERN We also asked readers what segments they were least optimistic about in 2017 – and why. Here are some of those answers: The pontoon segment has been on the upswing since before the recession and 83 percent of survey respondents expect that to continue in 2017. Nearly half of those expect sales to be up by more than 10 percent. Only 1 percent think those sales will decrease. Readers also think fishing boats are poised for growth. Eighty percent expect the saltwater fishing category to grow this year, while only 4 percent think it will decrease. Thirty-four percent of readers think those sales will be up by more than 10 percent in 2017. Readers are nearly as optimistic about freshwater fishing sales this year, with 78 percent expecting sales to increase. About 20 percent expect sales to be up by more than 10 percent, and only 5 percent think sales will decrease for the year. They are also optimistic about the ski/tow boat category, with 74 percent ex- pecting growth. Nearly 25 percent are expecting sales to be up by more than 10 percent, and only 4 percent expect sales to be down. Two-thirds of readers expect the deck boat segment to grow this year, although most expect that growth to be less than 10 percent. Nine percent expect the cat- egory to contract this year. Finally, about half of readers expect sales of personal watercraft, jet boats and cruisers to be up this year.