Let’s face it. COVID-19 has presented huge challenges for everyone this past year.
But it’s not all bad news.
COVID is Creating a Boating Boom
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), boat sales in 2020 were the highest in 13 years, with the boom expected to last well into 2021 as the pandemic continues to influence social and recreational choices. “2020 was an extraordinary year for new powerboat sales as more Americans took to the water to escape pandemic stress and enjoy the outdoors safely,” according to NMMA President Frank Hugelmeyer.
That’s great news for brokers and manufacturers – the market for new and used boats is red hot. More people than ever are seeing boating as a way to get out of the house and onto the water to enjoy the outdoors in the safety of relative social isolation.
Eager boaters – many of them first-time buyers -- are buying up almost anything that floats, including day boats, fishing boats, ski boats, and cruisers. The competition is fierce. People are often buying used boats online -- sight unseen -- and we’re having trouble keeping new inventory in stock, as we’re selling boats on order even before they arrive at our brokerage.
The challenge our industry is facing is quite literally keeping up with that demand. Brokerages and manufacturers alike are feeling keen pressure to keep up.
But more importantly, the challenge for you is to do your research and plan ahead so you won’t be disappointed this summer.
Research Our Exclusive Brands
InterMarine is the certified local dealer for Chaparral boats, Four Winns Boats, Belzona center consoles, Wellcraft center consoles, Jeanneau powerboats, Prestige Yachts, and Bayliner boats as well as the North American distributor for Nuova Jolly RIBs. We have uploaded walk-thru videos for just about every boat model we carry right here on our website. You can also explore these brands on their respective websites to download brochures and explore options for customizing and outfitting your perfect boat. Some manufacturers offer extra goodies for your shopping pleasure.
Jeanneau Power Boats offers a virtual boat show here. You can virtually “walk the dock” and explore all of their Leader, NC, and Merry Fisher models in the safety and comfort of your home.
Prestige Motor Yachts allows you to browse all of its luxury yachts on its site via its virtual boat show.
Use these resources to gather the information you’ll need to make a decision based on the kind of boating experience you and your family are looking forward to experiencing this summer.
And when you’re ready, or you need help to make your decision, reach out to us here at InterMarine Boats.
InterMarine Boats is Here to Help
We recognize that it’s been challenging to get an up close and in person look at new and used boats, especially with most in-person boat shows being cancelled during this unprecedented pandemic.
That’s why we’ve expanded our online presence to offer you tools to help make your boat-buying experience safer, limiting the need for in-person contact while you research and browse available boats.
For example, we’ve added the option for you to schedule a virtual tour of any of our featured boats – both new and pre-owned – at a time convenient to you.
We’ve also added more than 360 videos and “virtual tours” to our website, like this one for the Prestige 520 F.
You can also use our InterMarine YouTube Channel to research our featured brands and get a look at footage from the world’s biggest boat shows as well as behind-the-scenes features from our boat yard.
We’ve also built in links to our real-time text chat system (Kenect) for every listing on our website, so you can interact directly with one of our knowledgeable salespeople and get your questions answered.
And, InterMarine customers are welcome to join our exclusive Escapade boating trips. During these trips, a small group of fellow boaters get together for a getaway while observing all coronavirus safety precautions. InterMarine Escapades are perfect now more than ever because they allow you to fully socialize with like-minded individuals while maintaining social distancing measures.
As always, you are welcome to call, email, or stop by any of our South Florida boat and yacht sales locations. InterMarine Boats is here to do everything we can to make sure your summer boating dream become a reality.
February 25, 2021
