Despite record rising fuel prices all around the developed World, due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, boating sales have not been affected as much. Probably because most of the Western and developed economies are still holding well. So yes boat sales have slowed down, and some inventory is building, but considering the record fuel prices they are actually still good.
Probably the main reason for this, is that people have got used to running less with the boats and yachts then they used to. Some years ago eighty to one hundred hours was a standard in Europe, nowadays it is about thirty to forty running hours a year. Boats are being used less, and this change is not forced today, but it is something which actually started by the end of noughties, changing boating habits.
The other indirect affect! This came from the rise of low-cost airlines and competitive Airbnb accommodation for families. With this the boating sector which benefitted the most is boat charter. A boater would always want to see the coast, and chartering has benefitted from this type of holiday.
This change in the use of boating can be seen how sub fifteen meters are designed and produced today. The sport cruiser has changed, and today most new models of boats in these sizes are designed around day usage rather then the over-night stay of the past. Before a sport cruiser ten meters or larger had to cater for accommodation a family of four would need in a cruise of a week. Today this has changed, and the classic sport cruiser is now a very small percentage of new models, with walk-around center-console cruisers being what the market actually wants.
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