Boat Dealers Industry Profile

Companies in this industry are engaged in retail sales of new and used boats, as well as boat motors and trailers; they may also offer replacement parts and boat repair services. Major US companies include MarineMax and West Marine.

The US boat dealers industry includes about 4,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $15 billion.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand for boats is closely linked to personal income, consumer confidence, and the general economy. Industry groups also examine other indicators such as home sales, RV sales, light vehicle sales, and fishing license sales to gauge demand for boats. The profitability of individual companies depends on effective marketing. Large companies may have economies of scale in advertising and purchasing. Small companies compete by specializing in a certain category of boats, such as fishing boats, or by focusing on a specific customer segment, such as sailing enthusiasts. The US industry is fragmented: the 50 largest dealers generate about 30% of revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Dealers sell new and used boats, engines, parts, and a large variety of associated products. New boats, canoes, kayaks, motors, and parts and accessories account for about 70% of US industry revenue. Used boats, canoes, kayaks, and motors account for about 15%, while maintenance and repair services account for 5%. Other offerings typically include maintenance and repair services. Some dealers may operate marinas and winter storage services; sell service ...