Boat Dealers Anticipating A Busy Summer Season

PHOTO: A restored 1926 26’ Hacker Dolphin recently sold by Inland Boat Works. Classic boats, new models and even new electric boats are in high demand this season as water lovers are emerging from the virus lockdowns and getting ready for a great season of boating.

by Rob Levey
Weirs Times Correspondent

Summer will be here before we know it and everyone in the boating industry is excited for what they believe will be a busy season.
At Winnisquam Marine, which has locations in Belmont and Laconia, Executive Director Julie Marsh said they are advising prospective boat buyers to act quickly.
“We have some inventory, but you will literally miss the boat if you don’t plan right now,” she said.
Travis Williams, Sales Manager at Meredith Marina, agreed and said this year has been “insanely busy.”
“For people thinking they are going to buy a boat in June, that’s not going to happen,” he said. “There will not be boats available in June. If people want to buy boats, they have to purchase them now. We will definitely sell out of boats.”

In explaining the uptick in the industry, Williams said owning a boat is becoming more of a norm.
“The percentage of people purchasing a boat today is at least doubled,” he said. “Every demand on boating is up across the entire landscape.”
In addition to sales, both marinas offer rentals, albeit with some changes due to the pandemic.
“When people come, they stay in their car, and we stagger their arrival,” explained Marsh, who said they teach people to drive, too, which makes renting ideal for novice boaters.
“Life jackets are provided and people are given a map,” she added. “We have a lot of frequent renters. As they come back, there is no longer a long check-in process, which is usually between 15 and 20 minutes.”
As for emerging trends in the boating industry, Marsh cited the popularity of pontoon boats, which she said can be customized with different configurations to suit diverse needs.
A flat-bottomed boat built on floats to remain buoyant, pontoons can accommodate massive decks that include everything from expansive lounge areas to sun pads.
“They are great for families,” said Marsh, who noted her family has a pontoon. “I have two little kids, so it is perfect for us.”

Recently, triple log pontoons have increased in popularity, as these boats boast higher horsepower. Sales for pontoons, according to Marsh, are up 20 percent nationally year to year.
She said Bennington, which makes pontoons, is the biggest boat manufacturer in the world.
Another trend, according to Williams, is people are starting to shop much earlier than in years past.
“Last January and February, we had sold just a few boats,” he said. “This year, we sold many more boats during that time period than we did last year.”
“One in 5 boats sold in New Hampshire is a Bennington,” she added.
The increasing popularity of pontoon boats is not the only trend in the boating industry, as electric boat sales are also surging.

John Ryan, owner of New Hampshire Electric Boats, said he has done very well despite not having the opportunity to formally launch his business in 2020.
“The pandemic forced the cancellation of the New Hampshire Boat Show last March, which was going to be my first in-person event,” he said.
A lifelong boater, Ryan said he had seen Duffy electric boats a few years ago.
“I discovered there were no dealers on the Duffy website in the northeast region, so it spurred me to make a phone call and fly out to Newport Beach, California to talk with them,” he said.
After speaking with them, he drove to the factory after which time he was offered a dealership.
“Last year was my first year,” said Ryan, who said it did not take long, however, for him to start making sales.
“In May, I sold two boats in three days after putting a sign on my truck along with having a website,” he said.
From that point on, he said he was able to develop “a pretty good following.”
“I sold numerous boats last year,” he explained. “Everything to do with the outdoors caught on.”

Like Marsh, Ryan said the time to purchase a boat is now.
“Orders are booked through June,” he said. “Everything is going electric.”
He said the biggest selling point with electric boats is what you do not hear about them.
“You take someone in a test ride and you don’t hear a sound,” he said. “It’s like having a conversation in your living room.”
Ryan said he has also developed a partnership with a man from Goshen, NH who can outfit their electric boats with solar.
“He installed this system designed for these boats on mine, and I never plugged it in afterwards,” he said. “It was phenomenal.”
Restored wooden boat sales have also been increasing, according to Gary Michael, owner of Inland Boat Works.
“Years ago with wooden boats, there were not a lot of restored products on the market,” he explained. “Because of the networking that exists today, though, there are now a lot of restored products.”
Noting he performs some restorations himself, Michael said he primarily serves as a broker.
“We always have 27 to 30 boats here, and we have access to 60 boats that are for sale now,” he said.
According to Michael, one trend in wooden boats involves changing ways to value them. Pre-war boats (1943 or before), for instance, used to possess the most value.
“Now, the post-war boats with V8 power sell better now,” he said.
Valuation of wooden boats, however, is not an exact science.
“Some boats have skyrocketed up and some hold their value,” he said. “I have learned a lot.”
Another trend includes the increasing popularity of turnkey boats.
“People want to get in and use them immediately,” he said. “Years ago, people would buy whatever they could find. I used to sell project boats, but I don’t see much of that anymore.”
In addition to selling boats, whose owners are often personally known by Michael, Inland Boat Works sells parts, hardware and accessories.
“We have a lot of inventory here,” added Michael, who said he makes great effort to know as much as he can about any boat he sells.
“The worst thing you can do is sell a newcomer a new boat that doesn’t run or float well,” he said. “They will never buy another.”
As for his thoughts on the upcoming season, Michael — like Marsh and Ryan –anticipates a busy season.
“I’m getting a lot of emails and calls — it is just going to keep on going and going,” he said.