Boat dealers are continuing to struggle with the economic downturn. According to Spader Business Management new unit sales dropped 31.0 percent in the January - April time period this year compared to 2007. Used boat sales didn’t suffer quite as badly dropping 22.2 percent. Overall total dealership sales are down 24.2 percent for the January - April time frame compared to 2007 resulting in an increase in net loss of 476.3 percent.

In order to survive the current economic downturn dealers are cutting expenses. New unit inventories have dropped 1.9 percent. Despite those efforts expense have still increased 12.2 percent as a percentage of gross margin as boat buyers continue to bargain hunt reducing overall profit margins.