The bear has gone, at least temporarily, back into his cave.
Good news for sellers, not as good for buyers, and a greater number of boats on
the water rather than languishing in sales yards and brokerage docks.

Exhibitors at a little boat show in Evererett WA in March sold more than 100
out of the less than 300 boats on display. That's a very, very, successful
show.

Boats will always be a "buyers" market, but if a buyer now hears "there's
another offer on the boat" it's possible that it could be a relative bull
market rather than absolute bull***t.


From the Northwest Marine Trade Association


Boat sales in Washington State soared during the 1st quarter of 2004, according
to a report from the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA).

New boats sales by dealers saw the largest increase - 17 percent in units and
25 percent in dollars over the same period in 2003.

King County continued its reign as boating leader in Washington, accounting for
more than 18 percent of the state's sales during the quarter.

Total boats sold (new and used) were up six percent from the 1st quarter in
2003. The increase in units meant $15.8M more in sales.

"Boats are selling right now," said Michael Campbell, president of the NMTA,
which produces the Seattle Boat Show in January and August, and the Everett
Boat Show in March. "It appears people are gaining confidence in the economy
and with the great weather we've been having and record low interest rates,
buyers are coming aboard."

Boats are selling so well, the Association canceled its three-day parking lot
sale scheduled for Factoria Mall during the opening weekend of boating season
in early May.

"Dealers simply don't have enough boats to display during the event," said
George Harris, NMTA vice-president and boat show director. "From what I've
heard, they've had such a successful start to the year that they have to focus
on delivering boats that have already been purchased because they've sold more
than expected."

The NMTA began collecting the sales data in July 2002 from the University of
Washington Sea Grant program, which uses boat registrations from the Department
of Licensing to compile the information.

For complete sales information, including data from the past 21 months, visit
the Member Services section of www.nmta.net.

Northwest Marine Trade Association. The NMTA represents more than 850
companies in the recreational boating business, including boat dealers, boat
brokers, marinas, boatyards, boat and boating accessory manufacturers,
retailers and suppliers of boating accessories and services. The NMTA produces
the Seattle Boat Show each August and January, and the Everett Boat Show each
March.