Sailboats take to the wind as gas prices soar

Fuel costs appear to be curbing sales growth of motor vessels in Seattle

Sailboats are looking better. Trips on the motor yacht might be getting shorter.

Record fuel prices appear to be making an impact on the leisure-boat industry around Puget Sound. While sales continue to grow this summer due to low interest rates and a stronger economy, the high fuel prices appear to be cooling the rate of growth and altering the blend of watercraft attracting buyers’ interest.
Brokers say they’re seeing some buyers shift to sail or to more efficient diesels, and they say some yacht owners are shortening their trips and throttling back to a more fuel-efficient pace when underway. It’s a trend that parallels the automotive world, where fuel costs are causing many buyers to move away from big SUVs and toward smaller cars and hybrids.

“I’ve had people tell me, ‘We’ve just sold our powerboat and we’re looking for a sailboat, due to rising fuel expense,’” said Brian Gross, CEO of Windworks Yacht Sales Inc. in Seattle. “Those who are more concerned, or have more of a monthly budget, are the ones leaning more toward the sailing side of things.”

Puget Sound Business Journal