John Crawford Marine sees boat sales 'slingshot'

Matthew Hodson © John Daffy

Matthew Hodson © John Daffy

COVID-19 might have shut down boat sales initially, but they've rebounded like a slingshot, according to marine industry consignment specialist, Matthew Hodson of John Crawford Marine.

The Brisbane-based business, established 56 years ago and which specialises in used trailer boat sales, described late May as being "like three Christmases in two weeks".

"That has created a vacuum in stock," Mr Hodson said.

"Sales were made right across the range now leaving us with our lowest stock level in the 21 years I have been at JCM."

"We've had first time buyers as well as people who have owned multiple boats streaming through the display yard."

"More than half of our recent purchasers, have been first time boat buyers which is encouraging for the marine industry."

"We've had family groups, couples and singles inspecting and then buying almost immediately. We're also seeing more and more women deciding that they want to go boating in their own right and seeking expert instruction, which we're happy to provide."

"Buyers have been particularly focussed on aluminium side and centre console models from 4.4 metres to 4.8 metres powered by four stroke engines from around 40hp to 75hp; bow riders in the five metre to 5.6 metre range which are ideal family craft and some larger offshore models."

"Even the last of the trailer-sailers, a class of vessel which has suffered a dramatic decline in popularity from a sales point of view over the last few years, have been sold."

"In the last few weeks, sales have been running at around quadruple the established rate for this time of year," he said.

"The key purchase price bracket is the $10,000 to $30,000 mark with selective weekender type models up to $140,000, also drawing keen interest."

"We had two weekends when we didn't even have time to answer email inquiries - we were attending to people in the display yard and also on the phone and then following through on the Mondays."

"We are still trying to source boats to sell as part of the follow-up to the inquiries so from a seller's perspective, now is a great time to list a boat for sale, provided that it is of high quality which is the sector our business specialises in."

"It doesn't have to be a highly priced vessel, but it has to be high quality in its market segment," Mr Hodson said.

The John Crawford Marine business model sees it selling approved boats on behalf of their owners.

As part of that process, every boat contracted for sale on consignment undergoes:

• Pre-sale mechanical testing including reading the engine's computer modules
• A Personal Property Securities Register Search as part of a title guarantee
• Vessel and trailer inspection and report
• Preparation of vessel for sale including detailing services
• Vessel storage, display, water testing and transportation arrangements where required

"There was some confusion as different administrative messages about whether or not you could go boating and under what circumstances, were distributed, withdrawn, amended or clarified," Mr Hodson said.

"But once Maritime Safety Queensland said boating was safe as long as the social distancing protocols were in place, the pent-up demand to buy a boat was unleashed," Mr Hodson said.

"At a personal level, I think a lot of it also has to do with families reconnecting and putting a greater value on their leisure time and mental sanity."

"And I think owning a boat is understandably going to be seen as a far more preferable way to go "over seas" than cruise ship holidays in the immediate future," he said.

Matthew Hodson can be contacted (07) 3890 2322 or via JCM's website: www.johncrawfordmarine.com.au