Marine Market Report Q3 2026: Boat Values, Segments & Industry Trends

• As the selling and boating season winds down, dealers are generally reporting either elevated levels of non-current inventory or healthy inventory positions resulting from conservative ordering strategies throughout the year.

• Consumer resistance to elevated new-boat pricing is driving increased consideration of used inventory, particularly newer pre-owned models that offer similar features at a lower cost.

• During Q3, the sweet spot for dealer interest remained boats from the 2021-2024 model years, with 2023 models standing out as the most sought-after, while interest declined notably among vessels dating back to 2017 and earlier.

• According to JD Power Marine Advisory Board survey results, members report typical discounting around 5–15%, with manufacturer programs ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars which is helping to move inventory.

• Economic factors such as high fuel prices, rising interest rates, and the upcoming mid-term election are some of the constraints seen the current marketplace.

JD Power Specialty Vehicles

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