STAY HOME AND GO BOATING – CBC SAYS COVID-19 IS DRIVING A BOAT SALES BOOM
June 3, 2020
Stories are coming out about strong boat sales both in Canada and in the US where COVID-19 has changed the vacation plans for many people – possibly for years to come.
The CBC interviewed Jes McFarlen, a sales manager for the Parksville Boathouse in British Columbia. He admitted that at the start of the COVID-19 shut-down, their business had to close indefinitely and the 44-year-old felt the wind go out of his sails — albeit temporarily.
“There was definitely a few weeks where I was worried,” he said, “until the phone just kept ringing”.
The story went on to say that as other businesses struggled to stay afloat, McFarlen and other B.C. boat sellers said they are experiencing record sales. It is clear that many Canadians see boating as a great way to enjoy recreation while following COVID-19 guidelines.
McFarlen said families are dipping into reserves normally earmarked for all-inclusive getaways and instead, are putting those savings toward a boat.
“It’s not like going to Disneyland or to Mexico,” he said. “The value is retained. At 10 years, there’s still a lot of money left there when you go to resell the thing.”
McFarlen said the past few weeks have been a real boom, with boats priced anywhere from $5,000 to $750,000 getting snapped up at an incredible pace.
View the whole CBC story here.
