Market at a Glance

November brings quieter marinas, lighter traffic on the water, and a steadier pace in the boat market as California moves deeper into the fall season. Financing conditions continue to improve, fuel prices remain favorable, and buyer engagement on the brokerage side has held up well, especially in segments where value and availability align.

Seasonal Transition

Southern California is now in its “shoulder season,” typically one of the most enjoyable times to be on the water. While activity naturally tapers from summer peaks, this period often provides some of the most meaningful market signals of the year as both buyers and sellers adjust for end-of-season timing and early 2026 planning.

Here at 50 North, we’ve seen a noticeable uptick in activity, leading to a busier-than-usual fourth quarter. Whether that reflects a broader market trend or simply a strong in-house cycle remains to be seen, but the increased engagement is a welcome sign as we move toward year-end.

California Sales Snapshot (Power Boats, October 15 – November 15)

Reported power-boat sales across California reflect typical fall seasonality, but with several encouraging highlights—particularly in the mid- and upper-mid ranges. Compared with the previous period (September 15 – October 15):

  • 41 boats sold between $100K–$250K (up 13, +46.4%)
  • 19 boats sold between $251K–$500K (down 3, –13.6%)
  • 11 boats sold between $501K–$1M (up 3, +37.5%)
  • 8 boats sold between $1M–$2M (up 7, +700%)
  • 0 boats sold above $2M (down 2)

The $100K–$250K range continues to show reliable movement, reinforcing this segment as the most consistent part of the California market. Gains in both the $100K–$250K and $501K–$1M categories are encouraging heading into year-end, suggesting continued buyer confidence where inventory, pricing, and timing align.

The jump in the $1M–$2M segment, though from a smaller base, highlights meaningful late-season activity among higher-end buyers. Even in premium categories, a mix of better financing and lower fuel costs appears to be supporting selective but steady engagement.

Overall, the numbers paint a picture of a market that remains active, balanced, and resilient for late fall, with buyers continuing to pursue quality opportunities across multiple price ranges.

Financing Environment

Lenders continue to pass through the recent Federal Reserve rate cut, and new-boat loan rates are now being offered as low as 5.99% OAC for qualified borrowers. Most buyers are landing in the 6–6.5% range on 20-year terms with 20% down. These improvements meaningfully enhance affordability compared with midsummer levels and provide greater flexibility for buyers evaluating year-end opportunities.

Macroeconomic Backdrop

The broader economic setup remains supportive. Job growth, consumer spending, and manufacturing indicators all continue to hold steady. Inflation pressures have eased, and the Fed’s recent policy adjustment has reinforced stability across lending and capital markets.

Globally, continued calming in the Middle East has contributed to improved confidence in the energy markets, helping push oil prices into a more favorable range and reducing fuel-related operating pressures. Tariff discussions, particularly around imported marine components, remain ongoing but have taken on a more measured tone than earlier in the year, providing a clearer backdrop for both consumers and manufacturers.

Industry Signals

Nationally, the new-boat market shows a modest slowdown, consistent with broader retail trends, while brokerage activity remains resilient. Dealer inventories are stable, and late-model listings have increased as owners position themselves for early 2026 upgrades.

Marine Technology & Innovation

As we head into the holiday season, I’ve been keeping an eye on some of the coolest trends in marine electronics hitting the Southern California boating scene, from AI-powered navigation and advanced night vision to next-level stabilization that can completely transform the ride.

Whether you’re thinking about upgrading your current boat or planning features for your next one, these innovations are worth a closer look. I put together a full blog highlighting what’s new, exciting, and practical for SoCal boaters,  you can check it out here:
Cool Marine Electronics Trends for Southern California Boaters

Perspective and Outlook

Across our own conversations, showings, and inquiries over the past several weeks, interest on the used-boat side has remained steady, even strengthening in categories where inventory and pricing are aligned.

New-boat sales continue to vary regionally. Here in California, activity has been measured, while markets such as Florida are reporting stronger late-year momentum, particularly in center consoles and sport cruisers.

Taken together, better financing, improving insurance availability, easing fuel costs, and consistent mid-market engagement, the tone heading into 2026 remains constructive. With fundamentals aligning and regional strengths offsetting seasonal slowdowns, the market continues to show signs of healthy balance and quiet confidence.