June Yacht Market Report
Activity Moves Up the Price Ladder · 50 North Yachts
The first half of summer is here, and the market has matched the season. June sales were stronger across most of our tracked tiers, with the most movement happening in the upper-middle of the market. California inventory came in a bit tighter than May. The San Diego International Boat Show came and went, the West Marine restructuring took shape, fuel prices are starting to come down, and there’s some interesting news out of the Federal Reserve worth talking about. Lots to get into this month.
On Our Radar This Month
- A meaningful pickup in the $501K to $1M tier and other June sales takeaways
- Where California inventory sits this month
- The latest on the West Marine restructuring and what’s coming for California
- Boat loan rates, holding steady from May
- Marine fuel prices at the dock and the broader oil picture
- The Federal Reserve’s June meeting, a new chair, and what it means for buyers
- Our take on the San Diego International Boat Show
- A new blog: how we helped a client find his next yacht 3,000 miles from home
California Sales, May 15 to June 15
| Price Range | Boats Sold | vs. Prior Month |
| $100K to $250K | 40 | down 3 |
| $251K to $500K | 24 | up 2 |
| $501K to $1M | 15 | up 12 |
| $1M to $2M | 6 | up 5 |
| Above $2M | 0 | down 3 |
| Total | 85 | up 13 |
The story this month is the $501K to $1M tier, which jumped from 3 transactions in May to 15 in June. That’s the biggest single-tier movement we’ve tracked in this report. The $1M to $2M tier also picked up, going from 1 to 6. Between them, those two tiers added 17 transactions and accounted for most of the overall gain. The middle of the market held its pace, and the $100K to $250K tier was slightly lighter than May. The above-$2M category came in at zero this month after three sales in May.
The bigger picture is that buyer activity moved up the price ladder this month. Whether that holds into July, we’ll see.
California Inventory, Mid-June
California listings came in at 1,974 mid-June, slightly tighter than May. The one tier that grew is the $501K to $1M range, which lines up with the sales activity we just covered. Sellers in that range are seeing the action and bringing their boats to market.
A Note on These Numbers Going Forward
As I wrote about in a recent blog post, the search and listing landscape in the boat market is unbundling. The California figures we track here represent a meaningful slice of used power boat activity, but increasingly not all of it. We’ll keep reporting these numbers each month because they’re useful for spotting trends and reading the pace of the market. Just keep in mind that the direction is more reliable than the exact counts.
West Marine: Empty Shelves, Real Opportunities
Last month we wrote about West Marine’s Chapter 11 filing. June gave us the first official picture of how things will shake out.
The company confirmed 59 store closures on June 1, about 30% of its retail footprint, across 23 states. Five California stores are on the confirmed list. That said, the consulting agreement West Marine signed with its liquidator was written for up to 95 closures, so a second list is likely coming. We’re keeping a close eye on it and will share specifics on any additional California closures as they’re officially confirmed.
A couple of practical things for boaters. First, liquidation sales at the affected stores are running through late September, so if you’re stocking up on parts, electronics, or gear, there’s real opportunity there. Second, the company is aiming to come out of Chapter 11 by mid-August, with operations continuing as usual at the stores that stay open.
What we said last month still holds. When a category leader steps back, room opens up. We’re already seeing local and regional suppliers step in, and we’ll keep flagging the ones worth knowing about as things settle.
Financing
Boat loan rates from our lender partners are holding steady from May. Here’s where well-qualified buyers stand today, fixed rate, 20-year terms:
- $50K to $99K: 74%
- $100K to $249K: 24%
- $250K to $499K: 99%
- $500K and up: 74%
Extended terms, variable rate options, and buydown programs are still available depending on the deal. If you’re working through financing and want to talk through specifics, give us a call.
The bigger picture on rates is worth a separate note this month.
The Fed Held Again, and the Picture Has Shifted
The Federal Reserve held its target range at 3.50% to 3.75% on June 17, the fourth meeting in a row without a change. It was also the first meeting under new Chairman Kevin Warsh, who replaced Jerome Powell. A couple of things worth knowing.
The Fed’s own outlook for the rest of the year flipped. The dot plot, which shows where individual policymakers think rates are headed, now points to a possible rate hike before year-end rather than the cut they were signaling a couple of months ago. That’s a real reversal.
Worth saying that the Fed isn’t holding because the economy is in trouble. They’re holding because things are genuinely strong. Stock markets are near record highs, GDP is growing, employment is steady, and consumer activity is healthy. The Fed’s focus is on keeping inflation in check while the broader picture can absorb it.
For boat buyers, the takeaway is the same as last month. Current marine lending quotes are favorable by any historical standard, and there’s no good reason to wait around for rate cuts that may not come this year. The window we have right now is a good one.
Fuel: Prices Are Starting to Come Down
Last month we said fuel relief was on the way as oil prices eased. That’s starting to play out.
WTI crude (West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark price for a barrel of crude oil) has settled into the high $80s on continued progress with the Iran ceasefire and signals that the Strait of Hormuz situation is calming down. That’s beginning to work its way through to fuel prices at the dock.
At San Diego marina fuel docks today, marine diesel is running roughly $5.30 to $5.60 per gallon, and marine gas is between $6.50 and just over $7.00 per gallon. Marinas adjust their prices daily based on local conditions, so it’s always worth a quick call or a VHF check before you pull in. The direction is heading the right way, though, and that’s what matters if you’ve been holding off on a longer cruise because of fuel costs.
San Diego International Boat Show Recap
The San Diego International Boat Show ran June 11 through 14 at Harbor Island. Here’s how we saw it.
Attendance was lighter than we’d hoped to see. The buyers who did come through, though, were serious. A lot of them were actively shopping rather than just browsing, and a number of boats moved out of the show, which is the real measure of whether a show worked for the sellers who participated. Other dealers and brokers I’ve talked to echoed the same thing. The people who showed up were ready to engage, even if there weren’t as many of them as we’d like.
We came away cautiously optimistic. The quality of the conversations was strong, and we’d love to see more foot traffic next time around.
The Right Boat Isn’t Always in California
I just published a new blog post called The Search Doesn’t End at the State Line, about a recent transaction where we sourced a 64-foot yacht in Florida for a California client. The post walks through how we handled the survey process from 3,000 miles away, dealt with hurricane-season insurance issues, coordinated international shipping, and managed the import through Mexico.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s involved when the right boat happens to be in another state (or country), this one lays it all out. Worth a read, and I’d love to hear what you think.
A Look at the Months Ahead
Some encouraging signals this month. Buyer activity moved up the price ladder. Financing held steady. The fuel relief we talked about last month is starting to show up. The new Fed chair brought some changes in tone but nothing that’s disrupted the lending environment, and the broader economic backdrop is in good shape.
For buyers, the combination of steady financing, eased fuel costs, and a market that’s actively moving makes this a good window. For sellers, the buyers who’ve been working through their decisions are now closing, especially in the upper-middle of the market. The summer is shaping up well for both sides of the table.
Thanks as always for reading. If there’s a topic you’d like me to cover in a future report, send it my way.
Mark Gibbons
President and Owner, 50 North Yachts
All sales data represent California used power boat transactions, reported on a rolling 15th-to-15th basis. Inventory data reflects active listings at the time of reporting. Financing rates quoted as OAC; actual rates subject to credit profile, vessel age, and lender terms. Sources: 50 North Yachts internal sales and inventory data; OceanPoint Funding (June 2026 rate sheet); Federal Reserve (June 17, 2026 FOMC statement and Summary of Economic Projections); U.S. Energy Information Administration; San Diego marina dock fuel pricing; West Marine Chapter 11 court filings (Delaware Bankruptcy Court).