Boat sales in Norway grew by 22.7 per cent to €265 million in the first six months of 2007, according to figures from Norboat, the Norwegian Marine Industry Federation.
Growth was mostly attributed to the sale of middle-sized family boats, which were up by 27.8 per cent compared to the same time last year. Sailing boats also sold very well, registering growth of around 24.9 per cent.
"We believed that the increase would flatten out but we were wrong. The market keeps on growing at the same pace as last year when we had a growth by 18.5 per cent," said Erlend Prytz, managing director of Norboat, in an interview with Norwegian boat magazine Båtmagasinet.
Import growth was exceptionally strong, with a 61.4 per cent increase in the number of motorboats with inboard engines imported into the country. The overall figure for this market segment in Norway during the period was 27.8 per cent.
Most of the boats imported to Norway came from Sweden (17 per cent), with Finland as runner up (16 per cent) and the UK and Germany tied for third place (14 per cent). US producers increased their sales by 32 per cent in total, thanks to a weak dollar and a very strong domestic market in Norway. Brands like Sea Ray, Chapparal, Rinker, Bayliner and Chris Craft are all available on the Norwegian market.
Growth was mostly attributed to the sale of middle-sized family boats, which were up by 27.8 per cent compared to the same time last year. Sailing boats also sold very well, registering growth of around 24.9 per cent.
"We believed that the increase would flatten out but we were wrong. The market keeps on growing at the same pace as last year when we had a growth by 18.5 per cent," said Erlend Prytz, managing director of Norboat, in an interview with Norwegian boat magazine Båtmagasinet.
Import growth was exceptionally strong, with a 61.4 per cent increase in the number of motorboats with inboard engines imported into the country. The overall figure for this market segment in Norway during the period was 27.8 per cent.
Most of the boats imported to Norway came from Sweden (17 per cent), with Finland as runner up (16 per cent) and the UK and Germany tied for third place (14 per cent). US producers increased their sales by 32 per cent in total, thanks to a weak dollar and a very strong domestic market in Norway. Brands like Sea Ray, Chapparal, Rinker, Bayliner and Chris Craft are all available on the Norwegian market.