Wednesday, March 31, 2010

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Prout International

Sales of catamarans remain brisk, despite signs of a looming recession. Large catamarans continue to be sold worldwide. Of note, sales valued at greater than a million dollars seem sustainable. A 2009 Prout 72SVFS-04 sold for between $2 to $3 million Thailand most recently. Prout also sold a P-45S-05 this quarter. Meanwhile, a 2000 56' Aikane sold for $1.1 million in January, while a 2004 58' Catana sold for $1.6 million in February. Furthermore, the worldwide reach of sales illustrate that catamarans are popular throughout the globe.

In the U.S. alone this year, 14 transactions were recorded between January and March. U.S. sales in January included a 44' Lagoon 440 for $660K, a 44' Lagoon 440 for $540K, a 44' St. Francis Mark II for $405K, a 42' Lagoon for $598K, a 42' Manta for $296K, a 42' Manta MK II for $395K, a 41' Lagoon for $325K, a 40' Manta for $275K, and a 40' TRT Multihull for $160K. In February, a 44' Lagoon 440 for $689K was sold in the U.S. U.S. sales in March comprised of a 47' Alwoplast SA Crowther for $400K, a 47' Robertson and Caine for $265K, a 46' Robertson and Caine for $640K, and a 42' Fountaine Pajot Venezia for $214K.

Another hotspot for catamaran sales was the French West Indies. In January, a 56' Aikane sold for $1.1 million. In February, a 75' Fountaine Pajot sold for $672K, a 58' Catana Catamaran sold for $1.6 million, a 56' Fountain Pajot sold for $869K, and a 41' Lagoon Catamaran sold for $308K. Among other locales in the Caribbean, a 42' Custom Balicat sold for $200K in Trinidad and Tobago (January), a 41' Jeanneau Lagoon 410 sold for $295K in the British Virgin Islands (January), a 47' Lagoon sold for $390K and a 41' Lagoon sold for $397K in St.Maarten (February and March, respectively), a 45' Robertson and Caine sold for $255K in Martinique (February), and a 40' Robertson and Caine sold for $406K in St. Lucia (February).

In Europe, catamaran sales are healthy. France boasted a 43' Outremer Outremer 45' sale for $474K in January, a 50' Custom Class Multi for $395K in February, a 47' Oceanos for $316K in February, and a 45' Leopard for $356K in February. In the UK, a 50' Lerouge Custom sold for $821K in January. In Italy, a 41' Lagoon was sold for $442K in February. In Greece, a 43' Catana 431 went for $490k in March.

Catamaran sales found popularity far and wide; Prout recently sold 3 P-67's in one week. In the Seychelles, in January, a 44' Nautitech sold for $632K. In Australia, in February, a 43' Easton catamaran sold for $414K. In the French Polynesia, in February, a 50' Custom Pulsar Racing boat sold for $788K. In Mexico, in February, a 41' Lauren Williams Custom sold for $104K while a 40' Robertson and Caine sold for $285K. Other catamaran sales include a 41' Lagoon for $200K in January;a 46' Fountaine Pajot Bahia for $472K in February; and a 47' Robertson and Caine for $496K in March.

Clearly, catamaran sales continue at a vigorous clip, notwithstanding the impending recession. It seems like this luxury good's market is sheltered from the weakening economy. For specifics, please find attached listings of late model large catamarans sold between January 1, 2008, and March 30, 2008. If you have any questions or would like a complimentary appraisal on your yacht, email boats@proutinternational.com