Excel Boats enjoys huge spike in summer sales

Sales of inflatable boats are surging for one Midlands-based company.

Excel Boats, which manufactures and sells inflatable and rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), reports a sales increase of 100 per cent for the company between May and August this year.

“The pandemic and subsequent lockdown has presented a huge challenge for many people, yet the lifting on watersports back in May proved to be a revelation for our business,” says Excel Boats director, Terry Wright.

“Orders for our craft increased two-fold compared to the same period in previous years and it was quite remarkable when we completely sold off all stock by the end of August.”

Excel Boats produces an extensive range for the recreational boating and commercial marine markets. New models released this year included the Excel Virago 570 with Suzuki 115hp outboard. The lightweight RIB offers a similar layout to the Virago 520 but with a deeper freeboard and pronounced chine. Excel’s fully inflatable Volaire range has also been expanded to include 4.8 and 5.3m options. The range was initially developed for the emergency services and military markets but is now popular with recreational boaters, the company says.

Despite limited stock levels, Excel Boats will be exhibiting at BOATS2020.