A boom in the used boat market
The choice of the French Nautical Industries Federation to begin its presentation of key figures for 2020-2021 with used boat statistics is emblematic of the exceptional nature of this boating season. With a strong appeal for outdoor and sailing activities and boatyards not always able to deliver, boaters have turned to second-hand boats.
The sale of used sailboats increased by +44% in 2020/2021 with 22,436 boats sold, and motorboats by +47% with 91,698 units sold. The total number of ownership transfers is 114,134.
Revenues driven by services
The turnover of the yachting sector, according to the study of the federation, stands at 4,954 million euros, an increase of +4.9 %. Services and marinas are the sectors with the strongest growth, with respectively + 5.7% and + 6.2% for 2,422 million euros and 517 million euros. The construction and import of boats and equipment shows a lower growth, but remains dynamic, with +3.5% for 1,910 million euros.
All sectors also hired, with positive net headcount balances.
Increasingly export-oriented boat production
Boat production in France has also returned to growth in 2020 2021, after a 10.6% decline the previous year. For all that, it has not yet returned to the 2018-2019 sales figure, standing at ?1,243 million compared to ?1,343.
While the number of liveaboards increased by 6.1%, driven by multihulls between 12 and 15 meters, which rose by 44.8%, motorboat production fell by 2%. the closure of several French factories had an impact on the period.
Kayaks and other unregistered boats are experiencing a boom, with a growth of +95%.
Exports continued to soar, reaching 79% of sales. Major exports are the driving force behind this growth, with exports to Europe falling by 10.3%.
Registrations on the rise
In line with the appeal of boating, new registrations are up by +18.9%. Motorboats, which account for just over three quarters of the pleasure craft fleet, are less than 8 meters in length for 90% of them. France and Italy alone account for more than 50% of new registrations.
