Signs of recovery are appearing in Finland’s boating industry after the post-pandemic downturn with the number of registered boats in the country increasing by almost 3,000 in in the last 12 months.
The used boat market has grown by 11% compared to 2024.
As of July 2025, Finland’s national watercraft register listed 246,000 boats, of which 214,000 were motorboats, an increase of 2,928 vessels over the 12-month period from July 2024 to July 2025.
“According to first registrations, the boating sector would appear to be at its lowest point this year.
“However, the sale of unsold stock boats has significantly boosted the total fleet size. These boats are not visible in first registration statistics,” explained Jarkko Pajusalo, CEO of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat.
Growth in outboard-powered boats
The growth has mainly come from outboard-powered boats, with registrations rising by more than 2,200.
The register, maintained by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, includes all boats at least 5.5 meters in length or with an engine power of at least 15kW (approximately 20hp), as well as personal watercraft.
The Finnboat report points to a contrast between first registrations and the total fleet with motorboat first registrations falling by 17%, however the total number of motorboats in the register rose by the same percentage.
“The reason is the agreed statistical method with Traficom, where ‘new’ boats are defined as those built in the current year and the two preceding years.
Optimistic mood at Helsinki In-Water Boat Show
“During the pandemic, many boats were built but remained unsold, and their later sale does not show up as new registrations.
“This statistical anomaly is quickly resolving itself, so there’s no reason to change the method,” Jarkko points out.
The release of the report follows on from the Helsinki In-Water Boat Show where there was an optimistic mood.
Visitor numbers at grew slightly with nearly 11,000 attended Finland’s leading late-summer boating event.
“After the event, there’s definitely a cautiously positive mood among consumers,” said Mika Vanhala, CEO of boating equipment retailer Oy Esco Ab.
Key technical shift
Jussi Sepponen, CEO of Mercury Marine EMEA, says he has also noticed signs of recovery, pointing out that the marine industry often emerges from recessions later than other sectors.
And he highlighted a key technical shift – a move towards outboard engines in increasingly larger boats.
“This has been enabled by engine development. Engines are bigger, more powerful, and efficient, making it practical and economical to run large boats with outboards. This trend is reshaping both boat design and buying behavior,” he said.
The sailboat market also appears to show signs of recovery with Samuli Leisti, importer of Danish X-Yachts, reporting a particularly strong year.
Record-breaking demand
“Despite the challenging atmosphere earlier, we expect this season to be the strongest in 15 years for us, Ajola Yachts (importer of Beneteau and Hallberg-Rassy), and Hansail (importer of Hanse and Dehler),” said Samuli.
And he noted that the brokerage firm Blue Ocean which he also operates has experienced record-breaking demand in the large yachts used market.
“Last year we sold 67 used boats in total,” said Samuli. “By August this year, we have already sold 80 – on pace with the boom years during the pandemic.”
The next Helsinki In-Water Boat Show Uiva Flytande will be held on 13–16 August 2026 in Lauttasaari, Helsinki.
The next Helsinki International Boat Show – Vene 26 Båt, will take place on 6–15 February 2026 at Messukeskus, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
