The new boat market in France has continued its downward trend, particularly for monohull sailboats and motorboats under 9 metres, which represent nearly half of the total volume.
These figures for the 2024-2025 season have been presented by the French Nautical Industries Federation (FIN) at its annual general meeting.
However, the FIN points out that while activity has declined, there are encouraging signs.
In the six month period from September 2025 to February 2026, the decline in new registrations has eased.
The previous decline follows two exceptional post-Covid years, which had driven the sector’s revenue to a record high.
Promising momentum
Despite lower volumes, the segment of motorboats over 9 metres is managing to compensate in terms of value and the segment of large sailboats and multihull motorboats is showing promising momentum, says FIN.
Production revenue has returned to its 2021-2022 level, but the export rate has strengthened further and has now reached more than 80%.
The used boat market and the issuance of new licenses remain at a high level, which FIN points out demonstrates the continued strong appeal of recreational boating.
Following the meeting, the FIN board of directors re-elected Jean-Paul Chapeleau as president for a new two-year term.
The executive committee was also re-elected alongside him, consisting of Jean-Claude Ibos (Wichard SAS), Fabrice Lacoume (Yamaha Motor Europe), Stephan Serra (Uship SAS), Nicolas Gardies (Fountaine Pajot-Dufour) and Gérard Lachkar (AGL).
Development of sustainable boating
In addition, Benoit Chatillon (Tenderlift) and Guillaume Pujol (Yanmar) were also elected to the board.
The FIN has stated that it will continue to concentrate on organising a range of boat shows during 2026.
“The FIN is committed and will continue to do everything possible to provide an environment conducive to the development of sustainable boating, to stimulate confidence among participants in the future of our activities and to offer our companies and professionals events and shows that are a source of new opportunities,” said Jean-Paul.
And he added that in an uncertain national and international context, boat shows confirm their role as benchmarks and drivers of activity.
