Sales of boats and boating equipment proved strong at Uiva Flytande (Helsinki boat show), Finland’s in-water boat show, with a turnaround in the market predicted.
The show attracted lower visitor numbers – around 10,000 over four days – but those who attended spent longer at the event resulting in exhibitors stating that the cautious market seems to be over.
“Many visitors came to the show and then returned to the site later the same day to take another look at the boats and continue their discussions with exhibitors,” explained says Jarkko Pajusalo, CEO of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat.
“Overall, the mood was positive: we are beginning to see a turnaround in boat and equipment sales.”
Expectations
Marinekauppa, which offers a range of boating equipment through its stores in Helsinki and Vantaa, brought a selection of clothing, lifejackets and docking and mooring products to Uiva, with the show meeting the company’s expectations in terms of sales.
Managing director Sebastian Kindstedt says that the company came away feeling very positive.
Arja Kunnasluoto-Gustafsson, owner of Turku-based Ocean Spirit, was also pleased with the Uiva show.
The company presented maritime-themed interior and gift products, tableware for boats and Batela clothing at its stand.
“The cautious market is beginning to turn for the better: people are once again prepared to enjoy life and spend money,” Kunnasluoto-Gustafsson said.
Positive impression
Boat World used Uiva to launch sales in Finland of the newest brand in its portfolio, Axopar, a move which proved highly successful according to managing director Mika Kouki.
“The overall impression was very positive, and we had a very good number of genuinely interested customers,” said Kouki.
“We sold four Axopars as a result of Uiva, representing sales of close to EUR 1 million excluding VAT.”
He added: “I might have hoped for slightly stronger sales in the smaller-boat segment, but we still have around 70 active quotations on the table.”
According to Riku Lehmussaari of Venemaailma representing the Bella, Flipper, Sea Ray, Sting, Nordkapp and XO brands, the market is moving in a more positive direction.
“At the moment, cabin boats used for transport to holiday homes and islands are definitely the most popular category. Interest in day cruisers, however, suggests that recreational boaters are also becoming more interested in buying a new boat again.”
Closing sales
And Jon Hautamäki of Saxdor also came away from Uiva with a positive impression.
“People came from abroad specifically to see the new flagship. From a commercial perspective, there were some very positive signs at Uiva, and we also closed sales.
“Interest was clearly concentrated at the upper end of the range,” he said.
The show also saw continued interest in the used-boat market which has remained active throughout the year with just over 13,000 changes of ownership registered in the first half of the year – around the same number as during the corresponding months last year.
The figure is around 20% higher than in 2019, the peak year before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Managing director of boat brokerage company Blue Ocean, Samuli Leisti, says the company’s boat sales have continued at the same record pace as last year, with expectations remaining positive for the 2026 season.
