Finnish boating sector shows signs of recovery, reports Finnboat

Finland’s boating sector is seeing modest growth after the post-pandemic downturn, according to industry association Finnboat. The number of registered boats grew by nearly 3,000 vessels over the past year, while the used boat market rose 11% compared with 2024.

As of July 2025, Finland’s national watercraft register listed 246,000 boats, including 214,000 motorboats. This represents 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,” says Finnboat CEO Jarkko Pajusalo.

Outboard-powered boats drove much of the growth, with over 2,200 added to the register. The registry, maintained by Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, covers vessels at least 5.5m in length or with engines of at least 15kW (20hp), along with personal watercraft.

Notably, motorboat first registrations fell 17%, even as the total registered fleet grew 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,” Pajusalo explains.“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.”

Attendance at the Helsinki In-Water Boat Show (Uiva Flytande), held last weekend in Lauttasaari, increased slightly with nearly 11,000 visitors. “After the event, there’s definitely a cautiously positive mood among consumers,” said Mika Vanhala, CEO of boating equipment retailer Oy Esco Ab.

According to Jussi Sepponen, CEO of Mercury Marine EMEA, the show met engine manufacturers’ expectations. He notes that the Finnish boating market is beginning to recover, in line with broader European trends.

“The marine industry often emerges from recessions later than other sectors. Now, however, it feels like we might even help pull the economy upward. That is a very positive – and perhaps pleasantly surprising – development,” Sepponen says.

Sepponen also highlighted a key technical shift: the 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 explains.

Strongest Sailing Yacht Market in 15 Years

The late-summer show is a popular venue for buyers of larger cruising yachts, as new orders placed in autumn are delivered for the following season. This year, nine large sailing yachts were exhibited in Helsinki, including models from Lagoon, Hanse, Dehler, X-Yachts, and Beneteau.

Samuli Leisti, importer of Danish X-Yachts, reports a particularly strong year. “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). Several deals are in progress, and one order has already been signed,” Leisti says.

Leisti also operates brokerage firm Blue Ocean, specialising in large yachts. He notes record-breaking demand in the used market: “Last year we sold 67 used boats in total. By August this year, we have already sold 80 – on pace with the boom years during the pandemic,” Leisti reports.

The brokerage is increasingly international. About one-third of Blue Ocean’s used boats are sold within Finland. “Boats in the 9m-11m range typically find Finnish buyers, but most larger yachts are sold abroad,” he explains.

This optimism is echoed by Antti Saarisalo, CEO of Ajola Yachts, who said visitors were pleased with the range of sailing yachts on display. “The pontoons were lively throughout, and the number of onboard visits over the weekend matched those of the much larger Helsinki International Boat Show in February,” Saarisalo noted.

Finland’s next major event, the Helsinki International Boat Show (Vene 26 Båt), is scheduled for 6-15 February 2026 at the Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.