Finnboat reports on 2025 as industry ‘turns corner’
Image courtesy of Jussi Evinsalo
Consumer caution and the slower-than-anticipated economic recovery continued to weigh on the Finnish boating industry’s 2025 sales, according to the national industry and trade association for the boating industry in Finland, Finnboat. However, an expanding registered fleet, robust activity in the used boat market and improved wholesale delivery figures suggest conditions are beginning to stabilise with a gradual return to confidence.
The sector’s business cycle barometer also points to cautious optimism for 2026.
Registrations fall but fleet edges higher
New boat registrations in Finland declined sharply in 2025, yet the overall register expanded by nearly 3,000 units as older inventory was cleared.
In 2025, registrations of new boats fell by 23 per cent compared with the previous year. Nevertheless, the Finnish boat register grew as older stock from previous model years was cleared: by year-end, the register contained almost 3,000 more watercrafts than a year earlier.
Even so, the overall increase in the number of registered watercrafts remained modest at just just over one percent. Continued brisk trading in used boats – up by as much as 12 per cent – also demonstrates the enduring popularity of boating.
According to the latest report from Finnboat, its member companies’ reported wholesale delivery statistics for small boats and outboard-powered boats were up during the first three quarters of 2025 in both domestic deliveries and exports.
Wholesale deliveries of outboard engines totalled 6,819 units, representing growth of around 14 per cent.
The Finnish boat register includes all boats longer than 5.5 metres or fitted with an engine of more than 15kW (20hp).
Jarkko Pajusalo, CEO of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat, says: “2025 was still challenging for the boating sector, but the statistics show a cautious shift in a better direction. A survey conducted among Finnboat members also forecasts slightly improved conditions. Despite turbulence in global politics, activity in several key export markets has been on the rise, and as inventories have been cleared, the situation for manufacturers has also improved somewhat.”
Helsinki International Boat Show boosts confidence
Finnish boaters have kicked off the 2026 season at Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 26 Båt. The show presented a wide range of products for boating, fishing and watersports with 400 boats on display and record attendance numbers. It was held from 6 to 15 February 2026 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
According to Pajusalo, the Helsinki Boat Show is an extremely important sales and marketing event for the industry and marks the opening of the sales season. The event’s growing international profile has been reflected at this year’s show.
“Helsinki International Boat Show is an impressive event that receives high praise also from international visitors. Many are genuinely surprised by the extensive and diverse range on display. Vene 26 Båt is Europe’s second largest indoor boat show, directly after boot Düsseldorf. In fact, many of the boats travel straight from Düsseldorf to Helsinki for the show. It is easy to feel proud of the Finnish boating industry, which despite the challenging economic situation demonstrates confidence in the future and wants to present its new products broadly at the show. Although the Finnish boat industry forms the backbone of the exhibition, it is the international boat and marine equipment manufacturers that give the event a distinctly international character,” says Pajusalo.
Nord Star took part in the show with two large cruisers, one of which was a 49ft luxury yacht. The Nord Star boats are built in Kokkola. The boatyard’s CEO, Simon Lindkvist, says: “We made important contacts that will be followed up after the show and developed into business. The boats attracted great interest among visitors, and thousands of people stepped on board. We had some international visitors, mainly from Estonia. Many asked questions and were surprised to learn that the boats are built in Finland. Around 10 per cent of annual production is sold on the Finnish market, with the remainder exported.”
Some 87 per cent of new motorboats sold in Finland max seven metres in length. Last year, 1,387 new motorboats up to seven metres were registered, compared with 48 boats over ten metres and 18 boats over 12 metres. According to Pajusalo, consumer caution and weak purchasing power have been particularly visible in sales of this most popular segment – smaller outboard-powered motorboats – but the recovery of purchasing power has already begun to improve the situation.
“Boating holds a strong place in enthusiasts’ hearts, but in tight times it is also among the first areas where people cut spending. The pace at which demand for boats – like all durable consumer goods –returns will now depend on consumers’ confidence in the global political situation and in their own finances. Purchasing power in Finland and neighbouring markets has improved for a second year in a row, but the recovery in confidence has been slower than expected, especially in Finland,” Pajusalo says.
The boating industry employs around 3,500 people in Finland, and the combined turnover of Finnboat member companies was, according to a preliminary estimate, approximately €800 million, in line with recent years.
Registered watercraft fleet grows as old stock clears
In 2025, 2,021 new watercrafts of various types were registered (2,631 in 2024), a 23 per cent decline compared with the previous year.
1,594 motorboats were registered (1,895 in 2024), 26 rigid inflatable boats (31 in 2024), and 353 personal watercrafts (jet skis) were registered (653 in 2024). First-time registrations of new boats included boats manufactured in the current year and the two preceding years.
Despite this, the registered fleet grew in 2025 by a total of 2,927 units. The difference compared with first registrations was driven by the clearance of older inventory, especially in motorboats and personal watercraft.
For motorboats, the gap was as much as 730 units, and for personal watercraft the gap was 195 units.
Domestic brands lead registrations
The top ten list for first registrations of motorboats was dominated by domestic brands. Buster remained number one (333 registered boats). Silver rose to second place (170), Suvi was third (153), and Faster fourth (143).
Near the top of the overall first-registration rankings for all watercraft types was also the personal watercraft brand Sea-Doo (279 units).
A total of 17 new sailboats were registered – the same figures as the two previous years. The most popular brands were France’s Beneteau (4) and Germany’s Hanse (4). Single units were also registered from Dehler, Excess, Lagoon, Neo Yachts, and X-Yachts.
In addition to factory built sail boats, four self-built boats were registered.
At the same time, trading in used boats continued at a clearly higher level than before the pandemic. According to the boat register maintained by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, a total of 26,323 ownership transfers were recorded, corresponding to 12% growth in second-hand sales. Boats changed owners as much as 20 per cent more actively than in the pre-pandemic peak year 2019.
“Boats are among the world’s longest-lasting durable consumer goods, which means they often change owners several times during their lifetime. A long-lasting product is also ecological—especially if it is upgraded with modern technology that places less burden on the environment,” Pajusalo notes.
