‘People are ready to buy again’ – boatbuilders see signs of revival at spring boat shows
Despite a volatile economic climate and looming tariff concerns, many brands report from the early spring European shows that serious buyers are returning – particularly for well-designed, performance-focused vessels and turnkey ownership experiences.
A walk around the stands at the 2025 South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, which ran from 9 to 11 May at MDL’s Ocean Village Marina on the UK south coast, offered a snapshot of cautious optimism across the UK marine sector, with dealers and builders reporting steady interest, early-season sales and a growing appetite for sustainability and innovation.
Here, industry players discuss the state of the marine market in 2025 so far.
Approved Boats
“It was a strong show for us. We had over 30 new and used boats on display, enjoyed great weather and secured several sales during the event,” David O’Rourke, managing director of Approved Boats, tells MIN shortly after the end of the 2025 South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show (SC>BS). “Most importantly, we generated a number of high-quality leads, which we are actively following up on.”
O’Rourke says – overall – the market feels “stable” at this point in the year. “Enquiries are coming through consistently,” he says.
“We’re performing well in our segment, which focuses on motor yachts in the 30-ft to 60-ft range. Our core brands include Fairline Yachts, Absolute Yachts and Aquila Power Catamarans. In addition, we offer a selection of premium pre-owned boats that we upgrade and prepare to be turnkey-ready for the season.”
Tariffs are certainly a “hot topic”, O’Rourke (pictured left) says, although “their long-term impact on UK and European markets remains to be seen.” While products sourced from or sold into the US face direct implications, “trade between the UK and Europe remains strong, and current US tariffs don’t affect that,” he explains. “That said, we’re keeping a close eye on how global supply chains may shift.”
Approved Boats is seeing a “steady interest in high-quality, ready-to-go boats”, O’Rourke tells MIN, and the firm’s buyers are “increasingly looking for full-service, hassle-free ownership experiences.” He feels that trend “aligns perfectly with our turnkey approach, and we believe it’s where the market is heading.”
O’Rourke concludes: “We’re fortunate to work with exceptional brands and loyal, engaged customers. The positive response we receive reinforces that we’re offering the right products and services, which gives us real confidence for the year ahead.”
Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding
Dave Cockwell, founder of Cornish boatbuilder Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding, reports that the firm has had an “unusually strong” start to the year. Cockwells has already sold three boats and maintains a full order book, with semi-production boats sold out for 18 months and tenders booked two and a half years ahead. The builder, which recently had a visit from Princess Anne, introduced its new Hardy 45 European for the first time at the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show.
“The market feels pretty much the same as it always has done for Cockwells, our clientele is still here,” Cockwell tells MIN on the first day of the SC>BS. “We’ve sold three boats already this year, which is actually quite a lot for us, because normally our sales come in the latter part of the year. So it’s quite unusual to be selling early.
“We went to Düsseldorf for the first time [in January], and it was the first time Europe had seen our boat. And we got some genuine interest from there, and possibly may even be able to convert some of that. So, generally for us, I’d say [things are] good.
“Having said that, I know it’s not the same for everyone. And actually, for our smaller boats, it’s a bit quieter than normal, but our Duchy 35s and up – the bigger boats – they’re selling, no problem.
Cockwell says that – as the firm has only just started moving into the US market – he doesn’t feel the ongoing tariff concerns will have a major impact on Cockwells.
“We’ve sold superyacht tenders all over the world for years, and quite a lot in America,” he says. “We’ve now sold a couple of Duchys into the States. And obviously it makes it about 10 per cent more expensive, but, in the scheme of things, I’m not sure that it’s going to make a huge amount of difference.”
Cockwell reports that 2025 is set to be a “big show season for us”, with more shows than the builder has ever done before.
“There used to just be one Southampton show. Now there are three Southampton shows, along with Düsseldorf and Palma, and we also do Monaco, which this year clashes with Southampton, which is a real pain for us!” he says. “We’ve got a pretty full order book already, so all of our semi-production boats have sold out for 18 months and more.
“With tenders, we’re into two and a half years ahead on orders. So we’re just trying to build our staff, recruit more skills and grow the business and try and meet the demand that we’ve got.”
ePropulsion
Steve Bruce, global OEM sales director of ePropulsion and managing director of ePropulsion UK, says that this year’s season is off to a good start.
“We have exhibited at every single SC>BS since inception, and I believe this was the best one yet,” he says. “We had lots of enquiries from the attendees about the smaller outboard motors and lots of good conversations with some other exhibitors about our larger systems. I was encouraged to see some new exhibitors.”
Bruce feels the mood is positive for ePropulsion going into Q3/4. “Globally, we saw a 40 per cent increase in sales in 2024 with major growth in the US and Asia,” he says. “The UK softened a wee bit last year, but it is already looking up in 2025.”
While some countries saw a slight dip in leisure sales, Bruce confirms all countries saw a “significant increase” in commercial sales.
“In response, we have opened a new office in Spain to focus on commercial sales in larger shipping and we have been developing new products specifically aimed at the small work boat, fishing boat and hire boat markets,” he adds.
“On top of improved smaller outboard sales, we are seeing an increase in demand for larger eSSA inboard, outboard and pod systems ranging from 10-40kW,” Bruce continues. “Our new G102-230 23kWh batteries are now in full production.”
Like most of the other exhibitors MIN spoke with at SC>BS, tariffs are not proving an explicit concern. “We were getting worried about the US market; however, that now appears to have been resolved and had no real direct impact anywhere else,” he says.
The no-noise, no-smell and no-vibration benefits of electric propulsion are evidently translating into steady sales for the firm, through a blend of strategic expansion and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth.
“We installed over 100 of our 96V architecture systems on various types of boats, both leisure and commercial, from 4.6 to 35 metres in length in 2024,” Bruce tells MIN. “We have already installed more than 100 of our 96V systems in Q1 of 2025 on a variety of vessels, including RIBs, sailing catamarans, power catamarans, passenger ferries, river cruisers and small work boats.
“This is indeed a very exciting time to be in marine electrification, and I am very proud of the fact that ePropulsion are leading that charge.
Inspiration Marine
Phil Dollin, director of Inspiration Marine Group, reports coming away from this year’s SC>BS show “with a really positive feeling in terms of both the interest in the boats and also the impetus that seems to be out there to place an order too,” which “has been a bit lacking over the last 12 months.”
Inspiration Marine’s brokerage division encompasses 30-50ft sailing yachts, typically ranging from £100k to £500k. New boat sales are 30-60ft sailing yachts and generally range from £200k to £1m.
Inspiration Marine presented the Hanse 360 for its show debut at SC>BS, following its recognition as European Yacht of the Year 2025 in the family cruiser category.
Dollin says: “The general market feels like it’s coming back to life – brokerage has remained relatively strong throughout, where new boats have been slow. Generally, our customers are retired (or retiring) and therefore time is a more important factor than anything else in terms of making the purchase decision.”
As Inspiration Marine doesn’t do any US trade, Dollin reports that the ongoing US tariff tussles have not impacted the firm.
He concludes: “There’s a general positive feeling about people being ready to buy yachts again after a relatively quiet 12 months.”
SE Yachts
For SE Yachts, exclusive UK dealers for brands including Arcona Yachts and Delta Powerboats, confidence and curiosity are driving early-season momentum in the UK boating market, with discerning buyers reportedly seeking high-performance, future-focused designs.
Simon Rosier, director of SE Yachts, says strong engagement and interest in innovation and sustainability point to a values-driven shift in demand, particularly favouring premium European brands.
“Our focus [for SC>BS] this year was simple: connection,” says Rosier (pictured left). “We were excited to introduce the Delta 33 Coupé to the UK market for the first time, and she was extremely well received.
“We had strong interest across both brands, with a great mix of familiar faces and new enquiries.
“The atmosphere was incredibly positive, and it was clear that people are actively planning their next step on the water. For us, that’s a great sign of confidence and enthusiasm in the market.”
Rosier says that early-season events like SC>BS can be a good bellwether for the year to come. “The energy and level of interest we saw at the show gave us a lot of confidence, especially showcasing the Delta 33 Coupé début,” he says. “[Overall], we’re feeling optimistic. Buyers are becoming more considered in their choices, but the appetite is there. Especially for well-designed, performance-oriented and future-focused boats. Scandinavian design and engineering continue to resonate strongly, and that positions both Arcona and Delta beautifully for the UK market.”
Rosier adds that sales have started the year well, with “strong interest” in the Arcona 435 Mk II, and “growing momentum” for Delta’s 33 and 48 models. While the dealership is keeping a close eye on the evolving tariffs situation, Rosier says, “we’re fortunate to represent established European brands with excellent reputations and loyal followings,” adding: “We’re working hard to ensure our pricing remains competitive, and so far, the interest and commitment from clients has remained strong.”
Rosier feels that the overall market is becoming more values-driven. “Buyers want beautiful boats that deliver not just on looks, but also on performance, cruising capability and longevity,” he says. “That’s where Arcona and Delta really shine, and we’re excited to see more people recognising the long-term value of thoughtful design and innovation when making such a significant investment.”
One thing that doesn’t waver is the passion in the sailing and powerboating communities. “Whether people are looking to upgrade, go further offshore or embrace more sustainable boating, there’s a genuine sense of enthusiasm,” Rosier adds.
Sea Ventures (UK)
Despite a challenging economic backdrop, Sea Ventures remains positive about market resilience – particularly in the sailing segment – highlighting strong interest in models like the Excess 11 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410 at this year’s South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show.
Tim Harley, sales director at Sea Ventures, based on the UK south coast, tells MIN that May is an ideal time to showcase the firm’s models. “SC>BS tends to attract the more serious buyers and boat owners with some of the more prestigious brands – because of this, we were keen to attend. It is also a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with our highly valued client base. We had a steady footfall and a full diary of appointments throughout the show.
“Interestingly, the buyers tended to be more focused on sailboats than power,” Harley reports, “with the Excess 11 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410 seeing the majority of visitors.”
Harley adds that the growth of interest in sailing boats is helping to balance the prevailing uncertainty in the market.
“As everyone is aware, the market is tough and has been for some time. However, we are seeing peaks and troughs of positivity,” he says. “Right now, it’s great to see a growth in sailboats despite the high inflation and decline in consumer sentiment. Sailors are tough!”
He adds: “Despite the economic climate, we are definitely seeing some positivity within the market. The marine industry is resilient, cyclical and adaptable.”
So, what’s selling for Sea Ventures? The dealership is the sole UK dealer for Excess, the catamaran brand by Groupe Beneteau, and Harley says the brand is particularly flourishing in the market. “The new Excess 13 has arrived at a pinnacle point in the calendar and has filled a gap in the market,” he says.
Harley continues: “Jeanneau is a recognised and trusted name. Our 35-plus-year partnership with Jeanneau doesn’t go unnoticed with buyers, and many of our customers appreciate this longevity. We are seeing Sun Odysseys selling well, and the used boat market, both for sail and power, is buoyant – we are always busy with new brokerage listings.”
So far, Harley says that Sea Ventures hasn’t found tariffs to be proving a “specific obstacle” to sales; however, he acknowledges their spectre is having an unsettling effect. “Any kind of economic instability or uncertainty is detrimental and can consciously or subconsciously create doubt and a reluctance to commit to an expensive luxury purchase,” he says.
Vetus
Dutch equipment distributor Vetus reports a cautiously optimistic outlook for the marine market, with growing interest in sustainable, future-focused technologies driving engagement. Sander Gesink, marketing director at Vetus, tells MIN that strong interest in electric propulsion and related systems signals promising momentum for the year ahead.
“Our primary focus for [attending SC>BS] is always brand awareness and showcasing the growing strength of our electric propulsion systems,” says Gesink. “We see this show as an ideal platform to connect with forward-thinking boaters and industry professionals who are increasingly interested in sustainability in the marine environment.
“While the show wasn’t massively busy in terms of footfall, the quality of engagement was high; we had strong interest, as always, around our E-Line range. These conversations were meaningful and are likely to lead to some exciting new projects and potential customers. For us, that level of targeted interest is exactly what we hope to achieve at events like these.
Gesink says that, after a difficult period, the market feels “cautiously optimistic.”
“There’s a growing awareness and demand for sustainable, future-focused technologies, and that aligns well with what Vetus is offering, especially in electric propulsion,” he says. “We are seeing consistent engagement from both new and existing partners, who are planning ahead, and that steady interest gives us great confidence in the months ahead.
“We’re pleased to say that our products are selling well across the globe, with strong demand driven by our reputation. We continue to see strong demand for our bow thrusters, as boat owners increasingly prioritise ease and precision when manoeuvring or docking.
“Our Maxwell anchoring systems are [also] performing exceptionally well,” Gesink adds. “[For many], the reassurance of reliable anchoring equipment is essential. Ultimately, people want to enjoy their time on the water with confidence, knowing their systems work seamlessly and their boat is easy to control. This trend we see on a global level.”
While tariffs are the word on everyone’s lips, Gesink says they “haven’t had too disruptive an impact,” so far. “Vetus remains proactive in managing our supply chain and pricing to minimise disruption,” he explains.
Indeed, there’s plenty to feel optimistic about, Gesink says, particularly when it comes to the adoption of new, cleaner technology.
“We’re feeling very positive about the growing interest in sustainable marine technology and the direction the industry is heading. The response to our electric propulsion systems has been particularly encouraging, showing that the market is ready to embrace cleaner, quieter and more efficient solutions.”
