French Boating Industry Navigates Shifting Tides: Key Insights from the FIN Conference
The French nautical industry is experiencing a period of both challenges and opportunities, according to the latest insights shared at the FIN (Fédération des Industries Nautiques) conference. While new boat sales have seen a decline, the overall health of the boating sector remains robust, fueled by strong demand for rentals and a growing interest in watersports.
Contrasting Sales Figures, Solid Practice
The FIN revealed that new boat sales have decreased by 14.8%, with smaller vessels (under 9 meters) experiencing the most significant drop. However, the used boat market is holding steady, with only a 3% decrease in sales compared to the previous season. Overall, the market has remained stable since 2012.
The summer of 2025 confirmed the vitality of boating in France. Maritime rentals benefited from favorable weather, and river rentals also saw a slight increase. Wing foiling continues to attract new enthusiasts, sailing schools are reporting high occupancy rates, and there is a growing number of women in instructor positions. Port traffic is up, as are the number of stopovers and fuel consumption.
“While the industry is facing economic and geopolitical uncertainties, the practice of boating remains dynamic and a key part of leisure activities in France,” stated Jean-Paul Chapeleau, president of the FIN.
Paris Nautic Show 2025: A New Showcase for Boating
A central focus of the conference was the upcoming Paris Nautic Show 2025, the first edition of an event organized by M2O, the FIN’s event subsidiary. With 75% of the exhibition space already booked, the show is poised to be a success.
The show will be spread across two halls and seven themed areas, offering a comprehensive and innovative experience:
- A river village bringing together the four major players in inland navigation in France.
- The first-ever presentation at Le Bourget of full-size Excess and Lagoon catamarans.
- A high-end AMEL 60 sailboat will complete this exceptional showcase.
The show will also highlight offshore racing, with live broadcasts from the sea, presentations of major competitions, a unique exhibition of models of winning boats from all Vendée Globe races, and immersive films.
Understanding New Trends
The conference also presented initial findings from a survey conducted with IFOP. Boating remains popular, with 16 million participants, including 4 million regular boaters (a third of whom reside in the Île-de-France region). The key challenge now is to engage the 12 million occasional boaters, primarily urban residents under 50, and encourage them to participate more regularly. Rental options, shared usage models, and more responsible boating practices are among the key expectations of the younger generations. The full study will be released at the show, furthering the discussion on a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable boating industry.
A Busy 2025/2026 Calendar for the Industry
The Paris Nautic Show will be part of a packed 2025/2026 calendar: Cannes Yachting Festival (September 9-14), Grand Pavois (September 23-28), Occasions du Multicoque et du Refit (October 16-19), Assises de l’Économie de la Mer (November 4-5), Metstrade (November 18-20), and in 2026 the International Multihull Show (April 22-26).
With this new Parisian event, the FIN aims to strengthen France’s central role in the global boating industry. The Paris Nautic Show is expected to be a major highlight, serving as both a showcase for the diversity of boating and a laboratory for the new trends shaping the future of the sector.
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