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A more contained decline than last year
According to the latest report on the Spanish pleasure boat market (January-September 2025) published by the ANEN association, based on data from the Directorate General of the Merchant Navy, 4,339 units were registered between January and September, compared with 4,516 over the same period in 2024.
This 3.9% decline contrasts with the 5.3% drop observed at the end of August, reflecting a slight slowdown in the negative trend. For industry players, this moderate downturn confirms that the Spanish market is entering a phase of stabilization after the sharp downturn of 2023 and the first half of 2024.
Small units still in the majority
Boats under six meters remain the backbone of the Spanish market, with 3,023 registrations, or nearly 70% of the total. However, their volume fell by 4.1% year-on-year.
The intermediate segments also recorded a slight decline:
- 6 to 8 metres: -3
- 8 to 12 metres: -4.6
- 12 to 16 metres: -2.4
Units over 16 meters recorded the sharpest contraction at -6.4%, a figure attributed to the slowdown in deliveries in the high-end segment and higher operating costs.
Motorboats remain dominant
The Spanish market remains predominantly motorized. Motorboats account for 41.1% of registrations, with 1,783 units recorded over the period, down 5.4%.
Jet-skis saw a more marked downturn (-12.2%, or 1,305 registrations), while RIBs lost 8.7%.
The only segment to show clear growth: lightweight folding tenders and inflatables, up a spectacular 44.7% (521 units). This growth reflects growing interest in low-cost, easy-to-store boats, suitable for seasonal or rental use.
A rental market in sharp decline
The charter and rental sector posted a sharp contraction, with 1,332 registrations, down 19.4% on the 1,653 units recorded in 2024. The decline is concentrated on small units up to six meters (-23.2%) and RIBs (-26.3%), historically dominant segments in Mediterranean charter bases.
Charter yachts also recorded a significant decline (-15.2%), a direct consequence of the fleet reduction observed in the Balearic Islands.
Regional disparities
Geographically, the market remains concentrated in the Balearic Islands and Catalonia:
- The Balearics remain in first place with 589 registrations, but record a significant decline of 19.9%.
- Barcelona remained stable at 527 registrations (+0.2%).
On the other hand, several provinces are experiencing strong growth: Murcia (+81.4%), Pontevedra (+43.7%), Cadiz (+26.5%) and Alicante (+17.1%), reflecting a partial relocation of sales to secondary coastal areas where residential demand is growing.
A market in search of balance
Despite a still negative trend, the deceleration of the decline points to a stabilization of the Spanish boating market. Demand remains strong for compact, accessible and easy-to-maintain units, while larger boats are suffering from rising ownership and maintenance costs.
For professionals, 2025 could mark the end of the correction cycle that began after the strong post-Covid growth. The rebound will depend on the evolution of credit, nautical tourism and the ability of the rental sector to reorganize itself.
