Finnish Boating Industry Emerging from Downturn

As of July 2025, Finland’s national watercraft register listed 246,000 boats, of which 214,000 were 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,” explains Jarkko Pajusalo, CEO of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat.

The growth has mainly come from outboard-powered boats, long favored by Finnish boaters. Their number in the register rose by more than 2,200. The register, maintained by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, includes all boats at least 5.5 meters in length or with an engine power of at least 15 kW (about 20 hp), as well as personal watercraft.

The contrast between first registrations and the total fleet is notable: motorboat first registrations fell by 17%, yet the total number of motorboats in the register rose 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. 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,” Pajusalo adds.

Optimistic Mood at Helsinki Boat-Afloat Show

Visitor numbers at Helsinki Boat-Afloat Show Uiva Flytande, held last weekend in Lauttasaari, Helsinki, also grew slightly. Nearly 11,000 visitors attended Finland’s leading late-summer boating event.

“After the event, there’s definitely a cautiously positive mood among consumers,” says Mika Vanhala, CEO of Oy Esco Ab, a boating equipment retailer.

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.

At the Uiva Flytande, EfxSails’s Matti Luhtala presented both the company’s sailmaking services and a collection of bags made from recycled sails, designed in collaboration with Islander Company. For Efx, the August show was a positive experience, with Luhtala confirming that the company’s goals for the event were achieved.

According to Luhtala, the boat show offers an excellent opportunity for a sailmaker to meet customers, discuss their needs, and present available services.

“Sailmaking is a design profession, and part of the designer’s role is to understand the sailor’s true needs. When a sail is finally completed, it is often the result of close collaboration between the sailmaker and the sailor. At Uiva, I believe we succeeded in creating that dialogue with our customers,” Luhtala 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, specializing 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 9–11 meter 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.

Among Ajola’s brands, three new Beneteau yachts were registered in Finland this year: two Oceanis 40.1 cruising yachts and one sporty cruiser-racer Beneteau First 44.

According to Simon Lindkvist, CEO of Linex-Boat, builder of Nord Star yachts in Kokkola, on Finland’s west coast, the timing of Uiva is ideal for buyers. “Making a purchase decision now means the boat will be ready for next summer,” Lindkvist says.

The Nord Star 42+, showcased at Uiva, also drew international attention. “This year we saw a significantly larger group of visitors arriving from Estonia, across the Gulf of Finland, which was very encouraging,” Lindkvist adds.

Outboard boats remain the most popular category in Finland. Quarken Boats, also based in Kokkola, reported a successful year. “We’ve opened new export markets, and Uiva strengthened our outlook for Finland as well. We closed deals, arranged many sea trials, and issued numerous offers,” says CEO Antero Sundberg.

Looking Ahead

• The next Helsinki In-Water Boat Show Uiva Flytande will be held on 13–16 August 2026 in Lauttasaari, Helsinki.
• The next major event for the industry is the Helsinki International Boat Show – Vene 26 Båt, taking place on 6–15 February 2026 at Messukeskus, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.