Finland’s boating industry is showing signs of recovery following the post-pandemic downturn. Registrations have risen, with nearly 3,000 more boats recorded in the past year, while the used boat market has grown by 11 per cent compared with 2024.
As of July 2025, the national watercraft register listed 246,000 boats, including 214,000 motorboats. This represents an increase of 2,928 vessels between July 2024 and 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 the first registration statistics,” explains Jarkko Pajusalo, CEO of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat.
The growth is largely in outboard-powered boats, which rose by more than 2,200. The register, maintained by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, covers boats at least 5.5 metres in length or with engine power of 15 kW (around 20 hp) or more, as well as personal watercraft.
First registrations and the total fleet show contrasting trends. First registrations of motorboats fell by 17 per cent, yet the total number of motorboats in the register increased by the same proportion.
“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.
The Helsinki In-Water Boat Show Uiva Flytande, held in Lauttasaari, Helsinki, attracted nearly 11,000 visitors.
“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 says that the Finnish boating market is beginning to recover in line with 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 points to the shift towards outboard engines in 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 behaviour,” he explains.
At Uiva Flytande, EfxSails’s Matti Luhtala presented the company’s sailmaking services alongside a line of bags made from recycled sails, created with Islander Company. Luhtala says the show offered opportunities to meet customers, discuss their needs and present 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.
The show also highlighted strong interest in larger cruising yachts. Nine were exhibited, including models from Lagoon, Hanse, Dehler, X-Yachts and Beneteau.
Samuli Leisti, importer of Danish X-Yachts, reports that 2025 is shaping up to be the strongest year in 15 years for his company, Ajola Yachts and Hansail. “Several deals are in progress, and one order has already been signed,” Leisti says. His brokerage firm, Blue Ocean, has sold 80 used boats by August, surpassing last year’s total of 67. About one-third of these are sold within Finland, with the remainder largely exported.
This view is shared by Antti Saarisalo, CEO of Ajola Yachts, who notes strong visitor interest in sailing yachts. “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 says. Among Ajola’s brands, three new Beneteau yachts were registered this year.
Simon Lindkvist, CEO of Linex-Boat, builder of Nord Star yachts, highlights the show’s timing. “Making a purchase decision now means the boat will be ready for next summer,” he says. The Nord Star 42+ drew visitors from Estonia, which Lindkvist describes as encouraging.
Quarken Boats, also based in Kokkola, reported a positive 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.
The next Helsinki In-Water Boat Show Uiva Flytande will be held on 13–16 August 2026 in Lauttasaari. The Helsinki International Boat Show – Vene 26 Båt – is scheduled for 6–15 February 2026 at Messukeskus, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
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