The rate of decline in pleasure boat registrations in Spain for this year appears to have slowed with -15% fewer registrations between January and August, compared to a -28.7% fall registered in the first quarter. From January to August 2020, 4,463 pleasure boats have been registered in Spain compared to 5,232 registered in the same period last year.

Boat rental also improved with a 5.74% growth in registrations of boats for rental use in August. Registrations in the rental market fell by -28%, compared to the same period of 2019, as a consequence of the stoppage suffered at the beginning of the season and the beginning of the “new normal”.

“We observed a moderate growth in registrations during this month of August that has allowed us to lessen the drop in the number of registrations in the first half of the year, following the effect of the stoppage of activity caused by the COVID19 pandemic. We are facing a difficult season for the nautical market that has suffered the effects of the pandemic in full season. However, the response from national nautical tourism since last June has been very good and this has allowed registrations in June (+6.35%), July (+16.87%) and August (+6.7%) to grow ”, said Carlos Sanlorenzo, general secretary of ANEN. “Spanish society has seen sailing as a safe option to enjoy the holidays this year, many of these people have discovered for the first time the experience of sailing and we are delighted to welcome them and that they stay with us, enjoying the sea and all its benefits. As in any crisis, opportunities arise and for us expanding our customer niches is one of them. In this sense we are satisfied ”, he continued.

The Report on the recreational craft market for the period January-August 2020, is edited by ANEN from the data provided by the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine.

All lengths show decreases in registrations for the first half of the year. Boats from 12m are those that show the greatest drop in registrations in the period January-August, with a decrease of -33% for lengths between 12 and 16 meters and -24% for those over 16 meters.