The rental market is maintained in the same figures last year (January to March) with 218 boats registered for charter, the most demands being small boats, up to 6 meters, with an 11% growth. By type of boat, folding and semi-rigid tyres experience the greatest growth in registration for rental use, with + 166.75% and + 77%, respectively... The charter market in this period is led by the Balearic Islands that represent 23.85%, followed by the Valencia Community (22%) and Catalonia (19.73%) (Photo Pedro Seoane)

The market for recreational craft remains positive, with an increase of 3.8% in the first quarter of 2018. As of March, 853 vessels have been registered compared to 822 in the same period in 2017. Of the total number of ships registered in these first three months, 218 are intended for nautical charter, being maintained in the same figures of 2017.The data collected in the Report of the market of recreational boats (energy-March 2018), edited by ANEN from the data provided by the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy.

By length, the segment up to 6 meters enrol 578 vessels compared to 558 vessels registered in the same period last year (+ 3.6%); between 6 and 8 meters in length, the enrolments experience the highest growth (+ 24.5%). These two segments represent 88.7% of the nautical market.

The length between 8 and 12 meters falls by -23% in this period with 14 less registered units. Also the larger ships from 12 meters have a decrease of enrollments, the segment between 12 and 16 meters is down by -16.3% and the ships from 16 meters fall by -17.6%.

By type of boat, water bikes experience the highest growth (18.1%), with 150 enrollments compared to 127 in the first quarter of 2017.

The motor ships, which account for 49.6% of the nautical market, have 423 enrolments, 6.3% more than in the same period last year. Folding pneumatic vessels remain the same as last year, with 84 registered units and semi-rigid pneumatic vessels fall by -6.4%.

The sailboats also lower their enrolment figure in this period (-11.1%), with 64 units compared to 72 in the first quarter of 2017.

Catalonia represents the largest share of the nautical market (18.86%), although it has a decrease in its enrolment, in the year, of -2.44%. It follows Andalusia with 17.82% market share and an increase in its enrolment of 2%. Thirdly, the Balearic Islands account for 15.71% of the market in the first quarter of the year and experience a decrease in their enrolments of -3.6%.