According to ANEN, data from the first half of the sports craft sector are hopeful.

The market for recreational craft in the first half of this year remains very similar to those reached in the same period of 2015, reflecting some stagnation in the registration of new vessels, which have experienced a growth of 3.7%. Between January and June 2016, 2,742 recreational boats were registered in Spain compared to 2,644 in the first half of 2015. In June in particular, 835 new vessels have been registered, 3.34% more than in June 2015 (808). The rent also slows its growth in this period and although it grows by 11.47%, it is far from the figure reached in the first half of 2015 (55.6%). These are the data from the Recreation Market Report (January-June) 2016, edited by ANEN with the analysis of the data provided by the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy.

National data

In terms of length, the segment between 12 and 16 meters is the one that has grown most in this period, by 20.6% (82 enrolments compared to 68 recorded between January and June 2015). Also in positive terms, the boats up to 8 meters have 4.8% more registration and remain the most demanded segment, with a market share of 90%, enrolling 2,474 vessels over the 2,361 in the same half of 2015.

However, the length between 8 and 12 meters (-12.6%) that register 166 units compared to 190 last year fall. Also in decline, the ships are located more than 16 meters (-20%) with 20 new records compared to the 25 achieved in the first half of 2015. By type of boat, water bikes grow by 11.4% (626 enrolments compared to 532 registered between January and June 2015). Also in positive, it is located the motor ships that grow by 10.1%, enrolling 1,251 units compared to the 1,136 registered last year.

The candle remains positive, following the trend of the year, with a growth of 9.3% (188 enrollments of new ships over 172 registered in the first half of 2015). Folding pneumatic vessels continue to lose enrollments this year, until June they fall by -22.7% (249 enrollments compared to 322 in the same period last year). To a lesser extent, the enrolment of semi-rigid tyres (-5.3%) also falls, enrolling 428 vessels compared to 452 vessels reached between January and June last year.

The rental market continues to grow (11.47%) but is far from the figures recorded in previous years that were around 55%. In the first half of 2016, 797 recreational boats have been registered in Spain for rental use, out of the 715 units registered in the same period of 2015. The boats up to 8 meters, with an increase of 14.5% for rent and the motor ships that have an increase of 17.4%, are the ones that behave best in the charter sector in this semester.

Baleares, Barcelona and Alicante lead the market for recreational boats

The Balearic Islands, first of all, is growing by 9.67% in enrolment (465 compared to 424 in the same period of 2015) and represents 16.96% of the national nautical market. Barcelona, then, by market share (13.35%) increases its enrolment by 23.65% (366 out of 296 registered between January and June 2015). Third, by market share, it is found that Alicante, following the trend of the year, is growing by 19.75% in enrolment (194 compared to 162 between January and June 2015).