Sailboat Market

The global sailboat market is poised for growth driven by increasing demand for sailboats for pleasure or sports, with or without auxiliary motor worldwide. Despite a decrease in consumption in 2022, the market is expected to rebound with a forecasted CAGR of +0.6% from 2022 to 2030. Market volume is projected to reach 191K units by 2030, while market value is forecasted to increase to $20.7B by the end of the period. China and Italy are among the leading consumers and producers in the market, with countries like British Virgin Islands and Gibraltar taking the lead in imports and exports. Overall, the global sailboat market is expected to show growth in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for sailboats for pleasure or sports, with or without auxiliary motor worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 191K units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $20.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Sailboats For Pleasure Or Sports, With Or Without Auxiliary Motor

In 2022, consumption of sailboats for pleasure or sports, with or without auxiliary motor decreased by -3.3% to 182K units for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a temperate increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 267K units. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The global sailboat market revenue shrank markedly to $13.5B in 2022, declining by -27.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, enjoyed a tangible increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $35.7B. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the global market failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

China (28K units) constituted the country with the largest volume of sailboat consumption, accounting for 15% of total volume. Moreover, sailboat consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, British Virgin Islands (13K units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (13K units), with a 7.1% share.

In China, sailboat consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: British Virgin Islands (+4.5% per year) and the United States (+3.7% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($1.3B), Russia ($1.2B) and France ($1B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 26% of the global market.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Italy, with a CAGR of +28.2%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of sailboat per capita consumption was registered in British Virgin Islands (429 units per 1000 persons), followed by Cayman Islands (81 units per 1000 persons), the UK (0.1 units per 1000 persons) and Italy (0.1 units per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of sailboat was estimated at less than 0.1 units per 1000 persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the sailboat per capita consumption in British Virgin Islands amounted to +3.7%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Cayman Islands (+4.1% per year) and the UK (-10.7% per year).

Production

World Production of Sailboats For Pleasure Or Sports, With Or Without Auxiliary Motor

Global sailboat production rose to 156K units in 2022, picking up by 3.5% against 2021. In general, production posted a modest increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 122% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 246K units. From 2018 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sailboat production expanded markedly to $14.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of sailboat production was China (28K units), comprising approx. 18% of total volume. Moreover, sailboat production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (13K units), twofold. India (11K units) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China totaled +2.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+2.8% per year) and India (+1.3% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Sailboats For Pleasure Or Sports, With Or Without Auxiliary Motor

In 2022, approx. 27K units of sailboats for pleasure or sports, with or without auxiliary motor were imported worldwide; waning by -59.1% on 2021. In general, imports saw a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 59%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 67K units, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

In value terms, sailboat imports shrank notably to $424M in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 23% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $1.9B in 2021, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

Imports By Country

British Virgin Islands represented the key importer of sailboats for pleasure or sports, with or without auxiliary motor in the world, with the volume of imports amounting to 13K units, which was approx. 50% of total imports in 2022. Bahamas (2.3K units) took the second position in the ranking, followed by the United Arab Emirates (2K units), Gibraltar (1.6K units) and Marshall Islands (1.4K units). All these countries together took near 27% share of total imports. The following importers - Tanzania (550 units) and Papua New Guinea (430 units) - each resulted at a 3.6% share of total imports.

Imports into British Virgin Islands increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Tanzania (+38.0%), Papua New Guinea (+36.6%), Bahamas (+17.5%), the United Arab Emirates (+13.0%) and Gibraltar (+12.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +38.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Marshall Islands (-1.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. British Virgin Islands (+31 p.p.), Bahamas (+7.5 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+6.2 p.p.), Gibraltar (+4.9 p.p.), Tanzania (+2 p.p.), Marshall Islands (+1.7 p.p.) and Papua New Guinea (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, British Virgin Islands ($159M) constitutes the largest market for imported sailboats for pleasure or sports, with or without auxiliary motor worldwide, comprising 37% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Gibraltar ($69M), with a 16% share of global imports. It was followed by Marshall Islands, with a 3.1% share.

In British Virgin Islands, sailboat imports increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Gibraltar (+7.8% per year) and Marshall Islands (+14.3% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average sailboat import price amounted to $15,578 per unit, reducing by -45.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 23%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $41,310 per unit. From 2019 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Gibraltar ($41,958 per unit), while Tanzania ($1,715 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Marshall Islands (+16.1%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Sailboats For Pleasure Or Sports, With Or Without Auxiliary Motor

In 2022, approx. 1.3K units of sailboats for pleasure or sports, with or without auxiliary motor were exported worldwide; which is down by -95.7% on the previous year. In general, exports saw a sharp shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 32K units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sailboat exports reduced sharply to $148M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a sharp downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 15%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $2.4B in 2021, and then shrank notably in the following year.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from British Virgin Islands (176 units), Tunisia (167 units), Bahamas (154 units) and the United Arab Emirates (143 units), together accounting for 51% of total export. Norway (75 units) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Seychelles (66 units), Vietnam (66 units) and Marshall Islands (61 units). All these countries together held approx. 21% share of total exports. Oman (44 units), Japan (33 units), Indonesia (23 units), Singapore (21 units) and Argentina (20 units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Tunisia (with a CAGR of +18.3%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Tunisia ($41M), British Virgin Islands ($38M) and Seychelles ($13M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 62% share of global exports.

Seychelles, with a CAGR of +38.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average sailboat export price amounted to $116,731 per unit, rising by 45% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate resilient growth. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($245,669 per unit), while Japan ($4,816 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Seychelles (+17.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform