The 2008 downturn in Spain continues through to 2011

According to the 2011 year-end boat registration report published by ANEN, the downturn on the Spanish market that started in the spring of 2008, further deteriorated in 2011.

The total number of boats registered under the Spanish flag last year fell by 13.9 per cent to just 6,029 units compared to the previous year. During the last quarter registrations plummeted by more than 41 per cent.

Motorboats continue to dominate the Spanish boating market, and the 3,190 units registered are on a par with 2010. RIBs have suffered the hardest hit with a drop of over 32 per cent, followed by inflatables (30 per cent), sailboats (29 per cent) and personal watercraft (26 per cent).

The only length segments that have shown some growth are those between 15m and 18m (49ft and 59ft) with a registration increase of 2.3 per cent and a more significant 28 per cent experienced by the 18m plus segment. This can be regarded as a trend reversal that replaces the prevalence of boats under 8m (26m) shown by the Spanish market since the beginning of the downturn.

The charter fleet of new vessels began the year with significant growth that peaked by year-half to start a steep dive of up to 63 per cent over the last quarter. However, in balance it has grown by just over nine per cent. Out of the 241 units registered 14 per cent were sailboats, 13 per cent motorboats and 72 per cent personal watercraft.

By geographic area it is worth noticing the general drop in all major boating markets. For instance Valencia fell by 27 per cent, Barcelona by 26 per cent and Tenerife by 20 per cent. However Alicante and Málaga have seen registrations grow by 18 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.

Source IBI news