The boat rental market - France (2024)

1.2 Yacht charter, a growing global market

Below is an analysis of the global yacht charter market, showing that yacht charter worldwide is growing steadily at a CAGR of *%.

Sales in the global yacht charter market World, ****-****, in billions of dollars CAGR: +* Source: ****

Similarly, we can see below the different geographical areas most involved in this market.

We'll now look at the main exporters and importers of pleasure boats, the boats most often used for charter. To do this, we look for trade in value between countries using UN Comtrade, with code HS ****** - Sailboat; with or without auxiliary motor, for pleasure or sport

The main countries importing pleasure boats are the USA, China andGermany.

Pleasure boat imports World, ****, In Millions of $ Source: ****

the world's leading exporters are France, Italy and the United States. For the same year, the main importers are the United States, China and Germany, as shown in the graph below:

Pleasure boat exports World, ****, In Millions of $ Source: ****

1.3 France, a major global player

Today, France is a world leader in the pleasure boat market , thanks to the expertise of its companies and the number of shipyards in the country.

Indeed, France boasts emblematic brands that excel in the production of sailboats, catamarans and yachts such as Beneteau, Jeanneau and Lagoon.

Since ****, the number ofnew pleasure boat registrations in France has remained fairly stable , with **,*** in **** .

New pleasure boat registrations in France France, ****-****, in number of units Source: ****

What's more, following the drop in activity generated by Covid, we're seeing a revival in activity, with nearly **.*% growth in the French pleasure boat building sector in ****.

Pleasure boat building in France France, ****-****, in Source: ****

The value of the pleasure-boat production market falls in **** following the Covid, then rises again from ****.

Recreational boat production market value France, ****-****, In billions of € Source: ****

The chart below shows the breakdown of sales in the pleasure boating sector, with boat building and imports accounting for nearly **%.

Breakdown of yachting sales France, ****, in % of sales Source: ****

Let's now look at the specialized yacht charter segment.

Below, we can observe the evolution of boat rental sales.

Boat rental market sales France, ****-****, in millions of euros Source: ****

In addition, below, ...

2.1 Strong demand for water sports activities

There are almost * million regular boaters and nearly ** million water sports enthusiasts.

Since the Covid, boat rentals and sales have been on the rise, attracting more and more consumers.

There are several ways to enjoy pleasure boating: owning one or renting one.

According to an OpinionWay survey, nearly **% of French people plan to rent a boat in ****.

Percentage of French people planning to go boating, by occasion France, ****, in % Source: ****

given that there are more people with a license than there are boat owners, the boom in boat rental or sharing services is on the rise.

The evolution of boating licenses

evolution of the distribution of boating licenses **** - **** France, ****-****, in number of boating licenses Source: ****

The number of boating licenses issued in France remains stable and rather high, with just under **,**** licenses issued in France in ****.

There are several types of boating license. The most widespread is thecoastal option. This license allows you to sail at sea, along the coast, up to * nautical miles. It is valid for navigation at sea, on lakes and enclosed waters.

The"inland waterways option" license is for navigation on rivers, canals and lakes.

Breakdown by type of license France, ****, in number of licenses Source: ...

2.2 Persona of the charterer

Now let's take a look at the persona of French boat renters.

According to the data, the proportion of French people who have already rented a boat represents around **% of the population. This figure demonstrates a growing interest in pleasure boating, as discussed in the paragraph below.

Distribution of French people who have already rented a boat France, ****, in Source: ****

What's more, there's a gendered trend in boat rental. Almost **% of boat renters are men.

Gender breakdown of boat renters France, ****, in Source: ****

Furthermore, according to the same study, the average age of a boat renter is **. Finally, the average number of passengers per rental is *.*.

Nationality of renters in France for a brand like Sam Boat :

French Germans Belgians British Americans

Rental, a well-established solution for the French

Nautical activities are characterized by a low rate of owner-operators. In fact, only **% of French people plan their boating activities on their own boat. Rental is therefore an important alternative, with over **% of French people choosing this solution for their boating activities. The demand is therefore not for buying, but for renting or sharing with a close boat owner. This practice is already well established in the French mindset.

Percentage of French ...

2.3 Consumption habits of yacht charterers

Temporality

Yacht charter is a highly seasonal business, with a marked peak in the summer months, particularly from June to September, when weather conditions are ideal for sailing and vacationing. This seasonality is influenced by school vacations and vacation periods, which encourage families, groups of friends and couples to enjoy outdoor leisure activities.

Location

According to this study, boat rentals are fairly evenly distributed between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts.

Distribution of boat rentals in mainland France France, ****, in Source: ****

As far as foreign locations are concerned, there will be a decline in bookings in Croatia in ****, while Greece and Italy will regain ground.

Top and bottom cruise destinations for summer **** France, ****, in Source: ****

Types of charter

The vast majority of rental boats are still motorboats, which are easier to maneuver and less subject to weather and wind conditions.

Types of boats rented France, ****, as % of total Source: ****

Below, by boat category, are those most frequently rented by season.

What's more, catamarans are becoming more popular than sailboats, as the graph below shows.

Catamarans are synonymous with comfort and stability. They offer more space and a smoother ride at sea than traditional sailboats. Their safety and maneuverability reassure families and beginners, ...

3.1 Boat rental value chain and typology

Boat rental

There are three main types of boat rental in France:

Bareboat charter: some companies offer bareboat charter for periods ranging from one day to several weeks... Skippered or crewed charters: for inexperienced yachtsmen, some charter companies offer boat charters with professional crews... Long-term charter: offered by charter companies associated with banks...

The development of digital platforms that put private individuals in contact with each other has considerably transformed the habits of boaters and enabled them to broaden their practices [***]

As a result, new types of use have developed:

Co-navigation or shared navigation: shared navigation enables private individuals to share a sea outing with the owner of a boat Boat rental between private owners: boat rental between private owners enables non-owner yachtsmen to rent a boat, by the day or for a longer period, from an owner yachtsman. If the owner authorizes it, it is sometimes possible to benefit from the services of a professional skipper on board. Dockside yacht charters: dockside yacht charters give private individuals access to floating accommodation for a few nights. Depending on the offer, it is possible to rent an entire unit or just one cabin. Shared boats: this involves sharing the use of a ...

3.2 Different boat rental business models

let's take a look at the boat rental sector in terms of the number of employees and the number of companies:

Here is the list of activities covered by APE code ****Z - Rental and leasing of leisure and sporting goods:

rental of pleasure boats, canoes and sailboats rental of bicycles rental of deckchairs and beach umbrellas rental of other sports equipment ski rentals

As can be seen below, the number of businesses in the boat rental sector has risen slightly in recent years.

number of businesses in the boat rental sector France, ****-****, in numbers Source: ****

Similarly, the number of employees in the boat rental sector has also risen.

Number of companies in the boat rental sector France, ****-****, in numbers Source: ****

3.3 A geographically concentrated market

Leading companies: a concentrated market

According to a report by Ecorys, the Mediterranean region accounts for **% of the global yacht charter market.

Almost **% of sales in Europe are generated by a handful of "giants" such as Sunsail, Le Boat and Footloose (***), as well as Dream Yacht Charter and Kiriakoulis. The rest of the business is run by a large number of small companies offering their services on a very limited scale.

For start-up Nautal, the market is dominated (***) of companies have annual sales of less than * million euros; only *% of companies in the sector have annual sales of over *** million euros. This fragmentation of the market is explained by the widespread distribution of rental activities along Europe's coasts. [***]

Distribution of annual sales by boat rental companies Europe, ****, in Source: ****

Furthermore, the majority of yacht charter companies operating in the European Union (***). [***]

New boat rental applications

The yacht charter sector is undergoing a digital transformation, marked by the emergence of dedicated mobile applications. These facilitate the booking and rental of boats for an increasingly diverse clientele in search of unique experiences.

With the rise of the sharing economy in ****, a number of companies have taken on the role of online intermediaries for ...

4.1 Boat types

Categories of pleasure boats

Source: ****

Let's take a closer look at each type of boat:

Catamarans: Sailboats with two hulls and one to three sails. Dinghies: Sailboats fitted with a centerboard (***). Keelboats: Sailboats fitted with a ballasted, immovable keel. Sailing yachts: propelled by the wind, but fitted with engines as an auxiliary means of propulsion. Motor yachts: diesel, hybrid or electric engines. Combination yachts: equipped with both motors and sails. Inflatable boats: folding, inflatable boats. Outboards: small rigid-hulled or inflatable boats equipped with propulsion but with the engine block not submerged. Leisure boats: canoes, kayaks, oars, canoes....

In addition, according to thePlaisance écologiquethere are * main categories of pleasure craft, into which they are classified as soon as they are designed. Division ***, entitled"Pleasure craft of hull length less than ** meters, for personal use and training", has been reworked many times, and the current segmentation of pleasure craft is as follows:

Source: ****

The public service website defines three types of pleasure craft, according to length and engine power. The categories are as follows:

Length < *m and power < ** HP Length > *m and power > ** CV Length > *m and no engine

On the used boat sales siteBateau**.coma segmentation is made according to whether the ...

4.2 Pricing the boat offer

The price of a boat rental depends on a multitude of factors: the type of boat, the time of year, the location and the number of days spent on board. Below, we try to give you a better idea of what boats are available and how much they cost.

Below, we can evaluate boat pricing by type:

Below are prices by destination and season for a one-week cabin cruise.

Similarly, the age of a boat can affect its price: a more recent boat is more expensive than one with several years' sailing under its belt. An "old boat" is one that has passed the *-year mark, at which time it begins to show the first signs of rust and mildew. Newer boats are therefore more expensive than older boats. The most recent boats, less than * years old, are **% to **% more expensive, according to the Fédération des Industries Nautiques.

4.3. Offer typology

There are several different trends in boat rentals:

Solar boats

Solar-powered boat rentals are gaining in popularity, offering a quiet, environmentally-friendly alternative to motorboats. These boats, often unlicensed, use photovoltaic panels for clean electric propulsion, ideal for noise-free, pollution-free cruising. The Côte d'Azur is a prime location for this activity, with options for clubs and on-demand rentals. This trend is emerging as an ideal nautical initiation for new boaters wishing to sail more sustainably. [***]

Cabin rental

Cabin charter is a cruising offer that lets you rent an individual cabin on a large catamaran or sailboat, rather than the whole boat. It's an ideal option for travelers looking for a shared sailing experience, in small groups, with a professional crew taking care of maneuvering, navigation and frequently cooking. It offers an economical alternative for exploring maritime destinations while enjoying the comfort of a crewed boat, in a friendly, semi-private atmosphere.

Flotillas

The flotilla is a sailing formula where several boats travel together, guided by an experienced flotilla leader. This concept is ideal for groups of friends, families or yachtsmen who want to discover new destinations while benefiting from professional guidance and a friendly atmosphere. Each boat can be run by its ...

5.1 Boats for rent

Rental conditions

The Service Public.fr website offers a list of formalities to be observed to guard against unforeseen circumstances and unpleasant surprises. Although it is not compulsory, it is recommended that a rental contract be drawn up between the owner and the renter, specifying the deposit, the rental price, cancellation conditions, and cleaning and fuel costs. The same site recommends that an inventory of fixtures be carried out when the customer takes possession of the boat.

Safety

Division *** of December **, **** sets out the rules to be observed in relation to navigation at sea on boats under ** meters. This text published by the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy includes rules specific to chartering in Chapter III.

This text stipulates that a motorboat over * meters in length intended to be rented out for sea outings must include a certain number of items of equipment: electronic positioning system or GPS, depth sounder, procedure document in the event of dewatering, abandonment or fire, VHF transceiver, and other equipment for navigation on the high seas.boats leased for professional purposes are also subject to a special annual inspection (***).

Taxation

The **** vote on the taxation of income from collaborative platforms (***) a private individual ...

5.2 Regulations for Skippered Rentals

The different rental contracts

With the proliferation of collaborative rental platforms, Maritime Affairs has stepped up controls at sea. So it's important to know the legal framework for each skippered yacht charter. The charter contract determines who has commercial and nautical control of the vessel. One side is the lessor (***).

There are three types of charter:

Bareboat charter: the vessel is for the lessee's own use, as he becomes the shipowner and has full nautical and commercial control of the vessel. The lessee assumes the civil and financial responsibilities of the maritime expedition; Bareboat charter with separate crew recruitment: the vessel is for personal use, as the lessee becomes the shipowner and has full nautical and commercial control of the vessel. The lessee assumes the civil and financial responsibilities of the maritime expedition; Rental of a vessel with skipper and/or crew: These are time or voyage contracts, or even passage ticketing, and the vessel must be a Commercial Use Vessel (***). The skipper must hold a diploma or state certificate. The boat owner becomes a shipowner, ceasing to be a charterer and assuming a number of responsibilities.

Skipper's certificates

The decree dated December **, ****, which came into force in ****, makes professional use ...

5.3 Boating license regulations

A boating license is required to drive a pleasure boat on the sea or inland waters (***).

On rivers and canals, the operation of sailing boats powered by an engine in excess of *.* kilowatts is subject to possession of a license valid for inland waters and corresponding to the length of the boat. It is forbidden to drive a motorized pleasure boat without the required license, in the context of accompanied driving.

If you are borrowing a boat, you must have all the relevant navigation documents on board, as well as a letter from the owner certifying the loan of the vessel. If you are renting a boat, in addition to all the necessary navigation documents, you must also be in possession of the signed rental contract.

Sailing boats do not require a license.

6.1 Segmentation

• Travelopia, Sunsail, Le Boat, The Moorings
• Moorings France (Moorings Group)
• Filovent
• Dream Yacht Charter (Beneteau Groupe)
• Bénéteau Rent (Groupe Beneteau)
• Lagoon Catamaran (Construction Navale Bordeaux)
• Globe Sailor
• Quo Vadis Plaisance
• Les Canalous
• Le Boat (Travelopia)
• Nautal
• SamBoat.fr
• Locaboat Holidays - Nicols Yacht
• Click & Boat
• Nauticoncept
• Boataround
• Voile et Vent
• Wiziboat
• Océans Evasion (Click & Boat)
• GlobeSailor
• Nicols Yacht
• Catlante Catamarans
• Hey Captain (Digital Nautic)
• Solutions Plaisance
• Loire Atlantique Pêche et Plaisance