Water Sports Industry Faces Headwinds Due to Demographics - Germany’s boating industry faces ageing owners and shifting trends at boot Düsseldorf 2026
The world’s largest watercraft trade fair, boot Düsseldorf, returns to Messe Düsseldorf from January 17 to 25, 2026. Nearly 1,500 exhibitors will showcase over 1,000 boats, including luxury yachts, at the nine-day event. The fair arrives as Germany’s water sports industry faces shifting trends and demographic challenges.
Germany’s boating sector has seen a steady decline in privately owned vessels over the past decade. Numbers have fallen by around 40,000, leaving an estimated 440,000 boats in private hands. The average age of German boat owners has also risen to over 62, raising concerns about the industry’s future.
The pandemic briefly boosted interest, with a surge in boat licences issued in 2021. However, demand has since dropped below pre-pandemic levels. Despite this, the easing decline in boat numbers has reduced competition for moorings, particularly along the Baltic coast. To sustain long-term interest, early exposure to water sports is seen as vital. Programmes in Schleswig-Holstein, for example, teach schoolchildren to sail, hoping to foster lifelong participation. Germany’s 220 shipyards—building new vessels or refurbishing older ones—rely partly on this engagement, though many boats in use are imported, especially from Italy. Financially, the sector remains strong. Boat sales and marina fees alone generate an estimated €6.3 billion annually, underlining its economic importance.
The 2026 boot Düsseldorf fair will highlight both innovation and tradition in water sports. With fewer private boats but steady revenue, the industry is adapting to an ageing demographic. Early education and international imports continue to play key roles in keeping the sector afloat.
