Pleasure Boats and Accessories

The French pleasure boat industry is the second largest in the European Union behind Italy and the third largest worldwide (after the United States and Italy). It accounts for nearly one-third of European sales, and France supplies one-fifth of the European fleet.

The nautical boat industry in France, which includes pleasure boats, engines, equipment, accessories, distribution, and related services, accounted for approximately USD 7.97 billion in total sales in 2002. French pleasure boat construction alone represented USD 730 million in sales that year.

In 2002, motorboats accounted for 20.8 percent of total sales while the sailboat sector tallied 62.4 percent. France is the world’s largest producer and exporter of both sailboats and inflatable boats.

According to industry sources, pleasure boats in France numbered 790,000 units in 2003, excluding boats located in French overseas departments and territories. The industry utilizes 261 coastal harbors and 35 river harbors along 5,715 kilometers of coastline and 8,500 kilometers of interior waterways, offering over 223,000 berths, which include 163,000 marina berths and 60,000 known moorings. This does not include an additional 12,000 kilometers of coastline surrounding French overseas territories and departments.

Best Products/Services
France is a strong market for U.S. exporters of pleasure boats and equipment.
Navigation instruments, innovative technology (software, etc.), motorboats (not exceeding 25 feet in length) and equipment (life vests for water skiing, etc.) are also expected to gain market share in France.

Opportunities
Trade events:
Paris Boat Show http://www.salonnautiqueparis.com
Cannes Boat Show http://www.salonnautiquecannes.com
Salon du Grand Pavois http://www.grand-pavois.com
Monaco Yatch Show http://www.monacoyachtshow.com

Resources
French Federation of Nautical Industries, French Customs

Embassy U.S. Commercial Service Trade Specialist: Rose.Marie.Faria@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov
Phone: (33-1) 43 12 21 49 - Website: http://www.buyusa.gov/france/en