France-Italy used boat market: 2025 review and 2026 outlook
Our experts have carried out a detailed analysis of current market trends to identify the most significant developments and future opportunities.
The second-hand market stays afloat
At a time when the new yacht sector is going through some turbulent economic times, the market for second-hand boats is holding up well, both in France and in Italy.
Recent figures show an astonishing resilience:
The French Nautical Industries Federation (FIN) has reported a fall of 15 % in new boats, compared with just 3 % for used boats.
To put it plainly: boaters are still sailing, but they prefer tried and tested models rather than investing in a brand new boat at a high price.
The logic is simple: costs are exploding (materials, energy, insurance, maintenance), while purchasing power stagnates. .
As a result, a second-hand boat becomes the perfect compromise between pleasure and reason.
France-Italy: a shipping route full of opportunities
Geographically, the French-Italian zone is a jewel in the crown of nautical brokerage.
Between the Côte d'Azur and Liguria, there is a constant flow of buyers and sellers: the French are eyeing up the best Italian deals, and the Italians love selling to France, where demand remains solid.
This is where our role as cross-border broker makes perfect sense.
Navigating between two sets of legislation, two languages and two business cultures requires real expertise.
Formalities, VAT, transport, CE certificates: all this puts off private customers, but creates a niche market for well-positioned professionals.
What we need to remember about 2025
The year 2025 will have confirmed a number of fundamental trends:
- Opportunity dominates. Sales remain stable at around 55,000 to 60,000 units a year in France.
- Larger models hold up better. Demand for boats over 9 metres is stable, or even rising slightly.
- Prices are rising, but reasonably so. Stocks have adjusted upwards, but buyers are favouring well-maintained and documented boats.
- Digital is on the move. Advertising platforms, virtual tours, online valuations: the market has modernised, and digital confidence is becoming decisive.
2026: towards market consolidation
Forecasts for 2026 are cautious, but optimistic overall.
We expect stabilisation, or even a slight recovery in the volume of second-hand trade, underpinned by three dynamics:
- A lasting shift towards second-hand cars is taking hold New-build is too expensive, delivery times are getting longer, and financing solutions are often unattractive or costly, discouraging many buyers.
- Refocusing on quality. Buyers are becoming more demanding: complete history, ongoing maintenance, total transparency.
Medium-sized« boats are struggling to find takers. - Looking for a turnkey service. Inspection, transport, registration, logistics: the broker becomes more than a seller, he becomes a facilitator.
Key points for 2026
- Targeting the right sizes. 9 to 16 m remains the market's zone of stability.
- Focus on cross-border business. The dual skills of France and Italy create real added value.
- Optimising digital visibility. Multilingual ads, targeted promotion, quality photos/videos.
- Offer comprehensive support. Inspection, transport, administrative procedures, tax advice.
- Monitor market prices. Differences widen according to quality, so offering realistic estimates becomes a commercial asset.
In a nutshell
The second-hand boat market between France and Italy is heading into 2026 with favourable winds:
- Buyers motivated but cautious.
- More sellers.
- Prices stabilising.
- And a real need for competent brokers capable of bridging the gap between two countries and two nautical cultures.
The opportunities are there, but only structures capable of providing trust, transparency and cross-border expertise will have a lasting impact.
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