The availability and number of marina berths in France has been a problem plaguing the recreational boating market for many years. And yet, is the number of marina berths truly insufficient?
It is often said that the recreational boating market in France is hampered by the number of marina berths. It is true that finding a marina berth, before…buy a boat. It’s a real test of endurance. A test that often ends in failure. Marinas have therefore implemented systems to address this situation, including waiting lists. However, the average waiting time is 5 years in French marinas. This delay can be much longer in certain regions such as the south of France or Brittany.
Solutions to address the lack of port space
Before proceeding, immediately forget the false solutions of “buying the boat with the berth” or “subletting.” The marina managers will not appreciate it. association moorings are subject to the same rules. Boaters own the mooring, not the berth. You are on the maritime domain.
For their part, marinas, whether private, municipal, or linked to joint associations, have all tried to find alternatives. dry dock spaces These are the most common. They save space by storing boats on land. Motorboats can be stored on racks, stacked one on top of the other. For boaters, this solution represents cost savings on marina berths and simplified maintenance.
Other alternatives are even more innovative. The Compagnie des Ports du Morbihan, for example, has gone to great lengths to make its marina berths profitable. Indeed, it offers various contracts including the mobility of your boatYour contract may stipulate that your boat be hauled out for part of the year, then afloat in one or two different ports. At the same time, these contracts offer policyholders overnight stays in partner ports during their cruising stopovers. This is the Stopover Passport. The idea is toencourage boaters to use their boats and to anticipate their departures. The aim is to know which berths become available and make them available to other boaters. A beneficial solution for everyone.
Boaters are changing their habits
If the number of marina berths is limited, what about boat purchases?
The recreational boating market has experienced a major downturn in recent years. The number of new boat registrations has fallen by 50% Since 2007, sales have reached nearly 13,000 boats. These figures cover all types of boats, from sailboats to motorboats, including RIBs and dinghies. The used boat market remains stable, with nearly 60,000 transactions per year. At the same time, the number of boat licenseThe number of berths issued is constantly increasing. One might therefore think that the bottleneck of boats will not stop and that port berths will become increasingly difficult to find.
However, the latest summary of recreational boating figures, published by the maritime affairs department (1) tells us much more. Indeed, it appears that in 2018, nearly 80% of new registrations are for motorboatsAt the same time, 60% of registered boats are less than 6 meters long, and 80% are less than 7 meters. The figures for the used boat market are more or less the same.
It therefore appears that the recreational boating market is established and is increasingly concentrated on motorboats less than 6 metersThese boats are, generally transportable And used for a few weeks a yearWe will leave aside the few local boaters who sail more often, the recreational fishermen and the regatta sailors who travel a lot.
Marinas: for which boats and for what purpose?
We can therefore see that more and more boaters are turning to small boats. transportable boat. While cost is obviously a major reason for buying these boats, portability is certainly a factor. And does a portable boat really need a berth, afloat and year-round? The answer is obviously no.
At the same time, it appears that a large part of Boat buyers are retireesThe boating practices of these recreational boaters are quite different from those of 15 or 20 years ago. And, with all due respect to retirees, one can assume that not all of these boaters will still be sailing in 20 years. Twenty years is a long time for a person. But is 20 years a reasonable timeframe for an investment? It’s a question worth asking.
One can legitimately think that More and more marina berths will become available in the coming years.As proof, waiting lists in some ports are starting to shorten.
So, is it financially justified to invest millions in infrastructure that will no longer be used in a few years? Is it necessary to invest in projects with a significant environmental impact for structures that will be outdated and unprofitable in 10 or 15 years?
The question arises today. While marinas are still being planned in design offices, or even just being built, shouldn’t we focus on modernizing existing infrastructure? Is it desirable to see floating pontoons in the middle of non-urban areas, or far from existing ports?
At the risk of upsetting many future boaters or those involved in the boating industry, It is urgent to rethink our port berth system to make it more fluidThe example of the Compagnie des Ports du Morbihan seems to me an encouraging avenue. No longer renting out a berth but subscribing to a berth service would allow for a transition into future years when berths will be too numerous.