The market is split in two: On the one hand, there is the market leader Linssen Yachts, which offers boats from 30 to 50 feet. However, their possible variants are very limited - hull colour, upholstery and that's almost where it ends. However, the equipment in all sizes is very complete right from the shipyard. Changes to the layout or motorisation are not planned.
And that's a good thing, says the shipyard, because the boats are so perfectly thought out and sophisticated. In addition, the price of used boats remains high. The shipyard can also back this up with statistics.
Around 70 private buyers of new builds speak a clear language: Linssen is by far the largest supplier when it comes to unit numbers. They have found a very comfortable niche and filled it completely.
In contrast, there is a whole armada of shipyards with three key words: bigger, more customised and faster. Below 40 feet, the market is very difficult, customers wait, compare and ultimately buy a motorhome. Above that, however, there is a lot of dynamism. New models, boatyards that are constantly expanding their range upwards and, in particular, almost no more specifications for layout or motorisation.
This is because many customers want to be faster in order to escape bad weather at sea or to pass commercial shipping more easily on rivers.
This requires two things: on the one hand, the ships need to be lighter - aluminium is a good material for this - and on the other hand, large engines are needed, which in turn require larger tanks. Clearly, speeds of around or over 20 knots do not come for free. Nevertheless, the trend is pronounced and persistent.
But what's next for the market, which has undergone enormous innovation and change in recent years?
New materials are on the horizon that could turn steel construction on its head. New emissions regulations will not be long in coming either. Hybrid or electric drives, as recently announced by Volvo Penta, could prevail. However, further weight savings with composite components will then be necessary.
Hopefully, all of this will continue to attract an innovative customer base that is prepared to pay a premium for customised boats and wait longer for them. After all, series production is always cheaper and faster thanks to optimised manufacturing.
In the September issue of BOOTE (available at newsagents from 15/08/18), we present ten new products. You can also download the PDF below. You can see which boats are featured in the picture gallery.
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