The boat and yacht building industry in Germany is riding the wave of a global trend towards private watercraft ownership, particularly in the realm of larger yachts. While the domestic market may be modest in size, industry players are setting their sights on international exports to capitalize on demand. As boats and yachts are crafted from ever-higher quality materials and boast increasing technical sophistication, manufacturers are catering to the discerning tastes of affluent clientele. As the allure of the boating market grows, Germany’s industry is experiencing an influx of new competitors, including low-cost providers from neighboring countries like Poland. This influx, while intensifying competition, also brings a positive effect by attracting a wave of new customers seeking leisure pursuits closer to home. Despite a steady annual growth rate averaging 3.7% over the past five years, the industry experienced a truly spectacular spike turnover in 2021 (22.8%). However, projections for 2024 forecast a slight decline of 2.8% to 2.8 billion euros. Nevertheless, rising net monthly household incomes are expected to boost the purchasing power for boats. The industry faces additional challenges from external factors such as the persistent high global market price for crude oil, which drives up maintenance costs and material expenses, particularly for plastic components. Looking ahead, economic uncertainty stemming from geopolitical conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, dampen growth prospects in the medium term. Ecological considerations are increasingly shaping the boating landscape with heightened scrutiny on fuel consumption and emissions. As environmental consciousness grows worldwide, the industry is now looking into fuel alternatives and greener options. Looking ahead to 2029, modest average annual sales growth of 0.6% is anticipated with industry sales projected to reach EUR 2.9 billion. While challenges loom on the horizon, Germany’s boating industry remains resilient, ready to chart a course towards sustainable growth.