PALMA
ONE in ten of new boats bought and registered in Spain last year were purchased in the Balearics making it the country's third most important nautical market.
Nearly 12'000 recreational vessels were registered in Spain last year and 1.117 were done so here in the Balearics.
Barcelona remains the largest market accounting for nearly 15 percent of new registrations followed by Madrid.
However, according to a study of the Spanish nautical market between 2001 and 2007 carried out by the National Association of Nautical Businesses, ,the industry has started to experience a downturn in business.
The boom in sales enjoyed between 2003 and 2006 ended last year.
In fact, the number of boats registered in Spain last year was nearly five percent less than in 2006.
The report has also revealed that sailing habits are changing.
Increasingly less people are buying sailing yachts.
Nearly three quarters of new boats registered last year were motor boats and there was a significant increase in demand for semi-rigid power boats.
However, Balearic ports and marinas are home to vessels, including some of the largest super yachts afloat, registered all over the world. Moorings during the popular sailing season are at a premium as the region continues to be one of the most popular sailing, repair and maintenance destinations in the western Mediterranean.
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