India's Small Boats Market: Riding the Wave of Growth

The India small boats market is driven by rising watersports popularity, tourism growth, and innovative technologies, offering cost-effective, eco-friendly solutions.

India Small Boats Market Report Highlights

• By type, the pontoon segment dominated the India small boats market in 2024 and accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024.
• By type, the deck boat segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.
• By application, the recreation segment dominated the India small boats market in 2024 and accounted for the highest revenue share in 2024.
• By application, the sports segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.

The India small boats market refers to the production, distribution, and application of small boats as recreational, pleasure, or commercial fishing marine vessels with a LOF of equal to or less than 125 feet. This market consists of sales of Jon boats, skiffs, dinghies, inflatable boats, aluminum fishing boats, CAR-Toppers, pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes, and jet boats. A small boat is more nimble and can be easier to maneuver in crowded and small anchorages. Boat and sail management is easier due to the loads are less. Docking and transiting locks can be easier.

The benefits of traveling by boat include providing more scenic views, exploring more water and water bodies, and offering a more relaxing experience that is also cost-effective. These small boats are typically used on inland waterways such as rivers and lakes or in protected coastal areas. Pontoon boats are a safer option in many aspects beyond their stability in the water. The exterior rails that wrap around the entire boat keep everything inside. The exterior rails that wrap around the entire boat keep everything inside.

The rising popularity of watersports is driving the growth of the India small boats market. Small boats are used for sports and recreational activities performed in water. These include rowing, parasailing, jet skiing, boat racing, kayaking, and much more. In particular, sports that involve getting out in nature, such as canoeing, have a greater impact on positive mental health we get the benefit of both exercise and nature. We can also take up a team sport. Watersports health benefits include steady breathing practice and increased overall core strength, as the limbs work against constant water resistance. It also helps to improve mental health, and also it is good for the mind. Water sports are a great form of exercise due to the benefit of both the body and mind.

Positive outlook for the tourism industry driving the growth of the India small boats market. Small boats get to sail more than big boats, smaller gears mean lower prices and lower maintenance costs. Small boats in the tourism industry, reduced environmental impact, lower operational costs, and an enhanced tourist experience are a few advantages of small boats.

The tourism industry creates jobs, strengthens the economy, contributes to local infrastructure development, and can help to conserve the natural environment and cultural assets and traditions and reduce poverty and inequality. Tourism increases economic activity. Direct benefits include those created by tourism-related activities like accommodation, transport, and attractions. Rising demand for innovative technologies in recreational boats is driving the growth of the India small boats market. Recreational boats are considered those that, regardless of the means of propulsion, have hull lengths between 2.5 and 24 meters and whose use is for recreational and sporting purposes.

The recreational vessel, as defined, means a vessel being manufactured or operated primarily for pleasure or leased, rented, or chartered to another for the latter’s pleasure but excludes ‘passenger vessels’ and ‘small passenger vessels’ as defined by 46 U.S.C. Small boats are used for sports and recreational activities performed in water.

Recreational uses mean leisure activities that are performed individually or collectively through many forms of play, amusement, or relaxation and may involve the use of facilities like picnic benches, shelters, storage buildings, and washroom facilities. Advanced technologies in recreational boats are significantly quieter than those with combustion engines, reducing noise pollution and improving the boating experience. Technological advancement and innovation in recreational boat benefits include better speeds, better fuel economy, lightweight, and easy maintenance.

According to Volza’s India export data, India exported 10181 shipments of boats from March 2023 to February 2024. These exports were made by 1140 Indian exporters to 2250 buyers, marking a growth rate of 27% compared to the preceding twelve months.