The renewed Vene 25 Båt drew strong interest from the Finnish boating community
The renewed Vene 25 Båt drew strong interest from the Finnish boating community
The Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 25 Båt, underwent several changes this year. The exhibition featured more boats than before, and the selection of sailboats was significantly larger than in previous years. Fishing boats, boat recycling, and innovative boating products were showcased with new concepts. The Vene 25 Båt show attracted interest not only from the Finnish boating community but also from international visitors. The event was held from 7–16 February 2025 at Helsinki Expo and Convention Center.
During the opening weekend, the Helsinki Outdoor & Hunting Fair was held alongside the boat show. These events complemented each other perfectly. Boating enthusiasts attended the boat show with even greater enthusiasm during the first weekend, as they also had the opportunity to explore the Outdoor & Hunting Fair.
The number of visitors at Vene 25 Båt exceeded over 67,500, which is more than 10,000 more than last year. The increase was partly due to visitors from the Outdoor & Hunting Fair's target audience, but a significantly larger proportion of boating enthusiasts also attended the event.
"Helsinki's boat show strengthens its position year after year as Northern Europe's largest boating event. The foundation of the exhibition is the Finnish boat industry, which enjoys high international recognition. Leading international boat brands and boating accessory manufacturers made significant investments and maintained a strong presence at the event", says Jarkko Pajusalo, CEO of Finnboat, the Finnish Marine Industries Federation, which organizes the event.
The boat show kicked off the boating season
Despite being a challenging year for the Finnish boating industry, companies anticipate a turnaround for the better already this year. The boat show serves as an important sales venue and marks the start of the spring boat sales season, driven by deals made and connections established during the event. Over 90% of the new boats sold in Finland are at most 7 meters long. At Vene 25 Båt, a greater number of smaller boats were showcased, many of which are well-suited as cottage boats. Finns are a boating nation, with one in five Finns owning a boat.
Otto Brandt Oy, the exhibitor of Faster, Silver, TG, and Terhi boats, saw a 20% increase in sales compared to last year. Additionally, the number of quote requests received was significantly higher than the previous year. "Our expectations were high, and we can confirm that sales have had a really strong start. The Silver models and TG boats have been particularly popular. In addition to boats, ePropulsion's electric motors attracted significantly more interest, thanks to the broader range of models available", says Markku Hämäläinen, CEO of Otto Brandt Oy.
Targa Center's CEO, Berndt Mérus, reports that sales at Vene 25 Båt were exceptionally strong. This year, four Targa boats were sold at the exhibition stand.
Sailboats attracted particularly strong interest
At Vene 25 Båt, five large sailboats were showcased this year, including two from the Beneteau Oceanis series.
"The Sailing Harbor (Purjehdussatama) has been well-visited every day, and interest in sailboats has been high. Many come here just to admire and dream of a new sailboat, but sales have also been strong, with several boats sold. This is quite unusual. We have also established valuable contacts for future deals. Showcasing new sailboats not only boosts the sales of pre-owned boats but also increases overall interest in sailing", says Antti Saarisalo, CEO of Ajola Yachts Oy.
This year, the Sailboat of the Show was selected once again after a three-year break, with the X-Yachts X4.9 MkII chosen as the winner.
Boating accessories and equipment remain perennial favorites at the exhibition
Many new boating accessories and equipment were showcased at the boat show. According to a survey, over 60% of visitors attend the event each year specifically to explore these products. Sales were particularly strong in the exhibition’s largest accessories section.
"We sold a particularly high number of life jackets and clothing items. Additionally, we showcased solar panels, refrigerators, kayaks, and electrical equipment at the exhibition, which was a fantastic season opener and a lively event. This year, we participated with a broader selection, and sales surpassed last year's results", says Sebastian Kindstedt, CEO of Marinekauppa.
The boat show ran for ten days
The Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 25 Båt, was held from 7–16 February 2025 at Helsinki Expo and Convention Center. As Northern Europe’s largest boating event, it is organized by Helsinki Expo and Convention Center on behalf of the Finnish Marine Industries Federation, Finnboat rf. The event's sustainability partner for 2025 was the John Nurminen Foundation. For the first time, the Helsinki Outdoor & Hunting Fair took place alongside the boat show during the opening weekend, from 7–9 February 2025.
The Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 26 Båt, will be held from 6–15 February 2026 at Helsinki Expo and Convention Center.
Pictures: Http://mediabank.messukeskus.com
For more information: Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, Communications Manager Teija Armanto, Phone: +358 50 376 0804
www.venemessut.fi/en #venemessut @venemessut
