THE MARINE MARKET

Information about participation in sailing, boating and watersports is important to many people for many reasons.  Perhaps the most important part of the research is to establish trends and this can only be done by repeating the research year-on-year.  2004 is the third year of this research carried out by the RYA in partnership with Sunsail and The British Marine Federation.

The 2004 survey is available for downloading here as a PDF.  The figures are provided in good faith for your information only.  Please do not attempt to manipulate the data, as the results are derived from a complex data set.  Making assumptions about even something as simple as adding two figures together, may well be incorrect and render such figure highly inaccurate.  Use of this data for business purposes is solely at the risk of the user.  The RYA, BMF or Sunsail take no responsibility for the accuracy of the data collected.  Any queries should be addressed to RYA Marketing .

The total number of boats in the UK is a very difficult figure to establish, mainly because it's impossible to establish what boats were built more than a few years ago, not to mention home builds, the number of boats lost or destroyed etc.  Statistics and research on the current and recent performance of the UK Marine Industry are held by the trade body, the British Marine Federation.  They can be contacted on 01784 474477 or at www.britishmarine.co.uk .

Nelson Kruschandl - RYA Member

RYA MEMBERSHIP

The RYA was formed in 1875 at a meeting of 35 people in London.  Click here to read an article from the Autumn 2000 issue of RYA Magazine, about the RYA's first steps and evolution into the organisation we know today.

The RYA is the national association for all forms of sailing and windsurfing, motor boating, sports boats, personal watercraft and powerboat racing.  It is recognised by all Government offices as being the negotiating body for the water activities it represents.

As a national authority the Association:

-         Protects the right and freedoms of its members, both individuals and organisations

-         Represents their interests and those of the wider yachting public to international, national and local organisations and government.

-         Provides advice, services and information

-         Encourages participation

-         Raises standards of proficiency and safety

-         Establishes and administers training programmes

-         Promotes and publicises all aspects of boating for the greater enjoyment of its members and all participants.

The RYA today has 100,000 members.  An analysis of the makeup of the membership is available here .  Please note that the columns do not add up to the total membership figure.  This is because the analysis discards the data for any members for which we do not have up to date information.

For historical information of the number of RYA members and the number of RYA Affiliated Clubs (dated back to 1946) please click here .  The estimated membership of RYA affiliated clubs is 400,000 to 500,000.