/ 
In 2025, the dismantling of pleasure boats reached a new milestone, with 3,079 units dismantled and recycled over the year. Since 2019, 16,183 boats have been processed by the industry led by APER, the eco-organization dedicated to the end-of-life of pleasure boats. But beyond the volume, this report raises a number of concrete questions for owners, shipyards and ports.
A steady rise from 2019
Since its first approval in 2019, the boat recycling industry has seen steady growth. Annual volumes have risen from a few hundred units to over 16,000 boats dismantled and recycled to date, including 3,079 in 2025 alone.
This dynamic reflects two realities. On the one hand, the ageing of the stock, particularly units built in the 1970s to 1990s in laminated polyester. On the other, owners are better able to identify deconstruction solutions.
For yachtsmen, the benefits are clear. Depositing your boat at an approved center means you can get it off the registry cleanly, avoid abandoning it at the quayside, and limit the environmental risks associated with wrecks. On the other hand, logistics remain a sensitive issue for units that are grounded, sunk or difficult to transport.
Which types of boat are most affected
Details by type shed light on the profile of end-of-life boats. In 2025, monohull sailboats will account for 961 units. Monohull powerboats lead the way with 1,223 units. Dinghies follow with 463 units.
The other categories remain more marginal: sport catamarans 147 units, semi-rigids 136, tenders 57, inflatables 39, jet skis 21, multihull sailboats 12.
And the size of the boats confirms a well-known trend in the industry. The majority of recycled boats are less than 6 meters long. Units between 6 and 24 meters make up a smaller proportion, but are technically more difficult to handle.
After all, behind every polyester hull, the shipyard has to carry out a complete decontamination operation. Removal of fluids and batteries, dismantling of engines, separation of metals and management of composite waste. Crushing laminate hulls remains an industrial challenge, with material recovery still only partial. For yacht owners with a cruising sailboat or a small open engine, the cost of transport to an approved center remains a determining factor.
Uneven territorial coverage
By 2025, 37 treatment centers had been approved by APER. Two new partners have joined the network, Nicolin in Saint Fons and Verde SXM in Saint Martin.
The map of recycled boats shows marked regional disparities. The Atlantic coast and Brittany account for a large share of volumes. The Mediterranean, especially Provence and Occitania, also show high figures. The West Indies, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint Martin, total 17 units processed.
For marinas and local authorities, having a center nearby reduces handling and transport costs. But in some areas, particularly overseas or on rivers, the remoteness of the location makes it more difficult to handle abandoned units.
And for yachting professionals, this territorial network also determines the ability to manage estates, seizures or boats left unattended in ports.
A sector still in its infancy when it comes to the challenges of composites
There's more to dismantling a pleasure boat than simply putting it through the crusher. Most of the boats concerned are made of fiberglass-reinforced polyester. This material, which is long-lasting during navigation, proves complex to recycle at the end of its life.
Today, recovery is largely achieved through shredding and use as solid recovered fuel or fillers in certain industrial applications. Closed-loop reuse remains limited.
For shipyards and architects, this 2025 assessment raises the broader question of eco-design. The choice of resins, the dismantlability of fittings, the traceability of materials - these are all parameters that will come into play in the years to come.
And for yachtsmen wondering about the end-of-life of their boats, the message is clear. The industry exists and is growing, but it requires anticipation. Anticipate transport, the condition of the boat, administrative formalities and the timetable.
Boat recycling is no longer a marginal issue. It is now part of the day-to-day management of an aging pleasure craft fleet. In 2025, 3,079 units left the docks for the dismantling sector. Over the years, this figure is set to continue rising with the same regularity as the tide.
