Yachts are hardly a mass market product and yet the superyacht market has carved out a niche in being even more exclusive, but how much does a yacht cost to build, buy or rent? Let's take a look at the current state of the market.
Since the 1980s the amount of superyachts, ie yachts over 24 meters, has grown 600% with the worldwide fleet now counting over 10,000 vessels compared to around 1,500 in 1979. Deliveries of large sailing yachts have however remained constant throughout the decades with around 45 S/Y built per year since the 70s.
This exponential growth was brought mainly by the construction of motor yachts. Indeed, the ratio of M/Y to S/Y built has exploded from 2 in the 1980s to a whooping 7 motor yachts delivered for each sailing yacht under construction today. As a result sailing yachts have often retained value better than their counterparts.
The expansion of the worldwide fleet of superyachts has also had another significant effect, the accelerated depreciation of yachts on the brokerage market. A 43-meter Benetti Vision 145 could for example be built at a cost of €21,9 million in 2014 whereas a 10-year old model in mint condition such as M/Y Dia's could be bought for just €8 million on the brokerage market.
This large difference in price is however not unique to this case and can be found across almost all yacht manufacturers. Heesen, a well-known Dutch shipyard, is currently selling its 47-meter Project Ruya for €29,9 million. Its 2012 sistership, Lady Petra is however up for sale at the same time asking €22,500,000, down from her initial asking price of €31 million when it was first listed for sale in 2014.
On top of the initial purchase price must however also be added the yearly maintenance fees amounting to roughly 10% of the initial price of a new build. For a 55-meter yacht for example, this would represent close to $3 million per year.
Crew salaries today represent the largest of those expenses with the starting salary of a deckhand onboard a 50-meter yacht orbiting around $40,000 per year and going over $200,000/year for captains on larger yachts. The balance sheet is further burdened with fuel costs, repairs and operating costs such as uniforms and food for the crew.
To offset the operating costs, some owners turn to renting out their yachts to guests, which has created a market with near 1,400 yachts for charter throughout the world. Before the subprime crisis, these could represent a genuine business opportunity with some UHNWIs even building superyachts with solely charter in mind.
Few yachts are however able to fully recoup their maintenance costs in today's market. The 72-meter Axioma for example, one of the most popular charter yachts on the market, generated over €7 million in revenue from charters in its first year alone. Yet, its current asking price of €68 million suggest these have barely outperformed operational costs.
Many have therefore claimed that chartering a yacht has become the only financially justifiable option. It can indeed be argued that a like-new, 50-meter yacht could be chartered for near €250,000 per week during the summer season. To those would be added around 25% in fees of advanced provisioning, which would cover food, fuel, berthing fees and other expenses whilst charter guests are on board.
Annual operating costs of such a yacht would be near €2 million per year, which equates to nearly 6 and a half weeks of charter. It would therefore seem one would need to spend at least two months onboard to justify the operating costs, let alone the full purchase price. Yet, every year, dozens of new build projects are started despite this financial reasoning.
Prior to the 2008 crisis, an industry of yacht flippers had emerged with clients buying a slot for a superyacht at a prestigious shipyard and then reselling the yacht slightly before its launch. US businessman, Warren E. Halle had ordered 3 yachts from Lurssen in 2003, which he paid for €48 million a piece plus the cost of interior finishing. As following legal proceedings revealed, he later sold the first yacht (Project Marlin) for €65 million in 2006, the second one for €71,5 million in 2008 and kept the third one (Martha Ann) for himself, which is now on the market asking $79 million.
This market has since evaporated with many shipyards that had committed to build on speculation, in order to retain ownership of their slots throughout the construction, facing difficult financial times. Italian shipyard Baglietto posted losses of €105 million in 2009 and was ultimately only saved by the Gavio Group, which brought it back to financial stability. Yet, despite this turmoil, at least 700 superyachts are currently under construction.
Photo via Dutch Yachting
The megayacht market is at the moment particularly strong with at least 6 projects over 100 meters currently in build at Lurssen alone and several other shipyards working on their largest yachts to date such as Benetti and Feadship. Historically this high demand for megayachts in the past decade has allowed their sales prices to remain higher than construction prices due to the gains in time a brokerage purchase offered.
In 2011 for example, the late Russian oligarch, Boris Berezovsky managed to sell his Project Darius, under construction at Lurssen at the time, for €240 million to the Al Futtaim. He had however paid just €148,5 million, plus interior finishing costs, for the project as became known in a legal process that followed.
A growing concern for superyacht builders has however become the increasing gap between the increasing number of individuals with a net worth of over €250 million and the stagnant number of new build projects. Some have speculated that a possible explanation for this shift is a disinterest with the new generation of younger UHNWIs to own yachts and an increasing preference to charter by picking from an ever-growing fleet.
Dutch shipyard, Feadship has however delivered the 70-meter Joy, first yacht to boast an exterior design by Bannenberg & Rowell in modern history, to their youngest client yet. As a testament to her owner's young age, the superyacht features a basketball court on the bow and a gym surrounded by glass walls on the bridge deck.
Despite all the financial reasoning that might nudge UHNWIs to charter rather than own, over 350 superyachts were sold in 2016 showing that the reasons behind owning a yacht might actually be dominated by the pleasure and freedom that owners get from their own superyacht.
Azimut has unveiled its new 38.2-meter Grande Trideck superyacht, marking a design evolution for the Italian builder's flagship series. The vessel features interiors by Milan-based studio m2atelier, implementing their "Barefoot Luxury" concept focused on informal sophistication.The exterior design by Alberto Mancini retains Azimut's characteristic sleek profile while incorporating new elements like a recessed foredeck pool with integrated chaise lounge. The interior architecture emphasizes clean geometries, with straight horizontal and vertical lines creating an expanded sense of space. Diagonal elements appear selectively to establish intimate areas within the open layout.Notable interior features include a signature "Unveiling Wall" in the main salon - a motorized panel of vertical wood slats that slides open to reveal a hidden television. Floor-to-ceiling glazing throughout guest areas maintains visual connections to the seascape. The owner's suite utilizes layered glass partitions to preserve sightlines while ensuring privacy.Custom furniture pieces designed by m2atelier and manufactured by Giorgetti follow the Integral Design approach, ensuring stylistic continuity throughout all interior elements. The Sky Lounge incorporates a convertible hi-lo table that transforms the space between lounge, dining area and media room configurations."Light becomes the invisible thread that connects every environment," explained m2atelier founders Marijana Radovic and Marco Bonelli. The lighting design uses concealed LED strips and strategic window placement to accentuate material textures and spatial volumes.The Grande Trideck represents the first of three new models in Azimut's redesigned Grande series, with two additional yachts scheduled for debut at the September 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival. Technical specifications including propulsion systems and performance data remain undisclosed at this stage.Azimut's Product Design Director Federico Lantero described the project as creating "an atmosphere that evolves with those who experience it" rather than focusing on traditional displays of luxury. The design separates crew circulation routes while maintaining visual openness in all guest areas.Azimut Yachts is an Azimut Benetti Group brand. With its Atlantis, Magellano Flybridge, S, Verve and Grande collections, Azimut offers the widest range of 10 to 40 meters.Credits: Azimut Yachts
July 28, 2025
Ferretti Group's Pershing brand has introduced the GTX70, the smallest model in its Sport Utility Yacht series, measuring 21.76 meters (71'4") in length with a 5.42-meter (17'9") beam. The yacht made its world premiere during Pershing's 40th anniversary celebrations in Capri, Italy.Developed through collaboration between the Ferretti Group Product Strategy Committee led by Piero Ferrari, Vallicelli Design, and the Group's Engineering Department, the GTX70 was constructed at the Ferretti Group's Plug and Mould facility in Mondolfo. The yacht represents a more compact interpretation of Pershing's GTX concept, combining sporty performance with increased livability compared to similar-sized vessels.The GTX70 is powered by three Volvo Penta D13 IPS1200 engines, each producing 900 horsepower. Preliminary performance data indicates a top speed of 36 knots and a cruising speed of 30 knots. The propulsion system incorporates Volvo IPS electro-hydraulic steering and is complemented by Humphree Interceptor trim control and Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilizers. The yacht holds CE Class A certification, the highest safety rating for vessels under 24 meters.Exterior spaces feature a two-level stern configuration with a 23-square-meter beach area that expands to nearly 8 meters in beam when side terraces are deployed. The swim platform utilizes dual linear lift technology, functioning both as a tender launch platform and an extended lounge area. The main deck offers 10% more interior space than comparable models, while exterior areas are 30% larger.Accommodations include three cabins for six guests: a full-beam master suite amidships with walk-in wardrobe, a forward VIP cabin, and a guest cabin with crosswise bed arrangement. Crew quarters forward contain two bunk beds and a separate bathroom. Interior design emphasizes spatial perception through mirrored surfaces and LED lighting strips by Altraluce.The 16-square-meter sportbridge divides into three functional areas: a sunbathing space aft, central dining section with L-shaped sofa and extendable table, and forward helm station. The area can be shaded by either a standard awning or an optional carbon fiber bimini top.Notable features include a main deck galley with retractable glass panel connecting to the cockpit, and a helm station with pillarless windscreen for 360-degree visibility. The bow area can be configured with either sun pads or a dinette featuring a convertible table.Construction utilized Pershing's plug and mould technology, with the hull and superstructure built at the Mondolfo facility dedicated to GTX series production. The yacht's design maintains signature GTX elements including the near-vertical bow and arch-shaped profile while introducing more compact proportions.The GTX70 joins the Pershing lineup as the brand's third GTX model, following the GTX80 and GTX116. Its debut coincides with Pershing's 40th anniversary year, marking the brand's continued expansion into the sport cruiser segment.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group
July 28, 2025
Northrop & Johnson has listed the new-build 26.5-meter explorer yacht Project Mako Shark for EUR6,825,000, with Yacht Broker Deniz Kaymaz representing the sale. The steel-hulled vessel, designed by Rıza Tansu and built by Tufan and Yachting Co., features a naval-inspired design with a 7.63-meter beam and shallow 1.8-meter draft.Powered by twin Cummins X15 600hp heavy-duty diesel engines, the yacht achieves a maximum speed of 12 knots with a cruising speed of 11 knots. The propulsion system delivers an exceptional 4,500-nautical-mile range at an economical 8 knots, supported by 28,000-liter fuel tanks. Engine room insulation ensures quiet operation at 58 dB in guest areas during cruising.The interior showcases marine-grade oak paneling with matte finishes, complemented by tempered glass partitions and stainless steel accents. Guest accommodations include a full-beam main deck master suite with office area and marble-clad rain shower. Four additional cabins (two VIP doubles, one twin, and one convertible) feature en-suite bathrooms with anti-fog mirrors and teak flooring.Common areas utilize scratch-resistant synthetic leather upholstery and shock-absorbing decking materials. The galley is equipped with commercial-grade Miele appliances and corrosion-resistant fixtures.The yacht offers two layout options: a crew-operated version with upper deck helm station or an owner-operated configuration with private sky lounge. Exterior spaces include an aft deck dining area with weather-resistant furniture, a convertible foredeck lounge with sunbed padding, and an upper deck with non-slip teak surfaces.Project Mako Shark's classification includes RINA Comfort Class certification for noise and vibration levels. The vessel is currently available for purchase with delivery scheduled for Q2 2026.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
July 28, 2025
The 42.2-meter motor yacht Song of Songs has entered the market at EUR22,888,000 through Camper & Nicholsons, with Chief Commercial Officer Asia Julien Solari and Sales Broker Della Pearce representing the central agency. The vessel is also available for charter in Southeast Asia.Constructed in 2023 by Heysea Yachts as the first model on their Asteria 139 platform, Song of Songs was designed in collaboration with VYD Studio. The 431GT yacht features a semi-displacement hull powered by twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines, achieving a top speed of 19 knots with a 2,000 nautical mile range at 14 knots cruising speed.The yacht's layout accommodates twelve guests across six cabins, including an upper deck master suite with private aft terrace, a main deck secondary master, and three VIP suites plus one convertible cabin on the lower deck. Crew quarters provide for seven staff members.Notable amenities comprise a 120 square meter sun deck with hardtop-covered dining area and bar, a main deck beach club with transformer platform, and a forward lounge area featuring a hot tub. The contemporary interior design utilizes light oak joinery and marble finishes throughout the living spaces.With 26,300 liters of fuel capacity and average consumption of 320 liters per hour at cruising speed, the yacht is equipped for extended voyages. A 120KVA Kohler generator handles onboard power requirements. The vessel's design emphasizes indoor-outdoor connectivity through extensive glazing and multiple al fresco entertainment areas.Credits: Camper & Nicholsons
July 25, 2025
Nautor Swan will field sixteen yachts in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race, representing nearly the entire production history of the Finnish builder. The fleet includes models ranging from classic Sparkman & Stephens designs to contemporary German Frers creations.The 100th edition of the 695-nautical-mile race begins July 26 from Cowes, Isle of Wight, with a record 451 entries from 34 nations. The course passes Fastnet Rock off Ireland before finishing in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France.At a pre-race reception hosted by Nautor Swan Global Service at the Royal Air Force Yacht Club in Hamble, the all-female crewed Swan 46 Anne Bonny received the Spirit of Swan Award. The yacht is sailed by Belgian team "Swanne Bonny."Notable entrants include:Coco De Mer (Swan 62RS)Truwen (Swan 38)Galiana Withsecure (Swan 55)Miri (Swan 48)The participation follows recent Swan successes including ClubSwan 125 Skorpios' 2021 line honors victory and Swan 441 Best Buddies' dual handicap win at the Aegean 600. Simultaneously, the new ClubSwan 28 makes its competitive debut at Lake Garda.Nautor Swan was founded in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland. The builder entered the superyacht market in 1999. Since then, the yard has continued building high-performance sailing yachts in three different lines; ClubSwan, Swan Yachts and Maxi Swan Yachts. Credits: Nautor Swan
July 25, 2025