Superyacht purchases are a peculiar form of investment. Unlike land or real estate, yachts are guaranteed to depreciate in value over time. Yet, new yachts are delivered every year and our database alone holds over 7.9 billion dollars worth of yachts for sale. One might therefore ask oneself what is driving this demand for yachts.
A yacht is arguably one of the most prestigious possessions one can have and would undoubtedly turn quite a few heads at cocktail parties. Owning, as opposed to chartering, can also provide greater freedom in terms of dates and itineraries. From these points alone, one could think that purchasing a yacht is an irrational choice that has no correlation with current economics.
Data however indicates otherwise. According to a report by Boat International, 205 yachts were sold in 2010, at the height of the recession, and this number has doubled to 412 yachts sold in 2014. This seems to indicate that yacht sales are in fact highly dependent on price as are most ordinary purchases. One might therefore consider whether now is a good time to purchase a yacht.
Despite a certain recovery in the market following the subprime crisis, the market is still far from its 2006/2007-state. As one might recall, a breed of yacht flippers had emerged in the early 2000s that commissioned yachts and sold them at a profit, a few months before launch. This arbitrage opportunity emerged due to the fact that most shipyards had their order books full for up to 3-4 years and led to profits for flippers of about 15% according to the Wall Street Journal.
These days now seem like a long-gone past for most players in the industry as we've shown in our article on the economics of yachting. Whereas some shipyards are venturing into speculative builds, either borrowing money from banks or putting up their own capital, others are holding off on any construction before finding a client for the new build.
On the brokerage side of the market, yachts typically go through several stages of price reductions before eventually being sold. This process can often take 2-3 years with the final price generally being 25-30% lower than the resulting asking price. In this buyer's market dynamic, it is the serious sellers that often manage to sell their yachts faster, understanding that a buyer has several options to choose from.
The willingness of owners to sell therefore seems to be the largest force shaping the industry since, once the prices become reasonable and near market-rate, buyers are quickly located. One can however wonder why owners set unreasonable prices in the first place when the succession of price reductions seems inevitable.
Will Christie, yacht broker at Y.CO, told the Superyacht Times in an interview: "Owners are in most instances relying on brokers to advise them on a pricing strategy that achieves a quick sale at the best possible price, but it's hard not to be attracted to the agents who are promising you 20-30% more than the others. Yachts that come onto the market at an overpriced level tend to languish there for 2-3 years (sometimes more) and only sell after a number of price reductions, during which period the owner has continuing running costs and depreciation to bear, notwithstanding a fair bit of frustration! After a few price reductions, it seems that potential buyers stand back as they await the next inevitable reduction - it's a dangerous spiral."
As a result of these multi-million assets being tied up in a long selling process, shipyards and suppliers have a hard time getting clients to build new yachts according to Mr Christie. This in turn leads to more stagnation in the industry as a whole. It is not uncommon for an owner to reject the first offer that comes in and eventually sell, a few years later, at a price lower than the first buyer would have given.
To conclude, one can therefore see that there are several good opportunities on the market today through sellers that have come to realize the actual value of their yachts. Although until the industry fully recovers, if it ever happens, reasonably-priced deals should keep coming on a rolling-basis. Consequently, there are and will be yachts with inflated prices and good deals on the market at the same time.
A yacht is arguably one of the most prestigious possessions one can have and would undoubtedly turn quite a few heads at cocktail parties. Owning, as opposed to chartering, can also provide greater freedom in terms of dates and itineraries. From these points alone, one could think that purchasing a yacht is an irrational choice that has no correlation with current economics.
Data however indicates otherwise. According to a report by Boat International, 205 yachts were sold in 2010, at the height of the recession, and this number has doubled to 412 yachts sold in 2014. This seems to indicate that yacht sales are in fact highly dependent on price as are most ordinary purchases. One might therefore consider whether now is a good time to purchase a yacht.
Despite a certain recovery in the market following the subprime crisis, the market is still far from its 2006/2007-state. As one might recall, a breed of yacht flippers had emerged in the early 2000s that commissioned yachts and sold them at a profit, a few months before launch. This arbitrage opportunity emerged due to the fact that most shipyards had their order books full for up to 3-4 years and led to profits for flippers of about 15% according to the Wall Street Journal.
These days now seem like a long-gone past for most players in the industry as we've shown in our article on the economics of yachting. Whereas some shipyards are venturing into speculative builds, either borrowing money from banks or putting up their own capital, others are holding off on any construction before finding a client for the new build.
On the brokerage side of the market, yachts typically go through several stages of price reductions before eventually being sold. This process can often take 2-3 years with the final price generally being 25-30% lower than the resulting asking price. In this buyer's market dynamic, it is the serious sellers that often manage to sell their yachts faster, understanding that a buyer has several options to choose from.
The willingness of owners to sell therefore seems to be the largest force shaping the industry since, once the prices become reasonable and near market-rate, buyers are quickly located. One can however wonder why owners set unreasonable prices in the first place when the succession of price reductions seems inevitable.
Will Christie, yacht broker at Y.CO, told the Superyacht Times in an interview: "Owners are in most instances relying on brokers to advise them on a pricing strategy that achieves a quick sale at the best possible price, but it's hard not to be attracted to the agents who are promising you 20-30% more than the others. Yachts that come onto the market at an overpriced level tend to languish there for 2-3 years (sometimes more) and only sell after a number of price reductions, during which period the owner has continuing running costs and depreciation to bear, notwithstanding a fair bit of frustration! After a few price reductions, it seems that potential buyers stand back as they await the next inevitable reduction - it's a dangerous spiral."
As a result of these multi-million assets being tied up in a long selling process, shipyards and suppliers have a hard time getting clients to build new yachts according to Mr Christie. This in turn leads to more stagnation in the industry as a whole. It is not uncommon for an owner to reject the first offer that comes in and eventually sell, a few years later, at a price lower than the first buyer would have given.
To conclude, one can therefore see that there are several good opportunities on the market today through sellers that have come to realize the actual value of their yachts. Although until the industry fully recovers, if it ever happens, reasonably-priced deals should keep coming on a rolling-basis. Consequently, there are and will be yachts with inflated prices and good deals on the market at the same time.
By November 2020, new superyacht marina should be completed and open for yachts on Navi Island (Fiji). Located in a 10-minute drive from Savusavu Airport, it is set to become one of the region’s first green facilities.The 150-berth Marina is conceived as one of the first eco-friendly yacht harbours in the world, by forbidding the use of disposable plastic bags on its territory. What is more, the marina and associated resort will be powered by renewable solar energy.Nawi Island Ltd’s Managing Director Mike Gann commented: We intend to be one of the first green marinas in the world. In doing so, the development on the island will be powered by renewable energy, namely solar. We are also putting in place an organic wastewater treatment system for the whole island and in addition, the company is using sustainable and organic building materials on the island.The marina’s berths will be able to welcome boats from 10 to 60 meters in length. In addition, fuel and power connections along with fire service pedestals, wastewater pump-out, ferry and taxi pontoon and a 75-tonne travel lift will be provided.The yard will offer repair and maintenance services, a hard stand, pull-up fuel and wastewater pump-out, and long-term dry storage. The marina will also comprise a hotel with a spa and sports facilities, 38 private villas and a yacht club.The works should be completed by early 2020. The official opening should take place ahead of the 2021 America's Cup yacht race held in New Zealand.
December 5, 2019
The 78-metre Full Custom superyacht project by Dutch builder Amels has touched water for the first time. The vessel is the builder’s largest superyacht in terms of interior volume. Earlier launched at Damen hull-building facility on the Danube, the 2,850 GT yacht features Espen Øino design and naval architecture and interiors by Zuretti Interior Designers. She is scheduled for completion in 2021, following transport to the AMELS outfitting yard in the Netherlands.Although several Amels superyachts including the 83-metre Here Comes The Sun and the 82-metre Ilona outdo the new-build in terms of LOA, the new Full Custom project features larger Gross Tonnage to make her the largest Amels superyacht once delivered.Espen Øino comments on the project’s details:The layout with the big pool on the upper deck with the boats below either side, but they are all hidden so you don’t see it. And of course the balconies with the direct access from the cabins out which you can spot very easily and it’s actually looking pretty amazing. The contract for construction of the vessel was signed in 2017, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Representing the owner, Andrew Tree of Superyacht Technical Services commented:This truly custom yacht, with stunning design both inside and out, could only be achieved with the greatest collaboration, having the very best of European design and the highest quality of construction and management.
December 4, 2019
The largest private sailing ketch in the world, the 86-metre superyacht Aquijo has been seen arriving in Antigua to take part in Antigua Charter Yacht Show taking place December 4-9.Video: Dutch YachtingThe 6th largest sailing superyacht in the world, Aquijo was built in 2016 out of collaboration between two Dutch shipyards, Oceanco and Vitters. Vitters developed a custom steering system specially for Aquijo. It transmits the hydrodynamic forces on the rudder blades directly to the steering wheels on the flybridge, thus providing the helmsman with immediate feedback and a feeling for how the yacht is moving through the water. German studio Dölker + Voges was responsible for her interior design, whilst Tripp Design Naval Architecture styled her exterior. The yacht comprises 4 decks and accommodates up to 12 guests across 17 cabins. On-board, Aquijo offers space and amenities normally seen on motor yachts, comprising guest elevator, interior and exterior dining for up to 24 people, 3 outdoor bars and a beach club with steam room, sauna and ocean view Jacuzzi. craftsmanship.The package of Aquijo’s toys and tenders includes and does not confine to 3 tender boats, 1 jet ski, 4 kayaks, 2 wakeboard, 3 water skis, 3 stand up paddle boards, 8 diving packs etc.Featuring a mast of of 90 metres, Aquijo boasts a maximum speed of 17.5 knots.The vessel is available for charter from EUR 450,000 per week in winter season.Photos via Y.CO.
December 4, 2019
Vancouver-based studio ER Yacht Design has unveiled a 60.5-metre sport superyacht concept Shotel. Designer Ivan Erdevicki conceived the project with aggressive sporty lines to be a part of the studio’s Gotham sporty yachts series.The superyacht would be built in aluminium and carbon fibre. The model’s key trademarks are spacious aft open deck areas with fold-down hull sides, large swim platform and beach club.Meanwhile, the main deck aft is integrated with the cockpit deck that comprises a spacious saloon and dining area. Alongside the pilothouse and captain’s cabin, there is the sky lounge sitting on the upper deck.With a beam of 10.5 metres and interior volume of 780 GT, the yacht can accommodate up to 14 guests across a full beam master suite on the main deck forward and six double guest cabins on the lower deck. The bow deck with two launching cranes can house an eight-metre tender, rescue RIB and jet skis.Shotel will boast a maximum speed of 24 knots and cruising speed of 18 knots, also featuring a range of 3,800 nautical miles.
December 4, 2019
Italian builder Otam has announced sale and construction start of 21-metre fully customised motor yacht. The sleek project was designed in Otam’ collaboration with Tuscany-based BG Design Firm.BG Design specialises in custom yacht design, from tenders to superyachts. The aggressive profile and refined detailing of the new Otam 70 HT are strongly inspired by luxury automotive and aeronautical design. The yacht is conceived as a high-performance output of design and engineering, combining Otam’ design DNA and ‘slippery’ new hull lines by Umberto Tagliavini Marine Design.From a practical standpoint, the vessel will feature a LOA of 21 metres and a beam of 5.35 metres, offering unlimited customisations within. Key features will comprise a transom tender garage, stabilisation system and Otam’s large volume engine room.Already sold to the final client and currently under construction, Otam 70 HT will make her international debut at the 2021 Cannes Yachting Festival.
December 3, 2019