Millennial superyacht owners are on the rise, reports Business Insider. They have already caused a shift in most industries, and the world of yachting is not an exception. In order to cater the younger generation needs, yacht brokers will have to adapt to their preferences and lifestyle, while those who stick to the traditional ways of yachting will be inevitably left behind.
Image courtesy: Kuznetcov_Konstantin/Shutterstock via Business Insider
#1. The yacht owners will get 10-15 years younger in the next 20 years.
Of the top 100 billionaires worldwide, 20% are below age 50, while superyacht owners are 10 to 15 years younger compared to 20 years ago, according to a new research by shipyard Rossinavi and the International University of Monaco. Furthermore, they are expected to get even younger — within the next 20 years, the median age of superyacht owners will decrease from the 45 to 55 range to the 35 to 45 range, according to Business Insider.
#2. The mindset is changing, with the trend towards chartering over ownership.
This new group of superyacht owners views yachting as "an occasional pastime rather than an enduring passion," according to the Monaco Yacht Show media packet. Still developing their business interests, self-made millennials consider a yacht as only one component of their fast-moving lifestyle.
Instead of materialistic attributes of luxury lifestyle, millennial superyacht owners prioritise adventure, water sports and exterior space. For them, life experiences take priority over material possessions.
For Millennials, travel is no longer a planned venture to be prepared and booked well in advance. The younger crowd prefers the freedom of chartering as it allows them to jump from one yacht in Monaco to another in Santorini without being tied to a physical boat. It is definitely a different concept from the traditional two-week summer cruise.
Erwin Bamps, CEO of Emirates-based shipyard Gulf Craft expresses his opinion as follows:
We are going to see a time when the traditional idea of yacht ownership starts to follow the same path as car sharing services; more convenient than a traditional taxi, and a real alternative to owning a car. The same principle will easily apply to luxury yachts. Imagine a global, technology-driven service that delivers the yacht you want, at the location you want, at the time you want, and can arrange a private jet to fly you there.
#3. The Millennials' different preferences may change yachting in terms of design and selling tactics.
The way people consume superyachts has changed, also reflecting in yacht design. According to the MYS packet, formal dining rooms and salons will be less evident as yacht designers turn to gyms, spa, water sports and spaces that enable open-air socialising to accommodate millennials' desires.
And those who custom order superyachts are no longer requesting offices on-board, according to Business Insider. They prefer to be able to relax during their yachting cruises instead.
With this upcoming wave of superyacht owners preferring to charter, yachting companies will likely have to shift their tactics of yachts selling. Most likely, they will need to make contacts with potential buyers through social media for a more immediate, personal form of communication.
However, in general, all the changes should be understood as an evolution rather than a drastic change. The MYS packet stated:
According to the study, millennials are going to do things differently and the product will have to be re-packaged, but the yachts will not change that much and the ownership concept will not go away anytime soon. They will want their own product like the rest of us. Things change, but human nature stays the same.
Mengi Yay has released interior renderings for its inaugural 52.6-meter NL 50 Plus model, currently under construction in Istanbul with scheduled 2026 delivery. The superyacht, designed in collaboration with Italian studio Nuvolari Lenard, features naval architecture by Dutch firm Van Oossanen.The interior scheme employs a warm palette with minimalist lines and premium wood finishes. The layout includes a 50-square-meter owner's suite featuring a sliding balcony, private office, and spa bathroom. Guest accommodation consists of four VIP cabins on the lower deck, with additional crew quarters for eight staff members.Notable exterior features include an expansive sundeck with heated spa pool and fire pit, along with a beach club incorporating a drop-down platform and integrated swimming pool. The foredeck serves dual purposes as both open-air cinema and storage for a 7-meter tender."We've gained valuable expertise through collaboration with Mengi Yay and Camper & Nicholsons," said Carlo Nuvolari of Nuvolari Lenard. The designer highlighted the owner's balcony mechanism which automatically deploys safety rails when extended.Mengi Yay CEO Hüseyin Mengi noted the Italian design partnership has elevated the yard's product quality. Camper & Nicholsons is handling project coordination and sales representation.The yacht's efficient hull design aims to optimize fuel consumption for extended cruising. Construction continues at Mengi Yay's Istanbul facility.Mengi Yay Yachts was founded in 1964 in Turkey. Now the company owns one of the largest (19,365 sq m) yards that were specifically designed for the refit and refurbishment of existing craft as well as the manufacturing of the new motor and sailing yachts. Credits: Mengi Yay Yachts
May 23, 2025
StellarPM has introduced the ST88, an 26.8m raised pilothouse motoryacht as the newest addition to its StellarONE Series. The steel/aluminum vessel offers a 2,800-nautical-mile range at 10-knot cruising speeds, with twin Caterpillar C18 ACERT 615hp engines meeting IMO Tier III emissions standards.The ST88 features an AH36 carbon steel hull with aluminum superstructure built at StellarPM's Hai Phong shipyard, while pre-engineered interior modules are fabricated at the company's Zhuhai facility. Naval architecture comes from Ginton Naval Architects, with interiors by Unzile Acar. Lloyd's Register certification includes +100A1 SSC, Yacht, Mono, G6 classification."ST88 embodies our focus on engineering integrity and customizable luxury," said Chris Holmes, StellarPM Principal. The yacht is offered in two configurations: a full-displacement version with 14-knot top speed, and a semi-displacement aluminum variant featuring twin 1,800hp C32 engines capable of 22 knots with 2,200nm range. The performance version adds a one-meter hull extension.Designed for owner-operation or crewed service, the ST88 emphasizes system redundancy and global serviceability. The Vietnam-based builder targets experienced owners seeking transoceanic capability, though pricing and delivery timelines remain undisclosed. The model joins StellarPM's growing explorer yacht portfolio focused on long-range cruising.StellarPM is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company offers the expertise of the yachting industry, from design, drafting and time management, to the coordination of refits and new builds.Credits: StellarPM
May 23, 2025
Italian shipbuilder AB Yachts has delivered the inaugural 39.7-meter AB 130 model, named Effe, to its owners. The high-performance motoryacht reaches speeds exceeding 40 knots through waterjet propulsion while maintaining a shallow 1.3-meter draft.Effe's design incorporates an innovative expandable beach club with twin stern wings that create a 100+ square meter seaside terrace when deployed. The main saloon spans 50 square meters with floor-to-ceiling windows providing panoramic views. A convertible swimming pool transitions between covered and uncovered configurations on demand.Storage capacity includes a floodable garage housing a 4.6-meter tender, two jet skis, Seabobs, and inflatable water toys. The yacht offers a 450-nautical-mile range when cruising at 35 knots.The owners, described as experienced yachtsmen, customized the interior layout to their specifications. This delivery follows AB Yachts' AB 125 series, continuing the Viareggio-based builder's focus on high-speed motoryachts between 30-50 meters in length.No price or construction duration was disclosed for this first AB 130 unit. The shipyard currently has additional AB 130 models in production at its Italian facility. The design emphasizes outdoor living spaces while maintaining the brand's signature performance characteristics.Italian shipyard AB Yachts was founded in 1992. In 2001, AB Yachts was acquired by the Fipa Group. Today Next Yacht Group is the owner of the historic Maiora, AB Yachts, and CBI Navi brands. AB Yachts range consists of semi-displacement yachts from 17.70 to 42 meters.Credits: AB Yachts
May 23, 2025
Florida-based MarineMax broker James Corts has facilitated the sale of a new Ocean Alexander 35R to longtime clients, marking their fourth yacht purchase through Corts in two years. The experienced owners, previously operating vessels between 60-88 feet, took delivery of the 35-foot model for private cruising in Florida waters.The buyers selected the 35R for its enclosed skylounge configuration, climate-controlled upper deck, and crew accommodation layout. "The 35R checked all their boxes with its refined design and comfortable living spaces," said Corts, who has represented Ocean Alexander at MarineMax Naples since 2021.Ocean Alexander's Head of Global Operations Dan Mundy acknowledged Corts' role in the transaction: "His continued success reflects deep industry knowledge and dedication to clients." The manufacturer did not disclose the sale price or delivery timeline for the semi-custom motor yacht.The 35R model features a three-stateroom layout with crew quarters, joining Ocean Alexander's Revolution series targeting owners downsizing from larger vessels. MarineMax remains the exclusive Ocean Alexander dealer for Florida's southwest coast, with Corts having closed multiple seven-figure transactions for the brand in 2024.This sale continues a trend of experienced owners transitioning to smaller, more manageable yachts with premium amenities. Ocean Alexander reports strong demand for its 27-42 foot models in the Florida market, particularly from repeat customers. The new owners plan to use the vessel exclusively for private family cruising.With a rich heritage spanning over 45 years, Ocean Alexander stands at theforefront of the yachting industry. Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, innovative design, and dedication to luxury, Ocean Alexander continues to redefine the standards of luxury yachting, offering vessels that are both performance-oriented and comfortable.Credits: Ocean Alexander
May 22, 2025
Columbus Yachts has launched its new 42-meter Crossover model, M/Y Big Naan, at its Savona shipyard in Italy. The steel-hulled explorer with aluminum superstructure was built for an American owner, with construction supervised by owner's representative Trevor van Wyk and brokerage handled by Zarpo Yachts.Designed by Hydro Tec with interiors by Hot Lab, the Crossover 42 features explorer-style exterior lines with a bulbous bow and distinctive angular superstructure. The yacht accommodates 11 guests across four lower deck cabins and a full-beam master suite on the main deck featuring a central bed, walk-in wardrobe, office area and bathroom with separate shower compartment. Crew quarters provide for nine staff members.The aft deck combines leisure and functional spaces with a 17-square-meter swimming pool and tender storage served by a built-in crane. A beach club on the lower deck incorporates a hydraulic door and receives natural light through side windows and a glass-bottom pool. The yacht is powered by twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines delivering a maximum speed of 14 knots and transatlantic range exceeding 5,500 nautical miles at 10 knots.Columbus Yachts currently has four additional vessels under construction at Savona, including a Crossover 47 scheduled for 2027 delivery and two ISA Gran Turismo 45 Alloy hulls that will be completed at the company's Ancona facility. The shipyard did not disclose the build time or price for Big Naan, which will undergo sea trials before delivery to its owner.The Crossover 42 model represents Columbus Yachts' approach to compact explorer vessels, combining long-range capabilities with leisure amenities typically found on larger superyachts. The launch follows the 2023 delivery of the first Crossover 42, M/Y Dragon, and expands the Palumbo Group subsidiary's portfolio of explorer-style vessels.Technical features include two watermakers producing 8.6 cubic meters daily, 60 cubic meters of fuel capacity, and dual stabilizer systems for both underway and at-anchor use. The yacht's interior design emphasizes natural materials and functional spaces suited for extended cruising.Columbus Yachts was established in 2008. In early 2019, the shipyard launched the new flagship Columbus Classic 80m M/Y Dragon, which joins in the Columbus star-studded fleet with the award-winning Sport Hybrid 40 Divine, the 57m M/Y Taiba and the 40m M/Y Eleonora III. The Columbus range offers four different lines: Sport, Classic, Crossover and Custom for unique projects. Currently, Palumbo Superyachts comprises a representative office in Monaco and a logistics network of five shipyards in the Mediterranean (Ancona, Malta, Marseille, Naples and Savona), operating under just as many world-renowned brand names: ISA Yachts, Columbus Yachts, Mondomarine, Extra Yachts and Palumbo SY Refit.Credits: Columbus Yachts
May 22, 2025