Sailing Yacht Review | 2026

BY ALAN MCILROY

SO, 2025. WHAT CAN I SAY?

We always thought it would be a challenging year. That said, Berthon has been around for a long time, and sailors still have the sailing bug, so with this in common, we plan and prepare for the prevailing market conditions, just as our clients prepare for prevailing weather conditions, then drop the lines, and go. Each new year is a fresh beginning. Most people on the planet make New Year’s resolutions along the way, but fundamentally it’s business as usual. Change, of course, is always all around, with innovation, adaptation, and refinements that occur as markets evolve and sailors’ expectations shift, but the fundamentals remain.

In summarising 2025, I would say that brokerage yachts from good builders, well presented, and with strong provenance, have become more desirable than ever. Buyers are increasingly discerning. They have clear expectations and a strong understanding of what works for them. When the right yacht appears on the market, they are prepared to act decisively and pay a fair price for her. Conversely, yachts that are challenged by pricing, location, or condition struggle. The result is much longer time periods between initial marketing and sale, with numerous price adjustments to try to attract the market’s attention.

There are many factors determining the ongoing strength of the brokerage market, but the key driving force has been the sharp increase in new yacht prices, particularly among the quality segment. For many buyers, brokerage offers not only better value but also an appealing immediacy. You see a yacht you like, assess her condition and history, and then move forward to purchase without the need to wait whilst your new yacht takes shape at the shipyard. That reassurance and clarity resonates strongly with today’s buyers.

Berthon remains focused on the market we know and love; high-quality offshore and bluewater cruising yachts. There is a subtle shift within this sector towards enhanced performance assisted by modern design and construction techniques. Sailors want comfort, safety, and seaworthiness, but they also appreciate a yacht that sails well and rewards good handling. This inevitable evolution feels both natural and sensible.

We are a closely knit team, in constant touch, with offices in Palma de Mallorca, Orust in Sweden, and Newport, Rhode Island, coordinated through our HQ in Lymington. Observing the differences between our markets is fascinating, reflecting how sailors use their yachts in different parts of the planet. Regular online get-togethers of the Team strengthen our bonds, giving the opportunity to exchange insights, discuss trends, and share intelligence on our latest listings. We also like each other, which is one of our greatest strengths.

As ever in yachting, location matters – location, location, location! Our listings are located internationally, and while it is always convenient to have yachts located close to one of our offices, this is not always possible. Having been around for a long time, we are fortunate to have a trusted network of corresponding yards, contacts, and good brokers with whom we work. It is these relationships that enable us to support owners and buyers wherever the yacht that they own or would buy is based. Of course, we are also intimately familiar with Mr Easyjet and the rest, as we believe that knowing the yachts that we are selling is a key part of what we do.

BERTHON AND THE WORLD CRUISING CLUB (ARC)

Our relationship with the World Cruising Club dates back to the early 2000s, with our first Bluewater Weekend hosted at our UK HQ in 2008. Since then, WCC’s Rallies have gone from strength to strength, with new events introduced, and with these, participation has grown. Each year, significant numbers of yachts appearing on the ARC and ARC World entry lists have passed through Berthon’s hands at some stage of their ownership voyage.

Our Annual Bluewater Weekend remains a cornerstone event. There are a series of lectures, talks, and practical advice sessions covering all aspects of bluewater cruising, from preparation and safety to maintenance, routing, and life onboard. It is an invaluable resource for sailors planning offshore adventures. This year’s Bluewater Weekend is scheduled for Saturday 16th May.

OUR APPROACH

There are a selection of arrows in the Berthon quiver when it comes to the marketing and successful sale of brokerage yachts.

Behind-the-scenes support and marketing is coordinated through our Lymington HQ, which acts as the hub for the Berthon Team. Every set of sales particulars is prepared here, whether for Sweden, Palma, or Newport, which delivers consistency and quality across the whole Berthon fleet.

Administration of our online presence is also orchestrated from Lymington by Lawrence and Isabel, guaranteeing speed, accuracy, and clarity across all platforms.

While we continue to maintain a presence in traditional print media, it is fair to say that the world now lives largely online. An integral part of this shift is video. We are fortunate to have an in-house videographer and photographer, Harry ‘Camera’ Shutler, whose skills behind the camera, on the keyboard, and at the controls of a drone bring our listings to life. His video walkthroughs, hosted on our YouTube channel, allow potential buyers to engage with yachts in an immersive and informative way.

PEOPLE BUY FROM PEOPLE

Perhaps most importantly, people buy from people.

Longevity is a characteristic of the Berthon Team, with time spent working together measured not in years but in decades. This delivers a unique depth of experience across our Group. Each member of our team brings their expertise, judgement, and passion for what we do to the table. The familiarity and trust between us means that at any time we can pick up the phone to a colleague in another part of the world for advice or local insight.

That collective knowledge, combined with genuine relationships built over time, defines the Berthon approach and underpins everything we do.

The start of 2026 sees Sophie Kemp back at her desk following her second maternity leave. She has been aboard the Berthon bus since 2016, becoming our Sales Support Manager following the birth of her first child. We are delighted that, following the birth of baby number two, she is now back as a full-time Sailing Yacht Broker taking on Harry Lightfoot’s desk as he leaves us for pastures new. History repeats as she takes back the desk she handed to Harry when she left for her first maternity leave in 2022.

Sophie is based in our UK office and, when not there, can be found out on the Solent at the weekend with her family. Ben Hitchen is a new recruit in Lymington, joining the team to work on the Berthon Essential desk.

Ben Hitchen is a new recruit in Lymington, joining the team to work on the Berthon Essential desk.

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