Back from Palma International Boat Show 2026

“The dream is more alive when the boats are on the water and the sun is out.”

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Brokerage, Solaris Yachts, Market Confidence and Conversations on the Dock

There is always a particular feeling to Palma. Partly it is the setting itself. The cathedral towering above the marina, warm evenings on the Paseo Marítimo, and the unmistakable sense that the Mediterranean yachting season is beginning again. But beyond the atmosphere, the Palma International Boat Show has become one of the most important moments in the yachting calendar. It’s where owners, brokers, shipyards, captains and buyers all begin to take the temperature of the market for the season ahead.

Fresh back from Palma International Boat Show 2026, Berthon’s latest podcast sees Tim Carbury and Alan McIlroy sit down to discuss the show, the boats, and what they observed across both brokerage and new yacht sales throughout the week.
As Alan puts it during the episode:

“The dream is more alive when the boats are on the water and the sun is out.”

And that perhaps explains why Palma still matters so much.

Berthon in Palma

Palma de Mallorca remains Berthon’s home in the Mediterranean. Alongside our Berthon Spain sales office on the Paseo Marítimo, we also operate a large refit and service facility, supporting both brokerage and operational clients throughout the region.

This year’s show also marked an important development for Berthon, following our appointment at the start of 2026 as official Solaris Yachts representatives for the Balearic Islands.

Across the show, Berthon had one of its strongest presences to date, showcasing five yachts between brokerage and new yacht sales.

Brokerage Yachts at PIBS 2026

In the Superyacht Village, Berthon presented a diverse and striking range of brokerage yachts.

HH66, NO CODE

One of the standout yachts at the show, HH66, NO CODE attracted strong interest throughout the week. Her aggressive styling, full carbon construction and performance credentials immediately drew attention on the dock. As Tim noted in the podcast, many visitors were surprised by just how comfortable and usable the yacht felt once aboard.

“There was definitely a reaction of ‘wow, this is a serious machine,” he explains during the episode. “But once people stepped aboard, they realised she could absolutely work as a family cruising yacht as well.”

NO CODE Yacht Particulars:
https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/hh-catamarans-hh66-no-code/

Spirit 76, NAZGUL OF FORDELL

If NO CODE represented modern performance, then NAZGUL OF FORDELL represented timeless elegance. The Spirit 76 turned heads continuously throughout the week and reinforced the continuing appetite for beautifully built modern-classic sailing yachts.

Recently refitted and immaculately presented, she became one of the most photographed yachts in the show.

Sales Video:

Alan reflects that the market for these yachts remains surprisingly strong – “There’s still a strong appetite for all things classic.”

NAZGUL Yacht Particulars:
https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/spirit-76-nazgul-of-fordell/

Nautor Swan 77, INVICTUS

The Swan 77 INVICTUS completed the brokerage line-up, showcasing the kind of high-quality bluewater cruising yacht that continues to perform strongly in the current market.

Sales Video:

Extensively upgraded, beautifully maintained and highly specified, she reflected one of the recurring themes discussed throughout the podcast: buyers remain highly focused on quality and presentation.

INVICTUS Yacht Particulars:
https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/nautor-swan-77-invictus/

Solaris Yachts in Palma

Away from the brokerage displays, Berthon was also showcasing the Solaris 50 and Solaris 64 RS as part of our growing Solaris representation in the Balearics.

The Solaris stand generated encouraging interest throughout the show, particularly from owners looking for performance cruising yachts capable of combining comfort, sailing ability and manageable ownership.

Solaris 50

Solaris 64 RS

Alan explains during the podcast that while overall footfall may have felt lighter this year, many of the Solaris enquiries were highly targeted and serious. “We were going through specifications and discussing very individual owner requirements,” he says. “That’s always a good sign.”

Did Palma Feel Different This Year?

One of the more interesting parts of the conversation revolves around the atmosphere of the show itself. Both Tim and Alan agreed that the general footfall felt lighter than previous years, particularly when compared with the post-Covid surge seen across many international boat shows. However, both also emphasised that lower visitor numbers do not necessarily mean weaker business.

“What we as an industry use Palma for really is to show other brokers the boats,” Alan explains. “It’s hugely valuable from a networking and brokerage perspective.”

That remains one of Palma’s greatest strengths. The show is not simply about public crowds; it is where relationships are maintained, yachts are introduced to the wider brokerage community, and future sales conversations begin.

The Market Mood

The wider mood discussed throughout the podcast was cautiously positive. Enquiry levels remain inconsistent week to week, but both Tim and Alan noted that the quality of enquiries appears to be improving again after a slower start to the year. The brokerage market, particularly for quality yachts, continues to show resilience.

As discussed during the episode, buyers may be more selective than they were during the extraordinary post-pandemic years, but good yachts still generate interest when correctly priced and properly presented.

Looking Ahead

For Berthon, Palma 2026 was ultimately a successful and encouraging week. Operationally, the show ran smoothly. The yachts looked superb, the Solaris partnership was launched successfully in the Balearics, and a large amount of valuable content, photography and video was captured across the week.

Most importantly, the conversations that began on the docks in Palma continue well after the show closes. And that, perhaps more than anything else, is why Palma still matters.

About Tim Carbury | About Alan McIlroy | Meet the Berthon Sales Group