Performance Yacht Review | 2025

By Ben Cooper

AI Artificial Intelligence – I am convinced about the first but maybe not the second. Intelligence according to my hometown’s bible represents a faculty of understanding, from an organ rather than a circuit board. Ironically the AI App also defines a cognitive process. It was very tempting to ask the AI bot to write this for me, and indeed I did, for research purposes of course you understand. It didn’t get very far through the marketing team…

This is also very reassuring, that in spite of the world of zeros and ones, experience and knowledge by far trumps the quick fix of anodyne vomit produced by a bot.

I consider myself fortunate to be a part of a very experienced team at Berthon, who all have their own specialities, as far as product knowledge is concerned, and we are knitted together by our communal experience of international conveyancing, registering and yacht ownership schemes. This black box in front of me certainly is very useful, but it is very noticeable that when presented with a puzzle, the solution is found almost immediately amongst colleagues within reach of a swinging cat.

I digress, and apologies, the brief was to discuss last year’s market, and current thoughts and indicators for this year.

I am quite heavily involved with the truly wonderful Pegasus Yachts; the brand that have started relatively recently, with the award winning 50 footer, a true performance bluewater cruising yacht (I think that they have created the niche) from the DNA of the Shipman brand. Carbon build, and 20 – 50% lighter than her peers with a wonderful open plan living feel and protected cockpit. The new big sister is really coming together and will be a game changer in my mind, for a long distance shorthanded flyer. Please do keep in touch for the full griff.

In terms of new yacht sales, it’s no secret that the market has been tough for the past year for many political and economic reasons, but I am pleased to say that Pegasus have a full order book for this year, and nearly into the next, and thanks to a positive reception by the world’s media, is looking to continue into the future, which is almost unheard of by a relatively small and young start up. So, they must be doing something right.

The world of yacht racing continues to grow from the depression of Covid, the Americas Cup produced some of the most exciting battles in terms of technology and media coverage, and Sail GP is doing just very well to mop up the enthusiasm coming from that, into a bite size format for the crowds. How much of this is trickle down is yet to be seen, but I do think that some interesting technological outputs will find their way into the general sailing world. Foiling in recreational sailing maybe not, but automated sail controls, forward looking wind radar and so on, are really quite possible with the right investment.

Foiling though does have its place and Artemis – sadly missing in this AC, are doing a very good job converting previous technology into commercial foiling craft, reducing emissions and increasing comfort.

2025 will see some major celebrations on the domestic stage.

Firstly the 250th anniversary celebrations of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, which is building to be an iconic regatta in June; the introduction of the Cowes waterfront clubhouse is a truly exciting one and I am very proud to be a member!

Secondly the reintroduction of the Admirals Cup has brought some big teams to play, some new boats to be built and a step towards a truly successful event. Kudos to the RORC team for jumping on this and I am really looking forward to seeing this develop in the future.

Thirdly of course, the 100 year anniversary of the Fastnet Race. Such an iconic race, I am fortunate to have competed in 7 of them, and of being part of the winning crew in 2003. Finishing in France was controversial, but the entente cordiale remains strong, and the ability to increase the fleet is not to be passed away. Again, I see record numbers of entries within minutes of the website opening.

One Design racing continues to flourish, and a growing band of sailors are hopping across the pond in the winter to the sunny waters of Miami where the revolving door of sportsboats and small keelboats continues to spin. Sailing in shorts and t-shirts for a weekend hop is truly wonderful and keeps the knife sharp for the start of the domestic season.

The world continues to spin and surprise both politically and economically, but the initial indications are that the markets have truly woken up in terms of brokerage; enquiry rate is up, summer is coming and boats are moving quickly, if they are in good condition, well looked after and properly maintained.

We have moved away from the Sellers’ market in Covid, and we are seeing a much more equitable marketplace. Our new client to old ratio is swinging well in favour of old, which is very comforting and encouraging, as the new buzzword in the market is relationships. We are one of the most established brokerage houses in the world, and continue to be, despite what this flashing screen and its army of robots says.

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