Sailing Yacht Review | 2025

By Alan McIlroy & Harry Lightfoot

Twenty twenty four (2024) was another great year for the brokerage sailing yacht market. The sailing community is passionate about yachting, particularly those participating in long-distance bluewater sailing. Whilst general enquiries have decreased marginally, the quality and specificity of those enquiries have noticeably increased, indicating a more focused interest in particular yachts. Residual values in the offshore and bluewater market have remained strong, buoyed by fewer listings and a sustained demand for high-quality second-hand yachts. While the post- COVID market boom has settled, brokerage values continue to hold steady, with certain segments, especially younger brokerage yachts, faring exceptionally well.

We specialise in the higher-quality sector of the market and we know this market intimately. The demand for offshore and bluewater yachts is proving to be far more than just a trend; it is a passion for long-distance sailing that persists across global markets. Our knowledge of this segment of the market is encyclopaedic with much of the bluewater sailing fleet passing through our hands multiple times.

One of the standout features of 2024 was the increasingly sophisticated expectations of both sellers and buyers, particularly in terms of the brokerage presentation of brokerage yachts. The desire for detailed, accurate listings has grown, and this means that we work hard with the Berthon marketing team to consistently upgrade the quality of the sales material that we provide. Everything from the simplest ‘For Sale’ sign to comprehensive video walkthroughs is covered, ensuring that each yacht’s features and qualities are highlighted and that accurate granular information is provided.

Berthon’s marketing is handled by a professional team who prepare detailed yacht particulars, posts listings to various websites and social media platforms, and produce high quality videos. Video content has become an indispensable tool for presenting yachts, and the feedback we receive shows its growing importance. Our YouTube channel has over 23,000 subscribers! A ten minute walk through video can attract several thousand views within days, allowing prospective buyers to form a connection with a yacht before ever stepping aboard. This early rapport also enhances the in-person experience when buyers meet us.

In-house photographer, Harry, plays a pivotal role in bringing the yachts we sell to life. He captures yachts at their best through professional photo shoots and videos, as well as providing accurate imagery and video of our yachts for buyers to thoroughly review before inspection.

As an international brokerage team, our strength lies in the close working relationships (friendships really) that we have with the offices in Spain, Sweden, Italy and the USA. This familiarity and camaraderie delivers a solid foundation for efficient problem-solving and collaboration across oceans. Whether it be navigating local regulations, addressing bureaucratic hurdles, or seeking advice on a specific market, our team of international ‘local fixers’ are only a message away.

We all love Microsoft Teams which we find a great medium for keeping the whole Team together. We have fortnightly international meetings keeping everyone in the loop and to share insights into each region’s prevailing market conditions and challenges. This global connectivity means that we can offer the best advice and resource to our clients whether buying of selling, be they in Europe, the Americas, or beyond. Of course, it also gives us the chance to chat about the yachts – which is a bonus for a bunch of yacht mad yacht brokers!

As 2024 progressed, trends emerged that highlighted shifting buyer preferences. One of the most notable changes was the increasing demand for yachts that are ready to sail, with fewer buyers interested in undertaking a significant refit after purchase. This trend underscores the importance of maintaining and updating yachts before they hit the market, so that they can achieve market value within a reasonable timespan.

A broad range of brokerage yachts passed through our hands in 2024, from classic bluewater cruising yachts to more modern, performance-oriented vessels. Nordic brands, in particular remained popular. Yachts from the island of Orust – Hallberg-Rassy, Sweden Yachts, and Najad Yachts are hot in this market and our Berthon Scandinavia office in Henån is but a hop and a skip from the yards where these extraordinary yachts are and were built.

Discovery 55 BLUE HARMONY

In the UK we sold a variety of sailing yachts. Southerly Yachts, a well-regarded brand in the bluewater market, has continued to perform well in the brokerage market, with strong residual values. We have also seen a number of more mature bluewater yachts find new owners, including a re-fitted Swan 44, a Nordia 45, and a Bowman 48. These sales exemplify the enduring appeal of well-maintained, quality cruising yachts that offer the potential for long-distance voyages.

Discovery Yachts remain a key player in our portfolio, with several Discovery 55s and 58s sold this year. These yachts continue to be the go to solution for buyers looking for quality craftsmanship and performance for extended offshore voyages. Having been involved in the sales of Discovery yachts virtually since Discovery started to build, no one knows them better than us.

Now that we are hurtling through 2025, the whole Berthon team is excited about the opportunities and challenges this year will bring. The continued focus on high-quality, well-presented yachts will be a cornerstone of our offering. We work in the market every day so we are able to identify evolving trends and respond to the changing needs of our clients, both in terms of technology and yacht preference. This is the case across all our offices.

With strong collaboration amongst our team, sophisticated marketing, and a passion for what we do, we look forward to the balance of this year and to helping our clients dive into all the pleasures that sailing yachts deliver whether the plan is coastal, offshore or serious bluewater sailing.

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