The sailing superyacht market
Sailing superyachts represent less than 10% of the global fleet above 30 metres, and an even smaller share of the brokerage market. This scarcity is both a challenge and an advantage for buyers: the inventory is limited, but the vessels that do come to market are often genuinely exceptional — built by specialist yards with engineering standards that rival or exceed the best motor yacht builders.
The market divides into two categories. Performance sailing yachts — built by yards like Vitters, Baltic, and Southern Wind — prioritise speed, handling, and racing capability alongside cruising comfort. These are vessels designed to compete in superyacht regattas and cross oceans at pace. Cruising sailing yachts — primarily Perini Navi and Royal Huisman — prioritise comfort, space, and ease of handling, with automated sail systems that make 50-metre sailing yachts practical for a small crew.
Key sailing yacht builders
Perini Navi (Italy)
The volume leader in large sailing yachts, with over 60 vessels delivered between 38 and 90 metres. Perini Navi's automated captive-winch systems revolutionised the market by making large sailing yachts crewable with the same headcount as a motor yacht. The 56-metre ketch class is the most commonly traded sailing superyacht on the brokerage market. See our Perini Navi for sale page for current inventory.
Royal Huisman (Netherlands)
The Dutch benchmark for bespoke sailing yachts. Royal Huisman builds fully custom aluminium vessels from 30 to 80 metres, with an engineering precision comparable to Feadship on the motor yacht side. Notable deliveries include Athena (90m, 2004), Sea Eagle II (81m, 2020), and Aquarius (56m, 2018). Brokerage pricing starts at approximately €8 million for older vessels; recent builds exceed €40 million.
Vitters (Netherlands)
A specialist Dutch yard focused on high-performance custom sailing yachts. Vitters has delivered notable vessels including Unfurled (46m), Hetairos (67m), and Ganesha (46m). The yard's strength is in combining carbon-fibre mast technology with aluminium hull construction for vessels that are both fast and beautiful.
Baltic Yachts (Finland)
Finland's leading sailing yacht builder, known for carbon and composite construction that produces some of the lightest and fastest sailing superyachts afloat. The Pink Gin VI (52m, Baltic 175) and Canova (32m) are standout recent deliveries. Baltic yachts trade well on the brokerage market, with recent builds commanding premiums for their performance credentials.
Pricing guide for sailing superyachts
| Segment | Size range | Typical asking price |
|---|---|---|
| Production / semi-custom (older) | 30–40m | €2M–€8M |
| Perini Navi ketch (56m class) | 50–58m | €8M–€18M |
| Custom performance (Vitters, Baltic) | 35–52m | €6M–€22M |
| Royal Huisman bespoke | 40–60m | €12M–€40M |
| Mega sailing yacht (70m+) | 70–106m | €25M–€80M+ |
Why buy a sailing superyacht?
The case for a sailing superyacht is both practical and emotional. Practically, sailing yachts consume dramatically less fuel, operate more quietly, and access anchorages that deeper-draught motor yachts cannot. The annual running cost saving of 15–25% compared to a motor yacht of equivalent size is significant over a typical ownership period.
Emotionally, sailing is a fundamentally different way to experience the sea. The silence under sail, the connection to wind and weather, the satisfaction of a well-executed passage — these are experiences that no motor yacht, however luxurious, can replicate. For owners who value the journey as much as the destination, a sailing superyacht is the logical choice.
For the full brokerage inventory across all yacht types, see our yachts for sale hub. For the motor yacht alternative, see motor yachts for sale. For charter before buying, see our charter hub.