Asking price vs sale price
In the superyacht market, asking prices are published. Sale prices almost never are. This asymmetry — visible supply, invisible demand — is by design: sellers benefit from opacity, buyers suffer from it. The broker community has access to comparable sale data through professional networks and the SoldBoats database; buyers without a specialist broker do not.
The practical range: in a normal market, superyachts sell at 5–15% below asking price. In the current buyer's market (2025–2026), discounts of 15–25% on older or less well-maintained vessels are not unusual. Vessels from top-tier builders (Lürssen, Feadship, Heesen) in genuinely excellent condition continue to sell closer to asking — the demand premium for well-built, well-maintained vessels persists even in a softer market. The discount available is a function of days-on-market, survey findings, the seller's urgency, and how accurately the asking price reflects current comparable sales.
Pricing by builder
Builder brand commands a measurable premium in the brokerage market. As a general framework:
| Builder tier | Premium vs market avg | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Lürssen, Feadship | +15–25% | Stable |
| Heesen, Oceanco | +10–18% | Stable |
| Amels LE, Sanlorenzo | +5–12% | Improving |
| Benetti, CRN | Market rate | Stable |
| Turkish yards (Bilgin, Turquoise) | -5–10% | Improving |
These premiums reflect buyer demand and survey confidence — well-built vessels from documented yards survey better, which reduces the risk premium a buyer applies to an unknown quantity. For the full builder quality context, see our builder comparison page.
Pricing by size category
| Size | Brokerage range (2026) | Buyer pool | Liquidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30–40m | €1.5–8M | Large | High |
| 40–55m | €5–25M | Large | High |
| 55–70m | €15–55M | Medium | Medium |
| 70–90m | €40–120M | Small | Medium |
| 90m+ | €80M+ | Very small | Low |
The 50–70 metre range has historically shown the best combination of value retention and liquidity — large enough for genuine blue-water capability and comfortable extended cruising, small enough to access most major marinas, and with a buyer pool deep enough to support reasonable transaction velocity.
What drives value
Builder: As above — the single most durable value signal. A Feadship will consistently outperform an equivalent vessel from a lesser yard at every stage of its life.
Refit history: A comprehensive refit within 3–5 years — covering interior, mechanical systems, and paintwork — supports a 10–20% premium over an equivalent unrefitted example. Major mechanical refits (engines, generators, stabilisers) are valued more highly than cosmetic work by experienced buyers.
Classification status: A vessel with a clean, current Lloyd's or DNV GL class record commands a premium over one with lapsed or conditional class. Classification gaps are the single most common survey finding that compresses final price below asking.
Days on market: Vessels listed for more than 12–18 months become stigmatised. Buyers assume a structural issue or an unrealistic seller. In practice, long-listed vessels often offer the best value for buyers who conduct thorough surveys.
Flag state: Cayman Islands and Marshall Islands registration are preferred by most buyers for their regulatory frameworks and commercial familiarity. Flag state issues — particularly lapsed registration or outstanding flag state deficiencies — create uncertainty that depresses price.
Market conditions 2026
The 2025–2026 brokerage market represents a meaningful correction from the pandemic-era demand spike of 2021–2022, when inventory was at historic lows and time-on-market was measured in days rather than months. The current market has more inventory, longer days-on-market, and genuine negotiating room — particularly at the upper end (80 metres+) where the buyer pool is structurally thin and the carrying cost of ownership creates seller pressure.
For buyers, the current environment is the most favourable in a decade for the top tier of the market. For sellers of well-maintained, well-documented vessels from top-tier builders, demand remains solid — the value premium for quality has not collapsed. The gap has widened between the best and the rest. Boat International's annual market report provides the most comprehensive public data on transaction volumes and pricing trends. The MYBA framework governs all reputable transactions. For listings in the current market, see our yachts for sale page.