Tier 1 — Lürssen and Feadship
At the absolute pinnacle of custom superyacht construction sit two yards that have maintained consistent quality over decades: Lürssen in Bremen and Feadship across its Aalsmeer and Kaag yards in the Netherlands. Both build fully custom vessels — no platforms, no series, no compromises to production efficiency. Both classify to Lloyd's Register or DNV GL standards. Both have delivered the largest and most technically complex private yachts ever built.
The distinction between them is one of culture and historical strength rather than quality. Lürssen is the benchmark for scale — the yard has delivered more vessels above 90 metres than any other builder, and its project management infrastructure at extreme size is unmatched. Feadship is the benchmark for engineering innovation — the BREATHE sustainability programme, Savannah's hybrid propulsion system (2015), and Aquila's hydrogen fuel cells (2023) represent a consistent investment in technology that no other yard has matched. For a detailed comparison of the two, see our Feadship vs Lürssen analysis.
Tier 2 — Heesen, Oceanco, Amels
Heesen (Oss, Netherlands) occupies a distinctive position — a yard that builds both fully custom vessels and an in-stock programme of steel hulls at various stages of completion. The in-stock approach allows buyers with urgent timelines to take delivery of a 50–70 metre Heesen in 18–24 months rather than 4 years. Heesen's engineering quality is high; its resale performance is among the strongest in the market. The Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) — Heesen's proprietary hull technology — delivers exceptional range and fuel efficiency at the 50–70 metre scale.
Oceanco (Alblasserdam, Netherlands) operates at the upper end of the custom market — primarily vessels above 80 metres — with a reputation for the most technically ambitious projects. Black Pearl (2018), the largest sailing yacht in the world at time of delivery, is an Oceanco. The yard attracts clients with the most demanding technical briefs and the willingness to commission genuinely unprecedented vessels.
Amels (Vlissingen, Netherlands, part of Damen Yachting) is best known for its Limited Editions semi-custom range — the 180, 188, 212, and 242 platforms that have defined the semi-custom category for two decades. Amels Limited Editions yachts are consistently well-maintained, well-documented, and among the most liquid assets in the brokerage market at their size.
Italian yards — Benetti, Sanlorenzo, CRN
Benetti (Viareggio) is the world's largest superyacht builder by volume, with over 350 vessels delivered. The yard operates across custom, semi-custom (B.Now, B.Yond), and composite construction. Benetti's strength is at the 35–65 metre range; its engineering documentation standards have improved significantly over the past decade. For buyers seeking an Italian aesthetic at competitive prices, Benetti is the natural starting point.
Sanlorenzo (La Spezia) has elevated its positioning dramatically since the mid-2010s, moving from a volume production builder to a genuine custom and semi-custom yard at the 40–70 metre range. The SL and SP series have strong resale performance. Sanlorenzo's collaboration with top-tier designers — Zuccon International Project, Studio Zen, Piero Lissoni — has produced some of the most design-forward Italian yachts of the past decade.
CRN (Ancona, part of Ferretti Group) builds fully custom steel and aluminium vessels from 40 to 80+ metres. CRN occupies the Italian custom segment that Benetti's volume model cannot serve — owners who want genuine bespoke work within an Italian yard environment. CRN's engineering quality is consistently strong; its brand recognition in the international brokerage market lags the Dutch and German yards.
Semi-custom platforms
Beyond Amels, the semi-custom segment has developed significantly. Heesen's in-stock programme offers the highest engineering quality in the semi-custom category. Benetti's B.Now provides Italian design within a defined platform. Sanlorenzo's SL and SP series offer strong design credentials at competitive prices. For a full analysis of the custom vs semi-custom decision, see our custom vs semi-custom guide.
Resale value by builder
Broker consensus on resale value by builder tier, based on days-on-market and price-to-ask ratios in the current market:
| Builder | Resale value | Liquidity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lürssen | ★★★★★ | High | Strongest brand at 70m+ |
| Feadship | ★★★★★ | High | Best engineering documentation |
| Heesen | ★★★★☆ | High | FDHF hulls particularly sought |
| Oceanco | ★★★★☆ | Medium | Thin buyer pool at 80m+ |
| Amels LE | ★★★★☆ | High | Most liquid semi-custom |
| Sanlorenzo | ★★★☆☆ | Medium | Improving rapidly |
| Benetti | ★★★☆☆ | Medium | Volume affects premium positioning |
| CRN | ★★★☆☆ | Medium | Lower international brand recognition |
For pricing context behind these ratings, see our pricing signals page. For editorial profiles of the top yards, see the full shipyards directory. Boat International's builder profiles provide extended coverage of all major yards.