Luxury yachts have traditionally been viewed as the ultimate lifestyle purchase being beautiful, exclusive, and destined to depreciate like expensive cars.

However, a growing number of yacht owners are discovering that certain vessels can function as legitimate investment assets, holding or even increasing their value over time much like fine art or vintage wines.

The key lies in understanding which yachts appreciate and why, turning what was once considered pure consumption into a sophisticated asset allocation strategy that combines lifestyle enjoyment with wealth preservation.

The Yacht Resale Market in 2025

The superyacht resale market is showing mixed signals that reveal important investment patterns.

Denisonyachtsales.com data shows that Q2 2025 saw 144 superyachts over 78 feet sold, up from 134 in Q2 2024, with total sales value reaching approximately $1.41 billion, a 9.6% year-over-year increase.

This growth in both volume and value suggests sustained demand despite broader economic uncertainties.

More telling is the pricing trend data. The average sale price exceeded $11.7 million in Q2 2025, compared to roughly $11 million in Q2 2024, indicating that quality vessels are maintaining or improving their market position.

However, denisonyachtsales.com also reports that yachts required an average of $1.2 million price reductions off original asking prices, with final sales averaging 12.1% below initial listings. This pattern suggests sellers often start with optimistic pricing but ultimately achieve fair market values.

The demand side presents an interesting contradiction. Galati Yachts reports that consumer activity, according to website traffic and saved listings, increased 18% over the past 90 days, even as transaction completion slowed.

Buyers are taking more time and conducting more research before purchasing, engaging across multiple sessions rather than making quick decisions. This behavior indicates serious buyer interest rather than casual browsing, which bodes well for long-term market stability.

Why Some Yachts Hold Their Value Over Time

Scarcity drives much of the value retention in luxury yachts, particularly for limited-edition models or vessels from prestigious builders with long waiting lists. When a shipyard like Feadship produces only a handful of vessels annually, each yacht enters a market where supply constraints naturally support pricing.

This scarcity factor becomes more pronounced as yachts age and some are lost to accidents or poor maintenance, further reducing available inventory.

Shipyard reputation functions as a critical value driver that operates similarly to brand recognition in other luxury markets. Established builders like Benetti, Sunseeker, and classic sailing yacht manufacturers have decades of proven craftsmanship that creates buyer confidence in both initial quality and long-term durability.

Buyers understand that vessels from these builders are more likely to maintain their structural integrity and aesthetic appeal over time, supporting resale values.

Performance characteristics and build quality separate investment-grade yachts from depreciating assets. Vessels with proven seaworthiness, efficient fuel consumption, and low maintenance requirements attract buyers who understand total cost of ownership.

When a yacht demonstrates reliable performance over multiple ownership cycles, it builds a reputation that supports pricing power in resale markets.

Which Are The Best Yachts for Investment and Long-Term Value?

The European luxury yacht segment data from Yahoo Finance shows motor yachts held approximately 76% market share in 2024 and are forecast to grow at roughly 10% CAGR through 2034, suggesting that motor yachts from established European builders represent the most liquid and appreciating segment of the yacht market.

Feadship consistently demonstrates strong resale performance due to their custom-build approach and limited annual production. Each Feadship is essentially a unique creation, which creates scarcity value while their reputation for technical innovation and build quality supports premium pricing throughout the vessel’s lifecycle.

Classic sailing yachts represent another category with strong investment characteristics, particularly vessels from renowned designers or with racing pedigree. These yachts often appreciate based on historical significance and emotional appeal that transcends pure utility, similar to classic cars or vintage watches.

Lastly certain vintages and styles outperform others based on design trends and technological relevance. Yachts built during periods of exceptional design innovation or those incorporating timeless styling tend to age better than vessels reflecting temporary trends.

Similarly, yachts with proven mechanical systems often perform better than those with experimental technology that becomes obsolete.

The Investor’s Perspective on Yacht Ownership

The investment equation for yachts requires balancing lifestyle enjoyment with long-term financial performance. Unlike purely financial investments, yachts provide utility through personal use, which means owners can justify holding costs through enjoyment value while potentially achieving capital appreciation.

Compared to other trophy assets, yachts face higher holding costs but offer unique lifestyle benefits. While classic cars require minimal maintenance and art requires only storage and insurance, yachts demand ongoing maintenance, crew costs, insurance, and berthing fees that can reach 10-15% of vessel value annually.

However, yachts also provide accommodation, transportation, and entertainment value that other trophy assets cannot match.

The hidden costs that affect resale value require careful management by investment-minded owners. Major refits every 5-7 years can cost 20-30% of vessel value but are essential for maintaining competitive positioning in resale markets.

Owners who defer maintenance to reduce holding costs often discover they’ve damaged long-term value more than they’ve saved in annual expenses.

United Yacht Sales data showing that pre-owned boat sales over $500,000 were 35% lower in May 2025 and 20% lower in June 2025 compared to 2024 levels suggests the market is becoming more selective. This selectivity typically benefits well-maintained, properly positioned vessels while penalizing those with deferred maintenance or unrealistic pricing.

The global yacht market forecast from The Business Research Company projects growth from $9.06 billion in 2024 to $10.79 billion by 2029, representing a 3.5% CAGR. While this growth rate appears modest, it suggests steady demand that should support values for quality vessels while providing a foundation for selective appreciation in premium segments.

For yacht owners considering their vessels as investments, the key lies in understanding that success requires active management, realistic expectations, and focus on proven builders and designs rather than chasing trends or seeking bargains that may prove costly over time.