Current Market Trends

No one in the Motor Yacht or indeed Sailing Yacht business should pretend that the ‘credit crunch’ and rise in fuel costs has not had an influence on the market; of course it has, but the slowdown in demand from clients based in the UK to a large extent has been compensated for by demand from overseas buyers, notably those in the Euro zone because of the weakness of sterling against other major currencies. The popular ports such as Port Vauban at Antibes, Port Gallice agin in Antibes, Marina Baie des Anges, Golfe Juan, Beaulieu, St. Jean Cap Ferrat, Cannes and Mandelieu La Napoule, to name but a few are still experiencing very strong demand for berths for sale and boat sales are not completely unaffected but the South of France does benefit from an International clientele more than perhaps anywhere else in Europe. The big builders such as Azimut, Ferretti, Sunseeker, Princess, Jeanneau and Leopard are still experiencing strong demand for their boats although not in all cases for new builds; often it is the used boat sales market which is more resilient.

The Superyacht industry is running at capacity, there are none or at least very few build slots available with responsible shipyards for yachts from 50 metres up for a number of years; this brings its own difficulties with regard to escalating labour and raw material costs, buyers and shipyards alike have to be very careful contractually. The story is very much easier for builders and buyers from 30-50 metres and for yards who build from 10-30 metres there is capacity available.

One of the biggest problems facing brokers today is finding clients who ask us to “sell my boat”. With the undoubted success of Internet advertising clients often tend to deal with their local concessionaire, a Sunseeker owner is likely therefore to go to a Sunseeker dealer, when in fact he or she may be better off with an independent broker who is less biased towards selling their own stock boats.

There are however brokers out there with a positive attitude who will sell anything from a small motor boat or sailing yacht to a superyacht we currently have a good selection of boats for sale. From our bases in the South of England or the South of France, we have a good selection of boats for sale including a Beneteau Ombrine 801 and a Flyer 12, a Fairline Targa 30, a Grand Banks 36, a Sealine F43 and F44, a selection of Azimut Yachts including a 1998 Azimut 46 Flybridge for less than € 250,000, a 68 Flybridge a 68S an 80 and 85. Offerings from the Ferretti Group include a Ferretti 510, a 630, two Ferretti 68’s and a 760. Part exchanges can be considered against some of these models. From Pershing we have a Pershing 50, a 52, 54, 62 and a Pershing 76; again part exchanges can be considered against some of these. From Sunseeker we have a lovely 2003 Camargue 50 which is very well priced at only € 345,000, a Sunseeker Manhattan 60, 64 and new to the market an immaculate and well kept Sunseeker Manhattan 74 complete with stabilisers, built in 2000. There has been a significant price reduction on a 1998 Fairline Squadron 59, the Princess 20 Metre which we sold earlier this year is back on the market and I am happy to report the owner is upgrading, a Magnum 70 Super Sport, a Leopard 26M flybridge and a magnificent Leopard 32 Metre Motor Yacht. There are berths for sale up and down both the South of France and Italian Rivera’s from motivated sellers, which are currently very good value.