How Much is a Super Yacht to Buy?

If you are thinking of buying a super yacht, the question ‘How much is a super yacht to buy?’ is not an easy one to answer. is a question you can't get away from. Unlike ordinary consumer goods, super yachts come in a wide range of prices - from hundreds of thousands of euros for a small boat to hundreds of millions of euros for a custom superyacht - and budgets span a wide range. Yachttrading has compiled a systematic overview of the purchase price range and operating expenses, based on actual transaction data from recent years. 

How Much is a Super Yacht to Buy?

The average price tag for a super yacht on the market is around €8.1 million, but this figure is only an overall reference value. In reality, the price of a yacht varies significantly, depending on its size and the degree of customisation of its design. More compact and older super yachts (under 24 metres in length) can sell for as little as €150,000, while mega-luxury yachts can cost as much as €175 million.

The larger the size of the yacht, the higher the price will be. At 24 metres, super yachts over this size generally sell for more than €1 million. The average market price for a 40m to 50m superyacht, for example, is around €11.4m; while the price for a 50m to 70m superyacht climbs to €24.15m; and luxury yachts over 70m can sell for up to €81.2m. In addition, whether or not the yacht is a fully customised design has a direct impact on the price quoted - semi-custom yachts are significantly less expensive than fully customised ‘super yachts’.

Power vs Sailing Yacht Prices

In the super yacht market, power yachts tend to sell for more than sailing yachts, with the average sale price of a power yacht being around €8.6 million compared to €5.23 million for a sailing yacht. It should be noted that this is mainly due to the fact that more of the yachts in the market are older, second-hand boats, but despite this, new designs at the top end of the market are still commanding good prices.

For example, a classic sailing yacht built in 1903, which is not only suitable for long and comfortable voyages, but also equipped with modern facilities, is currently being offered at €1.5 million. The mid- to high-end powerboats are represented by the semi-displacement yachts of the Sanlorenzo brand, designed by the renowned designer Francesco Paszkowski and inspired by the style of the transatlantic cruises of the 1930s, with an asking price of around €9.5 million.

If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury, look no further than Oceano's 85-metre power yacht, capable of accommodating up to 22 guests, with a luxurious master suite with Jacuzzi, spacious sundeck and helipad, which is priced at a staggering €129 million.

Annual Operating Costs of a Super Yacht

Buying a super yacht is not only a one-off investment, but the subsequent maintenance and operating costs should not be overlooked. Generally speaking, the annual operating costs are about 10% of the purchase price. Fuel is one of the biggest expenses, for example, a 71 metre yacht will cost around €338,000 for fuel in a single year. This is followed by marina berthing costs, which average around €295,000 per year, depending on the harbour and the size of the yacht.

In addition, professional crew salaries can be a significant expense. A senior captain with more than 10 years' experience can earn between €10,100 and €21,000 per month to manage a 52 to 61 metre yacht.

Maintenance costs vary depending on the size of the super yacht and how often it is used. Generally speaking, the annual maintenance costs for a 30-metre super yacht are around €300,000 to €500,000; for a 40-metre yacht around €500,000 to €1,000,000; for a 50-metre yacht between €1,300,000 and €2,500,000; and for a 60-metre yacht the maintenance costs can be as high as €2,000,000 to €3,500,000 per year. The above costs do not include the additional expenses required for major refurbishment or remodelling.

Owning a private super yacht is a status symbol and an irreplaceable lifestyle. It offers the ultimate in privacy, allowing you to set sail to a tranquil bay or dock at night for an exclusive summer party.

The price of buying a super yacht can range from €150,000 to hundreds of millions of euros, with size, level of customisation and type of power being the main factors affecting the price. The annual running costs of owning a yacht are also considerable, accounting for around 10 per cent of the purchase price. If you want to know more detailed super yacht quotes and related services, please feel free to contact Yachttrading, we are committed to providing you with professional online yacht pricing consulting, trading and all-round maintenance support, to help you easily realise the dream of luxury yachting.