Superyacht Market Report 2026: GOB & Sales Data
BOAT International GOB 2026 tracks 1,093 projects over 24m. 30m+ deliveries, builder rankings, and what the order book means for buyers.
By GlobalYachtGuide Editorial · Updated June 8, 2026 · 14 min read
Superyacht Market Report 2026: GOB & Sales Data
Quick answer: BOAT International’s Global Order Book 2026 lists 1,093 projects over 24 metres — slightly fewer hulls than GOB 2025 (1,138) but with total gross tonnage reportedly up around 4% to ~602,000 GT, meaning buyers are ordering larger yachts. SuperYacht Times counted 228 deliveries over 30 metres in 2024 (a post-2008 high) and 500 combined new and used sales over 30 metres that year. Italy leads construction by volume; Azimut-Benetti leads by project count; Feadship and Lürssen anchor the full-custom tier.
What Does the Global Order Book Show for 2026?
The Global Order Book (GOB), published annually by BOAT International, is the most widely cited snapshot of committed superyacht construction worldwide. GOB methodology counts only yachts over 24 metres with a signed contract and deposit paid — speculative announcements and unsigned concepts are excluded. That filter matters: the GOB reflects real shipyard workload, not marketing pipeline.
For GOB 2026, BOAT International tracks 1,093 projects over 24 metres. That is a modest decline from 1,138 projects in GOB 2025, yet industry commentary accompanying the 2026 edition notes total gross tonnage on order rose approximately 4% to around 602,000 GT. Fewer hulls, more displacement — a pattern consistent with buyers stepping up in size rather than volume at the entry superyacht tier.
SuperYacht Times provides a parallel lens at the 30-metre threshold. Its construction book counted 692 yachts over 30 metres in early 2025. The 30m+ cut-off excludes many production semi-custom builds that GOB includes from 24m upward, so the two datasets are complementary rather than contradictory.
| Metric | GOB 2025 | GOB 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projects over 24m | 1,138 | 1,093 | BOAT International |
| Total GT on order | ~578,000 (est.) | ~602,000 | BOAT International |
| Construction book over 30m | 692 (early 2025) | — | SuperYacht Times |
| GOB inclusion criteria | Signed contract + deposit, 24m+ | Same | BOAT International |
Insider tip: When a broker quotes “two years to delivery,” cross-check the yard’s GOB-listed backlog and average build cycle for that LOA band. Production yards with 100+ projects on order often quote longer lead times than the marketing brochure suggests — slot priority goes to repeat clients and larger contracts.
If you are comparing a new build against brokerage inventory, start with our Superyacht Buying Guide before requesting yard pricing.
How Did 30-Metre-Plus Sales and Deliveries Perform?
Transaction data and delivery data measure different things — sales reflect buyer commitment in a given year; deliveries reflect hulls completed and handed over, often 24–48 months after contract signing.
SuperYacht Times reported 195 new-build sales and 305 brokerage sales for yachts over 30 metres in 2024, totalling 500 transactions. Pre-owned volume exceeding new-build sales is structurally normal above 30 metres: owners trade up, estates sell, and charter-minded buyers often prefer a proven hull with completed refit history over waiting for a new slot.
On the delivery side, 228 completions over 30 metres in 2024 marked the highest annual delivery count since 2008, according to SuperYacht Times. That surge reflects contracts signed during the post-2020 demand wave reaching the water — not necessarily a guide to 2026 delivery pace, which depends on when current GOB projects were contracted.
Broader brokerage analytics add context at the 24-metre line. BOATPro data cited by Denison Yacht Sales recorded 470 brokerage sales of 24m+ yachts in 2025, up 19.9% from 392 in 2024. Knight Frank attributed roughly $8.5 billion in superyacht transaction value in 2025 with an average sold asking price near $16.6 million — verify the exact transaction universe before treating that figure as all-boat market value; it covers the superyacht segment specifically.
| 30m+ metric (2024) | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New-build sales | 195 | SuperYacht Times |
| Brokerage sales | 305 | SuperYacht Times |
| Combined sales | 500 | New + used |
| Deliveries (completions) | 228 | Highest since 2008 |
The operating fleet continues to expand. Monaco Yacht Show / SuperYacht Times tracking placed the global fleet over 30 metres at 6,174 yachts in August 2025 (5,259 motor, 915 sailing), up from 5,932 in 2024. More hulls in service eventually means more resale supply — a factor brokerage buyers should monitor alongside new-build lead times.
Which Countries Dominate Superyacht Construction?
Shipbuilding geography determines build culture, price architecture, and refit proximity — not only which flag appears on the transom.
BOAT International’s GOB 2025 country breakdown (still the most complete published regional split at time of writing) shows Italy leading with 572 projects and 22,195 metres of combined length on order. Turkey ranks second by project count with 146 projects and 6,410 metres — strong in production and semi-custom segments. The Netherlands holds third place with 69 projects and 4,483 metres, concentrated in full-custom and high-spec motor yachts.
Germany appears modest by project count (18 projects) but with average size near 100 metres — the country specialises in the largest custom motor yachts rather than volume production. BOAT International consistently notes that Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Germany dominate full-custom yacht construction globally.
| Country | GOB 2025 projects | Combined LOA (m) | Typical segment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 572 | 22,195 | Production + semi-custom |
| Turkey | 146 | 6,410 | Production, value semi-custom |
| Netherlands | 69 | 4,483 | Full-custom motor |
| Germany | 18 | ~1,800 (est.) | Mega/custom, avg ~100m |
For buyers, geography also affects post-delivery support. A yacht built in the Netherlands or Germany is typically refitted in Northern European yards; Italian production yachts more often cycle through Mediterranean service networks. See our Monaco Yacht Market guide for where much of the ownership and charter infrastructure concentrates in Europe.
Who Are the Leading Superyacht Builders in 2026?
Builder rankings shift depending on whether you rank by project count, metres on order, or average LOA. GOB publishes all three — and they tell different stories.
By project count (GOB 2025):
| Rank | Builder | Projects | Metres on order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azimut-Benetti | 164 | 5,905 |
| 2 | Sanlorenzo | 125 | 4,448 |
| 3 | Feadship | — | 1,525 |
| 4 | The Italian Sea Group | 22 | 1,356 |
| 5 | Lürssen | 12 | 1,254 |
| 6 | Overmarine | 26 | 1,095 |
| 7 | Princess Yachts | 42 | 1,094 |
| 8 | Ocean Alexander | 33 | 1,064 |
| 9 | Sunreef | 35 | 1,006 |
| 10 | Damen Yachting | 14 | 1,002 |
Azimut-Benetti and Sanlorenzo dominate by hull count — the accessible superyacht tier from roughly 24–40 metres. At the full-custom end, Feadship and Lürssen remain benchmark brands: Feadship with 1,525 metres on order in GOB 2025 data, Lürssen with 12 projects averaging 104.5 metres each. Damen Yachting, Heesen, and Amels compete in the same custom band with different delivery philosophies.
Red flag for buyers: Do not assume “same brand, same build quality” across a conglomerate’s product lines. Azimut-Benetti spans volume production and custom-adjacent platforms — due diligence on the specific model and yard, not the group name, is essential. Read dedicated profiles for Feadship and Lürssen before comparing custom quotes.
Production buyers comparing semi-custom against full custom should review our New Yacht Build Guide for contract structure and specification lock-in points.
What Do Forecasts Say — and What Should Buyers Treat Cautiously?
Market forecasts for superyachts diverge sharply from mass-market boating — and from each other.
Deloitte and Confindustria Nautica estimated the global yacht shipbuilding market reached €34.8 billion in 2023, up 7.3% versus 2022, while forecasting the broader 2024 market could contract around 5% even as premium and large-yacht segments might grow 5–10%. That is explicitly a forecast — treat it as directional, not a guarantee of your specific size band or builder’s pricing.
Polaris and Fortune Business Insights place the luxury yacht market around $10 billion in 2024/2025 with projections toward $17–19 billion by 2034 — but definitions vary (new build only vs. including brokerage, services, and adjacent spend). Always note the source scope when citing market size.
Ownership cost benchmarks remain more stable than market-size forecasts. Industry guides commonly cite 8–15% of hull value annually for running costs on private superyachts, with crew representing 30–40% of the operating budget on crewed vessels. Our Superyacht Running Costs guide breaks down captain salaries, insurance bands, and Mediterranean vs. Caribbean berthing.
What we would not publish as certainty: guaranteed resale value, charter income offsets presented as investment returns, or “best flag” advice without jurisdiction-specific legal review. Verify flag, VAT, and employment implications with maritime counsel before contract signing.
Comparing new build vs. brokerage over 24 metres?
Our buyer desk maps your use case to shipyard slots, resale inventory, and vetted brokers — at no cost to you.
How Should Buyers Use This Report?
Three practical takeaways for anyone active in the 24m+ market in 2026:
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Order book tonnage is rising even as hull count dips — expect continued emphasis on larger custom and semi-custom projects; entry-level 24–30m production may see more competitive pricing as yards fill larger slots first.
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Brokerage liquidity remains essential — 305 used vs. 195 new sales over 30m in 2024 (SuperYacht Times) confirms that resale market depth matters as much as shipyard availability. Factor time-on-market and survey contingency into any offer.
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Geography drives lifecycle costs — Italian production, Turkish value builds, and Dutch/German custom yachts carry different refit ecosystems, crew pools, and class-society traditions. Match builder geography to your cruising plan.
For the full purchase process — MOA structure, deposit escrow, sea trial contingencies, and broker commission splits — continue to our Superyacht Buying Guide. For commission mechanics on resale, see Yacht Broker Commission.
Buyer scenarios for superyacht market report 2026
Weekend coastal owner (superyacht market report 2026): Plan 40–60 sea days per year within 200 nm of home port. Prioritise simple systems, familiar yards, and insurance in a jurisdiction your lender accepts.
Liveaboard cruiser (superyacht market report 2026): You need passage-making range, comfortable berths, and predictable service networks in the Med or Caribbean. Budget 15–25% of hull value annually for running costs on this use case.
Charter-offset investor (superyacht market report 2026): You accept crew, management, and VAT/flag planning in exchange for limited personal weeks. Treat charter income as uncertain — never as guaranteed yield.
Apply this lens to superyacht market report 2026 before you sign any MOA or build contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
BOAT International's Global Order Book 2026 tracks 1,093 yacht projects over 24 metres with signed contracts and deposits paid — down slightly from 1,138 projects in GOB 2025, but total gross tonnage reportedly rose around 4% to approximately 602,000 GT. SuperYacht Times separately counted 692 yachts over 30 metres in the construction book in early 2025.
SuperYacht Times recorded 195 new-build sales and 305 brokerage (pre-owned) sales for yachts over 30 metres in 2024 — 500 transactions combined. Brokerage volume exceeded new-build sales by a wide margin, which is typical in mature superyacht markets where resale liquidity matters as much as shipyard slots.
Italy leads BOAT International's Global Order Book by project count — 572 projects and 22,195 metres of combined LOA in GOB 2025 data. Turkey ranks second by project volume (146 projects), while the Netherlands and Germany dominate full-custom construction for the largest motor yachts, with German yards averaging near 100 metres per project.
By GOB 2025 project count, Azimut-Benetti leads with 164 projects, followed by Sanlorenzo with 125. Among full-custom builders, Feadship and Lürssen remain reference brands — Feadship with 1,525 metres on order and Lürssen with 12 projects averaging 104.5 metres per vessel according to BOAT International.
The picture is split by segment. Deloitte and Confindustria Nautica forecast the broader 2024 global yacht shipbuilding market could contract around 5% while premium and large-yacht segments may grow 5–10% — a forecast, not a settled outcome. Deliveries over 30 metres hit 228 in 2024, the highest since 2008, per SuperYacht Times.
Monaco Yacht Show / SuperYacht Times data put the operating fleet over 30 metres at 6,174 yachts in August 2025 — 5,259 motor and 915 sailing — up from 5,932 in 2024. The US remains the dominant single country of ownership, with North America accounting for roughly 25% of known 40m+ ownership by hull count in 2025 regional tracking.
Verify shipyard slot availability against your delivery timeline, review the build contract with maritime counsel, and compare new-build pricing against brokerage inventory in the same size band. Our superyacht buying guide covers flag strategy, crew planning, and survey contingencies — start there before signing a deposit.
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