We all know the line from the ads: my house, my car and... that's right, my yacht. Anyone who thinks of luxury immediately pictures a beautiful boat, and those who can afford one sometimes surely think about buying a yacht too. Alongside a sleek car and a beautiful home, luxury yachts have always stood for wealth and decadence, but just as much for freedom and independence. Especially in the luxury segment, there are differences from boat to boat that can lead a layperson to a bad purchase. To help you decide whether buying a luxury yacht is right for you at all, and to make sure you don't get a nasty surprise after the purchase, we've put together a few useful tips and some information below.

Reasons for Buying a Yacht

Buying a luxury yacht

If you want to spend your next vacation undisturbed, yet still be right in the middle of things whenever you like, you've just found one more reason to buy a yacht of your own. With your own boat you can enjoy a journey from city to city, from highlight to highlight. Travel time turns into a cruise and into a very personal attraction. Whether it's a spontaneous diving trip, a barbecue party with friends, or simply relaxing at sea, only your own imagination will set the limits. Buying a luxury yacht also lets you impress your business contacts, because a yacht is always a prestige object as well.

Reasons at a glance

  • Experience a sense of freedom whenever you feel like it
  • Quick trips, adventures and vacations
  • Prestige
  • A refuge to switch off

What to Look For When Buying a Luxury Yacht

Buying a luxury yacht

As with any important decision, it is very important to consider all the factors and to find the best one for you among the many offers. The most important thing is to be aware of the price brackets. Buying a luxury yacht can cost anywhere from several hundred thousand dollars to several hundred million. Size, technology and furnishings are the decisive factors here. Find out about the surcharge for certain installations, because these can push up the final bill considerably. If you know what you want and what to expect, the right dealer is what matters. You shouldn't get the feeling that you're being pressured into buying. Anyone who wants to offer you a luxury yacht should calmly compare suitable offers with you. Visiting several dealers is recommended. You should also get to know the philosophies of the different builders, because there are some from Germany, America, Italy and France. On top of that, every country has renowned shipyards. Among the most prestigious for luxury yachts are Abeking & Rasmussen, Ferretti, Azimut, Lürssen, Maiora, Blohm & Voss or, for example, Beneteau.

As already mentioned, you can choose a new, individually designed yacht over a fully equipped or used one. Then the question arises whether it should be a small mini yacht (2-4 people) or a maxi yacht. With enough money, you can also go for a megayacht. These usually require an additional crew of two, however. On average, a boat is 33 to 66 feet (10 to 20 meters) long, and the tank holds between 1,500 and 500 liters (roughly 400 and 130 gallons), with models offered with gasoline or diesel engines. You can also choose steel, aluminum or wood as the material. Besides fuel, insurance and a berth, the follow-up costs are decisive. The latter can run as high as $2,700 per day, while elsewhere you can secure a spot for several years.