Inside the Market: Yacht Sales Insights & Trends for May 2026 | Berthon International Yacht Brokerage

In this episode of Inside the Market, Hugh Rayner is joined by Ben Hitchen to discuss the latest trends, activity and observations from across the international yacht brokerage market.

Drawing on conversations with Berthon's teams in the UK, Sweden, Spain and the USA, Hugh and Ben explore what they are seeing on the ground as the season gains momentum and buyers return to the market.

After a quieter start to the year, May has brought a noticeably more positive tone. Viewings have increased, enquiry levels are improving, and there is growing activity across the core brokerage sector. However, buyers remain selective, with condition, presentation and realistic pricing continuing to play a critical role in determining which yachts attract serious interest.

As Hugh explains, "there is a lot of really encouraging activity across our core brokerage space, but the boats still have to be well-presented yachts and realistically priced for the market."

The discussion covers Berthon's Top 7 Yacht Sales Insights for May 2026, including:

• The continued resilience of the brokerage market between €300,000 and €400,000
• Strong demand for quality cruising yachts such as Hallberg-Rassys, Sweden Yachts, Southerlys and smaller Oysters
• Why good listings remain in short supply
• The importance of realistic pricing and presentation
• Increased viewings and buyer engagement during the latter part of the month
• Activity levels across Scandinavia and the wider European market
• The challenges currently facing larger yachts above 65 feet
• How buyers are approaching value and condition in today's market

Ben also shares his experience of increased demand for quality cruising yachts, noting that there remains "a decent amount of interest in the well-regarded quality boats" and that viewings, walk-ins and enquiries have all increased as the season progresses.

The conversation explores how the market is rewarding owners who are realistic about pricing, while boats that are overpriced or poorly presented continue to struggle for attention. Hugh reflects on the impact of recent price adjustments, explaining that even small corrections have resulted in direct enquiries and renewed buyer interest.

The episode also looks at regional differences, particularly the continued strength of the Scandinavian market, where healthy levels of activity, new listings and steady sales continue to provide positive signals.

As the discussion concludes, both Hugh and Ben reflect on a market that feels more active than it did earlier in the spring. Serious buyers remain present, particularly in the core cruising yacht sector, but they are informed, selective and looking for genuine value.

For yacht owners considering selling, buyers looking to enter the market, or anyone interested in the current state of international yacht brokerage, this episode provides a useful snapshot of what Berthon's brokers are seeing across the market in May 2026.

Host: Hugh Rayner
Guest: Ben Hitchen

Back from Palma International Boat Show 2026, Tim Carbury and Alan McIlroy sit down to reflect on one of the Mediterranean yachting calendar’s most important events.

Recorded just days after returning from Mallorca, this episode looks at the mood of the market, the atmosphere on the dock, and what Berthon observed across both brokerage and new yacht sales during the week.

The discussion covers Berthon’s presence at the show, including the HH66 NO CODE, Spirit 76 NAZGUL OF FORDELL, Swan 77 INVICTUS, and the Solaris 50 and Solaris 64 RS, as well as wider observations from across the industry.

Tim and Alan discuss whether footfall really felt lighter this year, why targeted enquiries still matter more than general crowds, and how Palma compares with shows such as Cannes and Düsseldorf.

The conversation also explores:

• the continued appetite for quality bluewater and performance cruising yachts
• the growing confidence returning to parts of the market
• why classic and modern-classic yachts continue to attract strong attention
• the realities of exhibiting at major international boat shows
• the importance of broker networking and industry visibility
• and why Palma remains such an important event despite changing buyer behaviour

There are also some behind-the-scenes reflections on the practical side of getting five yachts prepared and presented for an international show, alongside discussion around current brokerage trends, enquiry levels, and the state of the Mediterranean season as a whole.

As Alan notes during the episode:

“The dream is more alive when the boats are on the water and the sun’s out.”

A relaxed and honest conversation from two brokers fresh off the dock in Palma.

The 2026 sailing season is now properly underway, and with boats launching across Europe and the Mediterranean season beginning to gather pace, the market is starting to reveal where confidence, caution, and genuine activity currently sit.

In this episode of Inside the Market, Ben Cooper and Alan McIlroy discuss the Top 7 Yacht Sales Insights for April 2026, drawing on conversations from across Berthon’s international offices in the UK, Spain, Sweden, and the USA.

The picture, as ever, is mixed.

General enquiry levels remain noticeably lower than this time last year, but the quality of enquiry has improved considerably. As Ben explains, “the people that you are talking to, those targeted enquiries, they’re quite focused and they want to buy boats.” Fewer casual browsers perhaps, but more serious buyers prepared to make decisions.

One of the clearest trends emerging this spring is the pressure on the production yacht market between 40 and 60 feet. Buyers appear to be waiting for further price adjustments, even as the season begins. In a crowded marketplace, pricing and presentation are becoming more important than ever.

At the other end of the spectrum, well-prepared quality yachts continue to attract strong interest. Bluewater cruisers and proven offshore brands remain particularly resilient. “There’s always a market for those well-presented quality marques that represent good value,” Alan notes, reflecting a trend being seen across multiple territories.

The discussion also looks at the Palma International Boat Show, which Berthon has just returned from. While general footfall may have felt lighter than previous years, both Ben and Alan highlight that the show remains hugely important from a brokerage perspective, particularly for networking, getting brokers aboard yachts, and generating future sales conversations. As Alan puts it, “what we as an industry use Palma for really is to show other brokers the boats.”

New yacht sales remain more measured overall, although there are signs of renewed confidence within the quality segment. Both Pegasus and Solaris are seeing more serious discussions beginning to develop again, particularly where buyers are looking for well-built, performance-oriented cruising yachts designed for long-term ownership.

The episode also touches on broader regional differences. Sweden continues to see a highly active and liquid local market, while elsewhere some owners are choosing to hold onto their yachts for another season rather than bring them to market after investing in spring preparation and refit work.

As always, the fundamentals remain remarkably consistent. High quality yachts, properly presented and realistically priced, continue to find buyers, even in a more selective marketplace.

Key Points

• The 2026 sailing season is now underway, with activity increasing across all Berthon territories
• Enquiry levels are lower than in 2025, but conversion rates are significantly stronger
• Production yachts in the 40–60 foot segment remain under pricing pressure
• Palma Boat Show delivered focused, high-quality brokerage interest despite lighter footfall
• Sweden and parts of Northern Europe continue to show strong local market activity
• New yacht sales are showing signs of renewed confidence in the premium segment
• Well-presented, high-quality yachts continue to sell at sensible price levels