22. Inside the Market - Yacht Sales Insights & Trends for June & July 2026 - Berthon Internationa...

How is the yacht brokerage market performing halfway through the 2026 season? Are buyers still active? Which yachts are attracting the most interest? And what does it take to achieve a successful sale in today's market? In this latest edition of Inside the Market, Berthon International Managing Director Tim Carbury is joined by Rob Steadman, Head of Large Motor Yacht Sales and New Yacht Sales Manager for Solaris Power, to discuss the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping yacht brokerage through June and July. Despite wider economic uncertainty, the market has continued to show encouraging resilience. Tim explains that Berthon has seen "a really marked increase in activity across the brokerage market in all our Berthon offices," with the business performing strongly across Europe, Scandinavia, Spain and North America. The discussion explores why serious buyers are still making confident purchasing decisions, even though the market remains firmly in buyers' favour. Rob explains that today's purchasers are more discerning than ever, noting that "buyers are  expecting brokerage boats to fly through survey." Tim and Rob examine why well-maintained, realistically priced yachts continue to outperform the rest of the market, and why professional presentation, regular upgrades and accurate pricing remain the key ingredients behind successful sales. They also discuss how rising new-build prices are increasing the appeal of quality brokerage yachts, with many owners choosing to invest in refits that deliver outstanding value compared with buying new. The episode also goes behind the scenes of bringing a yacht to market. From photography, videography and walkthrough films to detailed specifications, brochures and international marketing, Tim explains why every new listing represents a significant investment of time and expertise before it is ever presented to prospective buyers. One of the strongest themes throughout the conversation is the importance of long-term relationships. Repeat clients account for a significant proportion of Berthon's listings and sales, something both Tim and Rob see as one of the company's greatest strengths. As Tim says, "It is a relationship business," with trust, face-to-face meetings and honest advice often proving just as important as the yachts themselves. The pair also discuss the realities of brokerage, including survey negotiations, pricing expectations and why completed sales remain the clearest measure of market confidence. While surveys do not always go according to plan, both agree that navigating these challenges is simply part of the profession. Looking further afield, the conversation highlights the increasingly international nature of today's brokerage market. Alongside continued activity across Europe and North America, Berthon is seeing enquiries from much further afield, with clients travelling from places including Mauritius and Tunisia to view yachts. These global enquiries reflect the growing reach of the brokerage market and the confidence buyers continue to place in experienced international brokers. Whether you're considering selling your yacht, searching for your next purchase or simply interested in how the market is evolving, this episode provides an honest snapshot of where yacht brokerage stands as the 2026 season moves into its second half. Join Tim and Rob as they share the latest market insights, discuss the trends they're seeing firsthand and explain why quality, preparation and trusted relationships continue to drive successful yacht sales.