Boat International’s preview of the Cannes Yachting Festival preview notes a modest rise in average yacht length and gross tonnage, with the 50-metre-plus segment making a return. But Cannes is only part of a bigger picture: the international yacht market is clearly trending towards larger, more luxurious vessels.
The BBC recently explored why superyachts are getting bigger, pointing to owners’ desire for more space, privacy, and lifestyle features — from helipads and cinemas to expansive kitchens for fine dining at sea. The report highlights how Covid accelerated demand, with many wealthy buyers seeing yachts as “safe islands” and now trading up in size.
We’ve seen similar movement in New Zealand. Earlier this year the Auckland Boat Show was the largest in its history, with over 1.3 kilometres of vessels on display. The show revealed rising demand for 20- to 30-metre yachts, luxury charters, and spacious catamarans, reinforcing the global shift toward larger boats as an extension of lifestyle.
Industry news reinforces the same story. Azimut | Benetti has sailed past €1.5 billion in revenues, with record order backlogs. Despite a softer market, the Italian giant is investing €115 million in infrastructure and expanding into markets from the Middle East to the Americas (IBI article).
Together, these developments confirm a clear trajectory: yachts are getting bigger, more luxurious, and more central to lifestyle and identity worldwide.
