The superyacht industry defied all expectations of a slowdown this year, with BOATPro showing an 8.3 per cent uptick in the total amount of sales secured over the past 12 months. Even with the number of asking prices that have been withheld (such as in the recent sale of Aquijo, which reached an estimated nine figures), the collective value managed to grow from €3.6 billion in 2022 to €3.9 billion in 2023.
As we head into the new year, BOAT takes a look back at the biggest and most exciting deals of 2023, starting with the single most expensive yacht brokerage sale in history...
Ahpo
Length: 115.1m
Asking price: €330,000,000
The superyacht industry came to a standstill when news broke that Lürssen's Ahpo had been sold in what is believed to be the biggest brokerage deal in history. If that wasn't enough, her colossal impact drove May 2023 to become the single-highest-grossing brokerage sales month on record. Designed by Nuvolari Lenard, Ahpo's striking profile was inspired by a performance sports car, with tapered decks, a duo-tone colour scheme and trademark half-moon windows. The yacht also carries a nature theme throughout its interior, seen in the choice of artwork, the central staircase (which depicts an olive tree) and the aft deck winter garden.
Ahpo was sold in an in-house deal by Moran Yacht & Ship.
Madsummer
Length: 95m
Asking price: €227,500,000
Designers Peder Eidsgaard and Laura Sessa teamed up with German yard Lürssen to deliver the award-winning Madsummer in 2019 for an owner seeking both a new yacht and a new plane. Their efforts resulted in a subtly masculine-looking superyacht with a riot of colour inside and a dedicated deck for the owner's accompanying Husky seaplane. Other onboard highlights include a fully certified helideck at the bow, a 12-metre swimming pool and accommodations for up to 12 guests in distinctively-coloured staterooms.
Madsummer was sold in an in-house deal by Moran Yacht & Ship.
Here Comes the Sun
Length: 89m
Asking price: $195,000,000
This former yacht for sale was sold in August of this year after just four months on the brokerage market. Originally delivered in 2017, Here Comes the Sun remains Dutch shipbuilder Amels' largest yacht to date and recently underwent a full rebuild in 2021 that saw Azure Naval Architects tack on a six-metre stern extension, a second helipad as well as a brand new navy blue and white paint job. Here Comes the Sun was later awarded a Neptune for Best Rebuilt Yacht at the 2022 World Superyacht Awards, with judges applauding her newfound elegance and clever internal layout.
Here Comes the Sun was sold with Fraser representing both the seller and buyer. She was jointly listed with Burgess at the time of the sale.
Whisper
Length: 95.2m
Asking price: €149,000,000
The Lürssen superyacht Whisper (ex Kismet) was sold in just three months with Cecil Wright yacht brokerage – right before her scheduled appearance at this year's Monaco Yacht Show. She was commissioned by billionaire businessman Shahid Khan, who wished for a "champagne and caviar superyacht" suitable for both family and corporate entertainment. True to the brief, renowned design firm Espen Øino opted for a champagne-coloured hull with plenty of crowd-pleasing amenities packed inside an art deco interior. Some of the most notable design features include a multi-level swimming pool, a Persian-inspired spa and a Crystal Caviar chandelier weighing a staggering 350kg.
Whisper was sold in a deal between Cecil Wright & Partners and Christie Yachts.
Arrow
Length: 75m
Asking price: €139,900,000
Sold in the same month as Ahpo, the 75-metre Feadship Arrow was the second sale in May to cross the nine-figure threshold. Her sharply raked bow and low, sloping profile had been conceived by London-based studio H2 Yacht Design, who was also responsible for the yacht's funky, modern interior. Arrow also makes use of the Dutch yard's latest hybrid technology, with an advanced waste heat recovery system adding to the yacht's overall efficiency. Accommodations are for 12 guests in six cabins with additional quarters for a crew of up to 19.
Arrow was sold with Fraser representing the seller and Kitson Yachts the buyer.
Starlust
Length: 68.2m
Asking price: €88,000,000
Abeking & Rasmussen's Soaring was sold in March and has since been renamed Starlust. Delivered in 2020, her original owner tasked Focus Yacht Design with an exterior that "wouldn't be mistaken for any other", culminating in the yacht's distinctive scalloped windows, "eagle-beak" bow and vivid orange bootstripe to go with her pale grey hull. Starlust also comes equipped with two Compass Tenders, each marked with an identifiable orange band along the bottom to evoke the style of the mothership.
Stalust was sold in an in-house deal with Ocean Independence.
Lusine
Length: 60m
Asking price: $82,000,000
At 60 metres in length, the newly delivered Dutch build Lusine is Heesen's largest steel superyacht to date with an exterior design from Omega Architects. She went on to secure a Judges' Commendation at both the 2023 World Superyacht Awards as well as that year's Design & Innovation Awards. Special attention was given to the yacht's sophisticated and elaborate lighting plan showcasing the elegant joinery, rich textures and rare stone surfaces throughout (including actual pieces of moon meteorite to coincide with her lunar theme).
Lusine was sold with Fraser introducing the buyer and Burgess and KAYZ Marine both acting for the seller.
Felix
Length: 74.5m
Asking price: €71,500,000
Lady S, Lady E and now Felix, this charter favourite joined the brokerage market only a few years after emerging from a substantial 2020 refit by Pendennis. The work centred around a six-metre stern extension, which created an additional 120 square metres of guest space. Her newly added features include an expanded beach club area that doubles as a nightclub, as well as a health and wellness centre complete with a hammam, fully equipped gymnasium and counter-current pool.
Felix was sold with Fraser and Burgess representing the seller and Fraser representing the buyer.
Q
Length: 68.2m
Asking price: €69,500,000
Originally delivered as a multipurpose supply vessel in 2012, Q (ex Ragnar) was transformed into a globe-trotting expedition yacht by Dutch shipyard Icon Yachts in 2020. Her RWD exterior is rumoured to have taken inspiration from a medieval Viking helmet, while the interior borrows visible design cues from cosy ski chalets and Scottish castles. Among her ample explorer credentials, Q boasts diesel-electric propulsion with ice-breaking propellers, an industrial-grade crane and a certified helideck designed to support an Airbus EC145 helicopter.
Q was sold in a deal between Arcon Yachts and FGI Yacht Group.
Casino Royale
Length: 72m
Asking price: €66,000,000
Rounding out this year's top 10 is the Tankoa flagship, Casino Royale, which spent the past winter at the Amico shipyard shedding her characteristic beige hull in favour of an all-white exterior. The yacht was given its modern appearance by Francesco Paszkowski Design, who teamed up with Margherita Casprini to deliver a darkened, slightly masculine interior. According to Paszkowski, one of the yacht's key design features is the beach club, which allows in natural light from a glass-bottom pool above and connects to the onboard wellness hub, complete with a hammam and multiple fold-out terrace balconies.
Casino Royale was sold in an in-house deal by Edmiston.