How much does a yacht cost in 2026? A small cruiser or day boat starts at about USD 100,000, a 15 to 24 m motor yacht typically costs USD 1 million to USD 7 million, a new 24 to 40 m superyacht USD 5 million to USD 15 million, and a new build over 60 m USD 50 million or more. On top of the purchase price, budget roughly 10% to 15% of the yacht’s value every year to run it, with crew as the largest single cost. Pre-owned yachts sell well below new-build prices because most depreciation happens in the first years.
The purchase price is the smaller part of the decision. A USD 20 million yacht can cost USD 2 million to USD 3 million a year to keep at sea, whether you use it for 2 weeks or 20. This guide covers purchase prices, running costs, depreciation, charter income and structure. All prices are industry ranges from dated 2025 and 2026 sources, in US dollars or euros as published. It was last updated on 18 September 2026.
How much does a yacht cost: key facts
- Entry level: small cruisers and day boats of about 9 to 12 m start at roughly USD 100,000 (YATCO, 2025).
- 15 to 24 m motor yachts: about USD 1 million to USD 7 million, depending on builder, age and specification.
- 24 to 40 m superyachts: about USD 5 million to USD 15 million new and USD 2 million to USD 10 million pre-owned (Ocean Independence, April 2026).
- 40 to 60 m: about USD 15 million to USD 40 million new and USD 10 million to USD 30 million pre-owned; over 60 m, new builds start around USD 50 million.
- Running costs: the industry rule of thumb is 10% of value a year; working ranges run from 8% to 20% depending on size, age and use (Fraser, April 2026; Foreland Marine, August 2026).
- Crew is the largest cost: typically 30% to 40% of the budget on a 50 m motor yacht.
- Depreciation: about 10% in the first year and 6% to 8% a year after that, or roughly 40% to 50% over 5 years.
What does a yacht cost to buy, by size and type?
Length drives price more than anything else, because volume, crew, systems and regulation all grow with it. The table brings together published 2025 and 2026 ranges.
| Size and type | New build (indicative) | Pre-owned (indicative) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small cruiser or day boat, 9 to 12 m | From about USD 100,000 | Below new prices | YATCO, 2025 |
| Motor yacht, 15 to 21 m | About USD 2 million to USD 7 million | From under USD 1 million | Galati, August 2026 |
| Superyacht, 24 to 40 m | USD 5 million to USD 15 million | USD 2 million to USD 10 million | Ocean Independence, April 2026 |
| Superyacht, 40 to 60 m | USD 15 million to USD 40 million | USD 10 million to USD 30 million | Ocean Independence, April 2026 |
| Superyacht, 60 m+ | USD 50 million to USD 150 million+ | USD 30 million to USD 100 million+ | Ocean Independence, April 2026 |
Treat these as orientation, not valuations. A custom new build from a top-tier European yard sits at the top of each band: a 2026 broker guide puts a new 50 m build at USD 45 million to USD 70 million, against USD 25 million to USD 35 million for a comparable 5-year-old yacht (Moran, August 2026).
What changes as yachts get bigger
Boats under about 15 m are usually run by the owner without permanent crew, which makes them the realistic entry point for coastal use, such as summer cruising along the French Riviera or the Croatian islands. The 15 to 24 m flybridge and sport-yacht segment is where most first-time owners buy, often with a captain on call. At 24 m a yacht enters superyacht territory: a yacht used commercially must meet a large yacht code, carries full-time crew and needs professional management. Above 40 m it behaves like a small hotel, with crews of 8 to 15 or more.
Sailing yachts versus motor yachts
Sailing yachts are usually cheaper to run for their length, mainly because of lower fuel use. Pre-owned sailing yachts of 24 to 40 m range from about USD 500,000 to USD 10 million, while motor yachts of 24 to 50 m range from about USD 1 million to USD 35 million (Moran, August 2026).
New build versus pre-owned
New construction typically costs 20% to 50% more than a comparable pre-owned yacht, and a large custom build takes 3 to 4 years. Pre-owned yachts are available now and have absorbed their steepest depreciation, but need a thorough survey. If you are still deciding between the 2 routes, we explain why many buyers charter before they buy.
How much does a yacht cost to run each year?
The industry shorthand is that a yacht costs about 10% of its value a year to run. It is a useful starting point and a poor forecast. Fraser puts running costs at 10% to 15% of purchase value, or EUR 2 million to EUR 3 million a year for a EUR 20 million yacht. Foreland Marine, an independent London consultancy, notes that the 10% rule has no traceable origin and that 40 to 50 m yachts in moderate use usually cost 12% to 15% a year. Older, heavily used and charter yachts sit higher.
Here is where the money goes, based on Foreland Marine’s split for a 50 m motor yacht:
| Cost component | Share of annual budget | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | 30% to 40% | Salaries, rotation, insurance, training, travel, uniforms |
| Maintenance and repair | 14% to 18% | Engines, generators, paint, systems, yard periods |
| Insurance | 10% to 14% | Hull and machinery, protection and indemnity |
| Berthing and marina fees | 8% to 12% | Home berth, visiting berths, winter storage |
| Fuel | 8% to 12% | Propulsion and generators, rising with use |
| Management | 3% to 5% | Technical, crew, accounts and compliance management |
| Classification and flag | 2% to 3% | Class surveys, flag fees, certification, audits |
| Other | 10% to 15% | Provisions, communications, tenders and toys, travel |
Insurance alone is usually 0.5% to 2% of the hull value a year (Fraser, April 2026). Refits are extra: most large yachts need a significant refit every 5 to 7 years, and budgets for these are best set aside annually rather than met as a surprise.
Worked example: annual costs for a 30 m and a 50 m yacht
The table shows indicative first-year operating costs published by Ocean Independence in April 2026. They exclude refits, depreciation and financing, and real figures depend on cruising area, flag, crew and use.
| Cost category (USD, indicative) | 30 m yacht | 50 m yacht |
|---|---|---|
| Crew salaries | 300,000 to 500,000 | 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 |
| Fuel | 80,000 to 150,000 | 250,000 to 500,000 |
| Maintenance and refit | 200,000 to 350,000 | 700,000 to 1,200,000 |
| Insurance | 20,000 to 50,000 | 100,000 to 250,000 |
| Berthing | 40,000 to 100,000 | 150,000 to 350,000 |
| Tenders and toys | 30,000 to 80,000 | 100,000 to 300,000 |
| Total | 670,000 to 1,200,000 | 2,300,000 to 4,100,000 |
Management, classification and flag costs come on top where they are not included in the maintenance line, typically adding a further 5% to 8% of the budget.
How fast does a yacht lose value?
Yachts are depreciating assets. Published estimates put first-year depreciation at about 10%, then about 6% to 8% a year, which adds up to roughly 40% to 50% over 5 years. The rate slows as a yacht ages, and a well-maintained yacht from a respected yard with a clean class record holds value better than the average.
Resale value is protected mainly by maintenance records and class status, a mainstream layout, and the timing of the refit cycle: a yacht just out of a major refit sells at a premium.
Brokerage commission on a sale is normally paid by the seller, typically around 5% to 10% of the price depending on size and market, so build it into any exit plan.
Can charter income offset the cost of owning a yacht?
Chartering the yacht when you are not using it can reduce the net cost of ownership, but it rarely makes a yacht profitable. Boat International published real examples in April 2025:
| Yacht | Charter income | Running costs | Costs covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 m motor yacht, built 2017 | EUR 1,592,000 | EUR 1,575,000 | About 101% |
| 47 m sailing yacht, built 1998 | EUR 893,000 | EUR 1,337,000 | About 67% |
| 85 m motor yacht, built 2010 | EUR 4,680,000 | EUR 5,110,000 | About 92% |
A newer, well-marketed yacht in a strong charter area can cover its running costs; older or less popular yachts cover part of them. Charter also brings obligations. A yacht offered for commercial charter must meet a commercial code, such as the REG Yacht Code or the Malta Commercial Yacht Code 2025 for yachts of 24 m or more, and it will spend weeks of the season unavailable to you.
VAT, flag and ownership structure: what affects the cost?
Tax and structure can change the true cost of a yacht by 20% or more, so they belong in the budget from day 1. In general terms:
- VAT. A yacht bought or imported for use in the EU is, in principle, subject to VAT at the rate of the member state where it is imported, often around 20%. The EU and the UK both allow temporary admission without VAT for yachts registered outside and owned by persons established outside them: 18 months in the EU, and up to 24 months in Great Britain.
- Flag. The flag determines the safety code, crew certification and survey regime. Popular yacht registries include the Red Ensign Group registries (such as the UK and Cayman Islands), Malta and the Marshall Islands.
- Ownership structure. Most larger yachts are owned through a single-purpose company, for liability, privacy and ease of resale. The right jurisdiction depends on where you live, where the yacht will cruise and whether it will charter.
These rules interact with your tax residence and where you own property. Take advice from a specialist yacht lawyer and tax adviser before you sign anything. Our partner conversation on structuring yacht ownership across borders explains why this is best settled before purchase.
What this means for you: a budget checklist
- Set 2 budgets, not 1: the purchase price and a realistic annual running budget of 10% to 15% of value.
- Add a refit reserve every year rather than waiting for the 5 to 7-year yard period.
- Model depreciation honestly: assume 40% to 50% over 5 years for a new yacht unless evidence says otherwise.
- Treat charter income as a cost offset, not as a return on investment.
- Decide VAT, flag and structure before signing, because they are hard and costly to change later.
- Plan management early. A professional manager keeps crew, maintenance and compliance on budget, and decides early whether the yacht will be offered for charter in the Mediterranean season.
- Charter before you commit. A week on a comparable yacht tests size and layout; our Mediterranean yacht charter guide sets out 2026 rates, APA and VAT.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small yacht cost?
A small cruiser or day boat of about 9 to 12 m starts at roughly USD 100,000, while 15 m motor yachts usually cost about USD 0.8 million to USD 2 million. Pre-owned boats cost considerably less. Small yachts are normally run by the owner without permanent crew, so annual costs are mostly berthing, servicing, insurance and fuel.
How much does a superyacht cost?
A new superyacht of 24 to 40 m typically costs USD 5 million to USD 15 million, and a pre-owned superyacht USD 2 million to USD 10 million, according to 2026 industry figures. Yachts of 40 to 60 m cost about USD 15 million to USD 40 million new, and custom builds over 60 m start at around USD 50 million and can exceed USD 150 million.
What is the 10% rule for yacht ownership?
The 10% rule says a yacht costs about 10% of its purchase value to run each year, covering crew, maintenance, insurance, berthing, fuel, management, flag and classification. It is a starting point only. Independent analysis puts realistic ranges at 8% to 20%, with 12% to 15% common for 40 to 50 m yachts in moderate use, before refits.
How much does it cost to run a 30 m yacht?
Indicative figures published in April 2026 put the first-year operating cost of a 30 m yacht at about USD 670,000 to USD 1.2 million. Crew salaries are the largest item at USD 300,000 to USD 500,000, followed by maintenance, fuel and berthing. Refits, depreciation and financing come on top, so a separate refit reserve is sensible.
Do yachts lose value?
Yes. Most yachts depreciate by about 10% in the first year and about 6% to 8% a year after that, or roughly 40% to 50% over 5 years. Well-maintained yachts from respected yards, kept in class with full records, hold value better. Buying pre-owned lets the first owner absorb the steepest part of the depreciation curve.
Can chartering my yacht pay for its running costs?
Sometimes, but it should not be the plan. Published 2025 case studies show charter income covering between about 67% and just over 100% of annual running costs, depending on age, size and demand. Chartering also requires compliance with a commercial yacht code, reduces your own use in peak season and increases wear, so treat it as a cost offset.
Plan your yacht budget with LIVERIA Yachting
The price of a yacht is a number. The cost of owning it is a plan, and crew, flag, tax and exit are much cheaper to get right before purchase than after.
LIVERIA International Realty is a Mauritius-based luxury real estate agency with a presence in Dubai and London, recognised by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards in 2024 and 2026 and by the Global Elite Awards in 2025 and 2026, which named LIVERIA among the Top 100 Companies Worldwide in both years. LIVERIA Yachting helps clients charter, buy and sell yachts in the Mediterranean through its Monaco-based broker partner and trusted operators; start with our guide to why smart buyers charter first. Reach us at [email protected].
Sources
- Fraser, What does a superyacht cost to run per year? (updated April 2026)
- Ocean Independence, How much does a superyacht cost? (April 2026)
- Boat International, What it really costs to run a charter yacht (April 2025)
- Foreland Marine, Superyacht running costs and the 10% rule (August 2026)
- European Commission, Guidance note for pleasure craft (April 2026)
