The figures paint a clear picture: “Business for sellers has never been as sluggish as it is at present,” says Martin Dotti from the online second-hand boat portal Boat24. In some months, sales figures have fallen by more than 40 per cent compared with the previous year. At the same time, the average duration of a listing has risen from 34 to 52 days. And that’s not all. According to Dotti, almost one in two sellers now has to reduce their original asking price – by an average of 15 per cent.
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“Boats simply aren’t selling like hot cakes at the moment,” confirms boat dealer Rüdiger Sommerfeld from Yachthandel24 in Kappeln. His company has been selling second-hand sailing yachts since 1995. These days, it’s normal to have 15 to 20 viewings by just as many prospective buyers before a successful sale is finalised; in extreme cases, the figure can even reach 80. “A boat isn’t a commodity, but purely a hobby. People take their time and compare lots of offers,” says Sommerfeld. And recreational boat expert Uwe Gräfer from Hamburg adds: “Even in these times, only particularly good second-hand boats don’t have to be sold below value.”
From the Covid boom to the slump
The causes of the current situation in the second-hand boat market are complex. During the pandemic, the second-hand boat market experienced an unprecedented boom. Many inexperienced buyers entered the market because long-distance travel was not possible. “However, they often massively underestimated the running costs and the amount of work that simply goes hand in hand with owning a boat,” says Rüdiger Sommerfeld. By way of example, he lists mooring, upkeep, insurance and maintenance. “After one or two years, many came to the sobering realisation: ‘I can’t actually afford this.’ Their boats are now back on the market.” The result is an oversupply; brokers’ yards and the databases of online boat marketplaces are fuller than they have been for a long time.
Another factor is the demographic shift amongst boat owners. “The whole scene is quite old, almost ageing,” says Martin Dotti. Every week, he hears from owners who have to sell for reasons of age or health. For these people and their families, a boat becomes a burden, and they are under considerable pressure to sell.
Prices are coming under pressure
Buyers therefore have plenty of room for negotiation. Dealer Rüdiger Sommerfeld gives an example: a Hallberg-Rassy 47 built in 1999 was originally priced at 79,000 euros. “We sold it for 40,000 euros,” he says. The reason: an outstanding rig refurbishment costing 20,000 euros, which was to be borne by the buyer. “Things used to be different. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was possible to sell boats that were actually no longer marketable,” recalls the dealer.
Nowadays, however, even the slightest flaw is cited as a reason to lower the price. Prospective buyers would even simply deduct the cost of future repairs from the asking price or buy elsewhere. Many sellers underestimate this. As a result, boats sit unused for months on end. It is not uncommon for the mooring costs incurred to completely eat into the difference compared with a higher selling price that might, at best, be achieved later on.
When it’s particularly worth hiring an expert
What all three experts have observed is that prospective buyers are now much more likely to consult surveyors than they used to be. “It’s been like this for three or four years. We never used to see that,” says Sommerfeld. Gräfer confirms: “The demand for specialist expertise has risen significantly.” This is an advantage for buyers. Gräfer advises: “Don’t enter into price negotiations before an expert has inspected the boat. With an expert’s report in hand, prospective buyers often have the stronger arguments.”
It doesn’t cost the earth either. Gräfer’s team, for example, offers preliminary video inspections for 300 euros. Particularly if a boat is to be purchased abroad – for instance, in the Mediterranean – such a preliminary inspection can be a sensible alternative to the costly travel expenses involved in sending an expert to assess the vessel. A full survey report costs, on average, less than two per cent of the purchase price. “Compared to making a bad purchase, that’s an almost ridiculously small amount.”
Which faults can really end up costing you a lot
But what should buyers pay particular attention to? “Damp sandwich decks with balsa cores are an absolute deal-breaker,” warns surveyor Gräfer. “You can’t see it, but if the core has rotted, the cost of restoration is often on a par with a total write-off.” That is why a moisture survey is essential, not only in the hull but also in the decks.
A neglected interior is also a warning sign: “If it’s already in a state of disrepair below deck, it would be surprising if the engine were in perfect condition. A well-maintained saloon, on the other hand, is an indication that someone has generally looked after the boat well.” Such neglect is sometimes even systematic, as Rüdiger Sommerfeld knows from experience. “Many sailors say: ‘I’m giving it up in two years anyway, so there’s no point in fixing it up now’,” says the dealer. “The result is often boats with a considerable backlog of maintenance.”
Equally problematic are boats that have been unprofessionally modified. One extreme case in particular has stuck in his memory: “The owner gutted his boat and tinkered with it. However, he didn’t use materials typical of boatbuilding. Consequently, the quality of the refit is questionable. Boats like this are essentially unsellable. In the end, the owner is sometimes left with no choice but to have the boat scrapped.”
Comfort trumps sailing performance
Martin Dotti has observed another change in the second-hand boat market: “For many buyers, comfort has become more important than sailing performance.” The most sought-after features on his platform are: bow thrusters, heating and air conditioning. Sommerfeld confirms that customers’ expectations have risen. “Nowadays, people ask: ‘Where’s the bathroom here?’ Whereas in the past, it was considered a real highlight if there was even a toilet fitted in a cupboard.”
At the same time, the customer base has changed. “People used to grow up in sailing clubs and be mentored by seasoned sailors for years,” explains Sommerfeld. “Nowadays, they get their recreational boat licence and then buy a boat straight away. Consequently, some buyers know very little about it.”
Custom-built vessels, large-scale production and opportunities in the Mediterranean
Experts are largely in agreement when it comes to choosing a brand. “Scandinavian manufacturers deliver good quality,” says Gräfer. He mentions Hallberg-Rassy, Najad and Malö. Moody, formerly based in England, and Victoire from the Netherlands are also worth recommending, he adds. He views mass-production manufacturers as more problematic: “There’s a very wide variation in quality. The first yachts in a series often have weaknesses.” Sommerfeld qualifies this: “Hallberg-Rassy, Najad, Swan – these are high-quality boats with a lot of handcrafted work. Mass-produced boats such as Bavaria and Hanse sell well because they offer plenty of space and are good value for money, but they sometimes have quality issues.”
The most sought-after features in 2026
- bow thruster
- (Dual) wheel control
- Autopilot
- Heating
- Radar and chart plotter
Source: Boat24
Bargain opportunities can be found far from German waters. “Boats in Turkey or Greece are currently extremely difficult to sell, both there and here,” explains Martin Dotti. Anyone who can organise transport back to their home waters themselves or at a reasonable cost, or who even wants to use the boat directly on site, may, with a bit of luck, snap up a real bargain. Sellers in these countries are said to be very open to negotiation. To minimise the financial risk even before the first flight, it’s advisable, for long-distance journeys, to have the aforementioned digital pre-purchase inspection carried out by a surveyor.
The right strategy for buyers and sellers
The experts’ verdict is clear: 2026 is a good year for buyers. There is a wide choice available. Older boats from the 1980s are often better built than modern mass-produced models, though they are more suited to buyers who are skilled at DIY or have sufficient financial resources to pay for a professional refit. Those who are patient, shop around, consult surveyors and negotiate confidently can save a lot of money. In any case, first-class yachts are now available on terms that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
The five most important tips for buyers
- Unloading by crane: It is essential to take a second-hand boat out of the water before buying it. This is the only way to detect osmosis or damage to the hull and keel.
- Experts ask: If possible, ask a boat builder, a rigger or even an engine technician for their opinion on the boat you’re considering buying.
- Obtaining an expert opinion: Experts often spot minor defects that can be rectified later without too much effort. With such a list of defects to hand, buyers are in a stronger position when negotiating the price.
- Search outside your home area: Boats from Turkey, Greece or Italy are often harder to sell here and are therefore cheaper than comparable models in this region. Anyone who can organise the transport themselves or wants to use the boat locally can snap up a bargain.
- Check the contract: In the case of large investments, a yacht law solicitor should review the purchase agreement. Important points to check include the VAT invoice, cancellation clauses and any third-party rights. This usually costs less than 1,000 euros.
Is the market currently unfairly tough for sellers – or are many boats simply still being offered at too high a price? Let us know in the comments.