The 2026 Brokerage Market, So Far

The spring sales season is now in full swing, following the recent boat shows in Palm Beach, Palma and Newport Beach. Overall, market performance through April remains consistent with trends observed in the first quarter, suggesting that the market remains steady overall. The extended dataset reinforces a market defined by divergence between volume and value.

A total of 201 yachts over 24m were sold globally, representing a 7.4% decline year-on-year. Despite this reduction in transactional volume, total sales value increased by 17.8%, reaching approximately $2.12 billion. This reflects a market increasingly led by higher-value transactions, rather than activity across the core size segments. Motor yachts continue to dominate this dynamic, with total sales value rising 21% year-on-year, more than offsetting the decline in sailing yacht sales value. Taken together, these figures point to a clear concentration of activity at the top end of the market, with fewer but more valuable transactions driving overall performance.

Brokerage Sales by Size Segment

A closer look at the data highlights where this shift is occurring. The overall decline in volume is primarily driven by softer activity in the 78’–98’ (24m – 30m) and 98’-131’ (30m – 40m) segments, which continue to represent the core transactional base of the market. By contrast, larger size categories demonstrate greater resilience:

• 131’ – 164’ (40m – 50m) and 164’ – 214’ (50m – 65m) segments both recorded year-on-year growth
• The 131’ – 164’ (40m – 50m) segment showed the strongest increase, emerging as a key area of activity
• The 213’+ (65m+) segment remained broadly stable, reinforcing continued demand at the top end of the market

This shift suggests that the mid to large-sized yachts are increasingly absorbing transactional activity that would traditionally sit in the smaller size brackets. At the top end, landmark transactions continue to shape overall sales values. The sale of the 404’ (123m) GOLDEN ODYSSEY stands as the largest yacht sold in 2026 to date, reinforcing the outside influence of a limited number of high-value deals.

But what does this mean for buyers today?

Brokerage Market & Supply

Market conditions remain defined by ample supply and increasingly selective demand. Northrop & Johnson’s Q1 Global Report noted that the brokerage fleet continues to represent a significant share of the global market, with over 2,300 yachts currently for sale (approx. 18.5% of the global fleet). Inventory remains active, but buyers are more price-sensitive and selective, with well-priced, high-quality, pedigree yachts continuing to sell.

Northrop & Johnson Activity

Northrop & Johnson’s activity during the first four months of 2026 reflects these broader brokerage market dynamics, with continued movement across the 98’–164’ (30m–50m) size segment and selective larger transactions.

Recent sales include the 142’ (43m) CALLIOPE, with an asking price at the time of sale of $9.9 million, and the 130’ (39.6m) SERENGETI, with an asking price of $7.95 million.

Brokerage Market Outlook

Based on current data through April, the market appears to be stabilizing, with pricing alignment and asset quality remaining the primary drivers of sales, while broader macroeconomic conditions continue to influence the market. Although we expect the brokerage market to remain active, successful yacht sales are increasingly dependent on realistic pricing and a strong brokerage team.

As with all market reporting, these observations should be viewed as indicative rather than definitive, with patterns continuing to evolve as further data emerges.