Our tips for buying a new yacht
Having the opportunity to buy a new yacht can certainly be an exciting experience, but it brings with it great doubts and important choices to be made, especially not to run into costly mistakes. The main factor is often the budget, which leads one to wonder whether it is better to choose a second-hand yacht or one fresh from the boatyard. It is often thought that the former is the cheaper option, but this is not always the case!
Having a hull free from signs of wear or the passage of time, brand-new wood finishes and fabrics, and state-of-the-art electronic devices guarantees exceptionally high levels of satisfaction. Moreover, knowing that your boat has been selected, equipped, and customized according to your tastes and needs makes the delivery day a particularly exciting moment and offers numerous advantages over purchasing a second-hand vessel. Customization is no longer a luxury reserved only for the most exclusive and expensive yacht models; on the contrary, mid-range and standard boats now offer a wide range of customization options, including colors, materials, furniture, and equipment. Choosing the model, preparing the funds, and waiting for the big day is certainly easy… but having decision-making power from stern to bow, from the flybridge to the lower deck of your future yacht, is undoubtedly a more stimulating and rewarding challenge in the long term!
However, to achieve an excellent quality-price ratio, it is essential to carefully plan each stage of the purchase and prepare for the decisions ahead. Here are the fundamental points we believe should be considered before proceeding with the purchase:
– Rely on an Experienced Broker… especially in Italy! Having an expert intermediary is fundamental, especially when choosing to purchase in a country different from your own. Bureaucracy, methodologies, and a market like the Italian one—which has always been a point of reference in the nautical and shipbuilding world—can be challenging to navigate. Our experts at Levantemare know it like the back of their hand! We operate in the world’s leading country for the production of yachts over 24 meters, where we have established contacts and collaborations with all major shipyards to meet the needs of every type of clientele. We are, therefore, your ideal point of reference thanks to our strategic position, allowing us to act swiftly and dynamically should any needs arise during the construction process of your dream yacht! Additionally, we also collaborate with the most prestigious shipyards in Northern Europe.
– Define Your Needs Conduct research, gather information, visit industry fairs… consult with your broker. Yachts differ in characteristics, comfort, and performance. Additionally, aspects such as the vessel’s capacity, deck division, finish quality, desired maximum speed, comfort level, cruising autonomy, and necessary equipment for your voyage must all be evaluated. Naturally, throughout this journey, the broker’s role is essential in guiding the owner through the selection of various opportunities available on the market based on the budget allocated for the purchase.
– Plan Your Budget In addition to the purchase budget, there are also other economic factors to consider: mooring, insurance, fuel, and both routine and extraordinary maintenance are among the primary costs. It is also essential to assess the need for safety equipment and administrative management costs for the vessel. Having a clear overview of expenses will help avoid surprises, make prudent choices, and ensure balanced financial management over time. At Levantemare, we can assist you in outlining and defining all probable additional costs! Discover what else we can do for you at the end of this article.
– Select Your Optional Features Wisely Many shipyards offer the possibility of customizing the yacht with a wide range of optional features and accessories. However, it is crucial to carefully evaluate which ones are truly necessary, avoiding overloading the boat with superfluous elements that could negatively impact performance and increase acquisition costs without providing any real benefit to the owner!
– Awareness and Expectations A new yacht may require a break-in period to reach full efficiency. In the first few months of use, minor technical issues may arise, often related to component settling or onboard system adjustments. For this reason, it is important to maintain a good relationship with the shipyard or dealer, who can provide assistance for any fine-tuning or warranty repairs. Additionally, the broker you rely on will be available to facilitate negotiations and site visits whenever necessary.
These are just some of the precautions we recommend according to Levantemare’s philosophy. As industry experts, we can provide a range of additional support services, such as finding a crew for your yacht. Moreover, we collaborate with qualified legal and technical experts to assist in defining and verifying contractual aspects of construction or overseeing the realization of your project. We can also intervene directly to support ongoing construction contracts, managing and coordinating the relationship between the owner, surveyor, and shipyard.
