This article was featured on superyachtnews.com in October 2023 and was written by Conor Feasey.

Following its expansion to Europe in April 2022, Denison Yachting’s President, Bob Denison and Jeremy Roche, Denison Europe’s Director, announced that the firm has secured 13 yacht sales, totalling around €70m. With 21 current listings valued at €90m, the two industry veterans discuss the new division’s results, goals, challenges, industry trends and the differences between the American and European markets at the Monaco Yacht Show 2023.

“Our results reflect the success we have enjoyed in our short time in Europe. Of course, there have been some challenges, with most companies moving to the US market having been readily established in Europe and we have done it the other way around. But this has offered us a unique perspective,” says Denison. “The great results are mainly down to Jeremy Roche who is leading the charge with his scrappy entrepreneur attitude, and Ben Farnborough, Denison Yachting’s Chief Operating Officer, whose vision was to expand into the European Market from the US.”

According to Denison, one of the key differences he has noticed between European and American buyers is the sales cycle. “Buyers in the US tend to be far quicker and faster acting when it comes to doing business. As a people, we seem to be more ready to sign on the dotted line,” he says. “Europeans are different. Buyers here are usually more patient and thoughtful when making a big decision and finalising a deal.”

Whilst the firm’s European division hasn’t yet reached the same numbers as its US team, there has been significant progress in the region. “We are very, very excited about the prospects of Europe,” adds Denison. “We have just expanded our office, which is three times bigger than the original Monaco office with ten new members of staff, simply because we are experiencing increasing sales, more charters and rising interest in the company, as well as growing our inventory.” 

Notably, two of Denison Europe’s sales new build sales are a Princess Y85 delivered in July this year and a 50m Dynamiq which will be delivered in March 2025. “The 13 boats we have sold may not be that much when compared with the sales figures from our US counterparts, but considering we have started from scratch in a new market, we are incredibly pleased with our progress,” says Roche. “We had several opportunities to acquire other firms here in Europe, but we opted to start the office a new and grow a more organic client base and presence.”

Roche continues to add that whilst people within superyachting recognise the Denison brand, the principal challenge the new branch faces is gaining the recognition in Europe it has in the US. “People in the industry and the US know that we have sold over 900 boats last year and thousands of yachts in the two years before that. So our team in the US are constantly getting enquiries, whilst we are really having to work on establishing our brand name amongst buyers in Europe.”

This year, the company has also made advancements on the charter side of the business, with charter management joining its offering as of January 2023. “We are trying to offer the full range of services that we have in the states in Europe too,” says Roche, adding that Denison holds eight charter yachts in its European fleet, the largest of which is the 51m Yildizlar yacht, ARESTEAS. “So now we provide sales, charter, charter management, and are looking to expand to yacht management too by the end of the year.” 

Looking back at the recent charter season, Roche admits that it did not meet his expectations, but he also says that it appears to have been reflected across the industry. However, his outlook for next year is more optimistic with multiple bookings and enquiries for 2024 already.

Denison highlights that whilst charter may have slumped slightly, he has seen a continued uptick in payments in cryptocurrency. The company has completed 14 sales and charter transactions through the digital tender, with the Floridian noting that the European market has only increased its cryptocurrency interests.

“I expect that by the time Monaco comes around this year, that number will jump to around 25. That’s how much interest there has been,” says Dension. “Cryptocurrency is stabilising. Year to date, it is more or less a 5% increase or minus, so it is becoming less volatile and something we are really interested in.”

Looking towards the future, Dension says he is approaching the next few months with cautious optimism in light of current market conditions. “The outlook for the next few months is uncertain for sure,” he says. “We, as an industry, are still struggling with the lack of inventory. Not just in terms of what the shipyards are building, but also boats that are privately listed. It is a real battle for yacht brokers at this moment in time.

Lack of inventory has become a prominent pain point within the industry, and it is likely to continue over the next few quarters. However, industry experts at the Monaco Yacht Show this year anticipate that this will begin to normalise next year. This means more yachts at shows, more boats for sale, and hopefully, more people buying them.

“You are still seeing boats at prices that the buying public doesn’t want so that definitely is a struggle that we have to deal with,” adds Denison. “However, long term we are bullish. More people are reaching the age of retirement, so there is a lot of money on the sidelines, and we foresee our industry being very comfortable for the next half-decade or so.”

You can find more data and information on brokers’ reviews and forecasts of the sales market in the latest edition of The Superyacht Owners Report, featuring comments from Ben Farnborough of Denison Yachting and other leading brokers.

This article was featured on washingtonpost.com in September 2023 and was written by William Booth.

MONTE CARLO — Welcome aboard at the Monaco Yacht Show, where the world’s superyachts are bought and sold. Warning: If you find the excesses of the 0.01 percent triggering, avert your eyes.

The scene here is like a parking lot crammed with water toys that cost a cool collective $4.3 billion.

The technical term for the size of these pleasure craft is “enormous.” The top class — the megayachts — are now 100 meters in length — that’s 328 feet, more than a football field from goal line to goal line. There are dozens of these boats on order.

There’s also talk of gigayachts to come. Asked what a giga might be, a top broker joked: “That would be a repurposed aircraft carrier.”

Have one helipad? Sad. Why not have two?

Jet Skis? The new must-have toy is a submersible.

There are onboard elevators, naturally, to get between the four, five and six decks. Surfaces are clad in lost forests of teak and mahogany with gleaming stainless steel accents. The deckhands are constantly polishing, rubbing, squeegeeing.

You might think superyacht sales would be super down, what with global inflation, a real estate bust in China, threats of recession, trench warfare in Europe and — dare we say it here? — a planetary climate crisis. Surprise. You would be wrong.

Russian oligarchs have traditionally been big buyers of showy yachts, accounting for an estimated 10 percent of sales. Sanctions and the U.S. Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture have taken a bite. A lot of the Russian boats — including the $700 million megayacht Scheherazade, allegedly owned by Vladimir Putin himself — have been seized.

But the world is bigger than Russia — and there are more billionaires than ever.

“The sanctions didn’t affect the industry as much as you might think,” said Bob Denison, a top American broker with new offices in Monaco. He said the orders for “new builds” in European shipyards that were canceled because the buyers were placed on sanction lists were quickly snapped up by others who weren’t.

The problem with the superyacht market today?

“There’s not enough superyachts,” said Jeremy Roche, one of Denison’s directors.

It costs 600 euros ($635) for a day pass to the Monaco Yacht Show. Many well-heeled lookie-loos have come this week to stroll along the blue-carpeted docks and bump into a champagne tent.

And by well-heeled, we mean it. You must take off your shoes to board boats at the show — even if you are the prince of Monaco. So high-end footwear is strewn in front of the gangways, the ubiquitous Gucci loafers jumbled together with sneakers from Dior and Balenciaga that will set you back about $1,000 per pair.

The number of real buyers — the whales — is harder to calculate. A sales rep estimated there might be one buyer for every 100 staff — that’s exhibitors, brokers, deckhands, hostesses, marketers, cleaners, security.

We got an invitation from a friendly publicist to take a tour of Phoenix 2, built by Lürssen shipyard in northern Germany. She’s 90 meters, or 295 feet, with room for 14 guests in seven cabins, attended by a crew of 28 — and on sale for $132 million.

The boat was designed for the “richest man in Poland,” the late Jan Kulczyk, who wanted the interior to resemble an art deco Manhattan penthouse. There’s an Empire State Building vibe, with a lot of black and white — plus a bourbon bar, lap pool, steam sauna, screening room, gym, wine cave, Steinway piano and duplex owners’ cabin.

Henry Smith, a partner at Cecil Wright brokerage, was showing the boat and happy to discuss the evolving market for superyachts — generally, boats more than 24 meters.

Three decades ago, a 40-meter yacht would have been gigantic, he said. Today, those are considered midsize. Of the roughly 1,200 superyachts on order in boatyards, about two dozen are more than 100 meters.

“Boats just get bigger and bigger, with prices going up and up,” he said. “The future looks bright.”

The pace of sales is down a bit from the records of the pandemic years, when the ultrarich sought out superyachts as safe havens. But Smith said this year is still good.

He and his brokerage recently oversaw the sale of superyacht Kismet, originally built for Pakistani American billionaire Shahid Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The boat was on the market for just three months and sold for 149 million euros ($157 million).

The buyers keep coming, but they are changing, the brokers say.

Traditionally, they have been multimillionaires — 99 percent male — who sell their businesses in their mid-60s and want some high-end downtime with family and friends. The trend now is younger, with younger families, who struck it rich, or as Smith called it, experienced “a big liquidity event.”

He said, “I took on a chap who made several billion very quickly,” who wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted, except that he really wanted … something big.

At the boat show, we learned that sometimes it’s impossible to accommodate everything you need on your superyacht.

Tenders — used to ferry owners and guests from ship to shore — have a low profile and can be stored aboard in what the yachting community calls “the garage.” Robert Oakley of Falcon Tenders will sell you Miss Wonderly for $2.19 million. It’s powered by a hybrid diesel-electric engine, which gives you one hour on electric in port. “Think limousine,” he said.

But where do you put the sub?

Ian Sheard, the engineering director of Seamagine, maker of private submarines, explained it to us.

“You got the big white boat, the superyacht, right?” Sheard said. “Then you need the toy hauler.”

Say again?

“The ‘shadow ship’ that follows the superyacht that has all the stuff you can’t fit on the superyacht.”

His submarines cost $4 million to $7 million and can carry two to seven passengers, with over 12,000 drama-free dives so far.

On our tours of superyachts, the guides often spoke of the boats’ “understated glamour.” But the glamour seemed bluntly stated, which was kind of the point?

Some interiors had a look and feel of a neutral-color Four Seasons. Others brought to mind a Vegas suite for a high-roller.

Aboard the $110 million Kensho, the publicist said that the owner (Udo Müller, chief executive of Ströer Media), wanted “a villa at sea.”

She described it as “more Zen, more calm.”

The kind of calm that three onboard bars might provide.

An older, smaller superyacht can be had for as little as $10 million — the price of an upscale home in Los Angeles or London. But if you are not ready to buy, many of the boats are used by their owners for only a few weeks in the high season and are otherwise available for charter.

To rent the Phoenix 2 costs a base price of $1.22 million per week. That doesn’t include fuel, food, drink, taxes, mooring and dock fees or tips — so call it $1.6 million. We had to ask a couple of times about the bill and were told to keep adding zeros.

It’s the fuel that gets you. A 50-meter yacht making a fast run between Monaco and St. Tropez might burn through $35,000 of diesel.

And even if you don’t go anywhere, a mooring ball or a slip at a primo port can cost thousands of dollars a night.

There was some talk at the Monaco Yacht Show about sustainability — about new green fuels, more gentle anchoring — but it was a sideshow.

Smith, the super broker, put it this way. “Green yachting is mostly a fallacy,” he said, adding, “no illusion, these things pollute.” Though you can mitigate the damage a bit.

He suggested anyone chartering a superyacht for a week “go out and plant a lot of trees.”

The client commented: “We are very excited to launch this Long Island 87 project. We found this yacht to be the perfect balance between performance under sail and functional living spaces. The Long Island 87 is the optimal proven blue water sailing catamaran available in the market today and well suited for our specific mission, to circumnavigate the globe with our family of four in unparalleled comfort, safety and luxury.”

JFA Yachts was established in March 1993 in Concarneau, Brittany, a region of France with a strong maritime history. The company’s ethos centers around collaborative yacht building, involving the client in the process rather than just building for them.

JFA Yachts distinguishes itself as a Boutique Shipyard, emphasizing expertise, craftsmanship, and a familial work environment. To date, the shipyard has completed nearly 30 new builds and 40 refit projects. Their portfolio includes both sailing and motor yachts, monohulls and multihulls, constructed from materials like aluminium and composite.

Regarding the new construction, the company added: “Based on the Long Island 85’ which already successfully sailed intensively, this new catamaran will be fitted with a modern superstructure and a larger flybridge.”

The new build is scheduled for a Summer 2025 delivery to its US owner.

A yacht charter offers an unforgettable vacation, be it a romantic getaway, family holiday, or gathering of friends. The first step to booking a luxury yacht charter is to contact a charter specialist who can help you find the best option depending on your intended destination and number of guests. A specialist can then help you hammer out the details, like mapping out an itinerary, making special requests, or planning theme nights.

Explore LEVERAGE, a 125-foot Palmer Johnson tri-deck superyacht that can accommodate ten guests in five luxury staterooms. She is available for charter in the Bahamas. Check out the top five features of this impressive charter yacht, as shared by her Captain, Wes Trowell.

1. Huge Sun Deck

First and foremost, Captain Wes highlighted LEVERAGE’s impressive sun deck. Boasting plenty of space, there are plenty of couch beds that can be shaded or not shaded. “People who want the sun can have it, and for people that don’t…we have the sunscreen,” he said. There is a Jacuzzi with a wrap-around bar, but it also has a lip where you can sit and have cocktails. “We have the NFL Ticket, which is huge,” he beamed.

2. Unmatched Location

Guests aboard LEVERAGE are lucky in that her captain is a seasoned vet in one of the top charter destinations in the world. “In the past five years, I’ve probably done about 120 charters in the Bahamas; it’s like my backyard,” boasted Captain Wes. “I like to take guests to the Exumas. They are one of the top spots, period, for charters to go to–tons of reefs, beach days, the pigs and iguanas, sharks, snorkeling, bonfires, fishing, water sports. When someone goes to the Exumas they get the entire nature experience.”

3. Impressive Upgrades

Captain Wes was excited to share the numerous upgrades that LEVERAGE has just recently received. In regards to water activities, she now features two brand new Seabobs, two new jet skis, and a brand new jet ski swimming dock that has a drop-down stairwell connected to it. There are also two tenders–a 20’ single-engine inflatable for remote areas and beach days and a 30’ twin-engine regulator. “There are no expenses spared on tenders and toys,” Captain Wes shared, “and we will add more per request, within reason.”

On the interior, LEVERAGE has new carpet throughout, all new soft goods, new bedding, table decorations, and so much more. “The woodwork inside is absolutely stunning,” he shared. With all-new navigation equipment and brand-new underwater lights, Captain Wes was even excited about the fact that the name board and underwater lights could be any color to suit the clients’ preferences.

4. Smart Layout

Even before all her upgrades, one of the most impressive features of LEVERAGE is easily her huge interior volume. “For a 125′, she’s probably one of the largest in this size,” Captain Wes highlights, “she feels more like a 140′; the layout is the number one reason for this.” Set up in a way that allows for a lot more space than expected, the yacht still feels “very homey”, he assured. Dining options also abound, with a large ten-top for indoor dining as well as ten-person seating outside.

5. Remarkable Crew

When it came to discussing his crew, Captain Wes was all accolades. “Our chef is Greek, so he makes all kinds of amazing foods–from Italian to Mediterranean to Greek. You name it he can produce it. My mate has tons of experience, from similar size vessels all the way up to very large vessels. The whole crew is very outgoing and caters to the guest experience. When we are chartering, we try to cater in every way possible to generate the five-star experience.”

LEVERAGE is a solid yacht with a very successful charter following, Captain Wes promised, having done many charters formerly known as MILK & HONEY. The yacht has chartered in New England, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean, he shared, with “many repeat charters because we provide such a great service.”

Interested in booking LEVERAGE for your next luxury getaway in the Bahamas? Contact a Denison charter broker for more information.

Speak With a Charter Specialist:

This article was featured on superyachttimes.com in September 2023 and was written by Sophie Spicknell.

The 33.3-metre Overmarine motor yacht DOPAMINE has entered the market with Alex G. Clarke of Denison Yachting. The yacht DOPAMINE, for sale, was custom ordered by an experienced yachtsman and is in turnkey condition for her new owner.

With her aggressive styling and exhilarating speed, the Mangusta GranSport 33 yacht DOPAMINE stands out from the crowd. The Italy-built Overmarine yacht for sale was delivered in 2021 and is sleek and stylish with elegant, powerful lines.

DOPAMINE is the second hull in the popular fast-displacement series and harmoniously blends stylish design with technical sophistication. She features a timeless elegance with sporty, sleek lines and exterior design by Alberto Mancini Yacht Design.

The yacht for sale offers guests 228 GT of interior space and lofty two-metre high ceilings throughout. Her ultra-modern and contemporary interior alludes to luxury while creating an air of simplicity and comfort with oversized windows and clever lighting solutions.

The open-plan saloon of DOPAMINE provides guests with an impressive sense of space and plenty of seating to relax. The saloon flows seamlessly into her dining area with seating for up to eight guests for a formal dining experience.

DOPAMINE is able to accommodate up to 12 guests across five staterooms with her full-beam 40 square-metre master stateroom located on the main deck. The room is characterised by distinctive wooden floors, illuminated by a golden hue of lights from underneath her furniture and a unique marble-lined ensuite bathroom.

The remaining guest staterooms include a VIP and two double staterooms as well as a twin, all of which are adorned with plush furnishings and ensuite bathrooms. DOPAMINE is also able to carry a professional crew of five across three cabins to tend to all of her guests’ needs.

The spacious sun deck of DOPAMINE comes complete with a bar and alfresco dining area, with her flybridge protected by a hardtop and extendable awning aft. This means that guests will always be able to enjoy lounging outside, regardless of the weather conditions.

The motor yacht for sale provides guests with direct access to the ocean from her extendable swim platform. Her beach club enables guests to reach the sea with folding steps and a supportive handrail that extends to easily guide them to and from the water.

DOPAMINE’s toy box is brimming with some of the latest toys and tenders, such as a Williams Jet Tender 505 with a 110 horsepower engine, a F5 Seabob, an electric foiling surfboard and a plethora of towables.

In terms of performance, DOPAMINE is able to voyage across extended distances and reach higher speeds comfortably. She is equipped with four Volvo Penta engines which provide her with a top speed of 25 knots and a comfortable cruising speed of 21 knots.

Working with Scott was great. He was professional, helpful, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond throughout the entire process. Though we were in different geographical areas, he effectively liaised with the sellers, coordinated our purchase, helped arrange the survey and sea trial, and was continually attentive and reachable.

Upon closing, my husband and I were planning our trip home to New York with our newly purchased boat and Scott thoughtfully sent us Waterway Guides in preparation for the journey. We are so glad we met Scott in this process and can’t recommend him enough–he knows boats and the industry intimately and anyone, buying or selling, would be lucky to work with him!

This article was featured onsuperyachttimes.com in September 2023 and was written by Enrico Chhibber.

The 52.5-metre Astillero Buquebus sailing yacht DOÑA FRANCISCA has entered the market, represented by David Johnson and Russ W. Schafer of Denison Yachting. The sailing yacht for sale is one of the largest yachts built in Latin America and also the largest carbon fibre schooner ever built.

Delivered in 2014, DOÑA FRANCISCA features exterior and interior design by Javier Soto Acebal, with naval architecture by Astillero Buquebus. Up to eight guests are accommodated onboard across four staterooms, and she also has accommodation for up to six crew members, including the captain.

The yacht for sale’s interior has a touch of a British gentleman’s club. The elegant and palatial saloon is adorned with exquisite wooden furnishings that grace its walls. Within this inviting space, you’ll find ample seating, featuring a generously-sized plush sofa and armchair arranged around a meticulously crafted coffee table. Adjacent to the seating area lies a dining space, complete with a table capable of accommodating up to 10 guests. The combination of a neutral-toned ceiling, light-toned wooden flooring, and darker-toned wooden furniture synergistically elevates the room’s elegance and sophistication.

The master suite on DOÑA FRANCISCA is located aft of the deckhouse, it is designed in a similar aesthetic to the saloon and contains a cosy reading nook by the window. Moreover, the stateroom features a spacious office area that is discreetly separated by a doorway. This design ensures utmost privacy for work, allowing the owner to work in complete comfort.

One of the distinctive features of the yacht DOÑA FRANCISCA for sale is its breathtaking galley. Adorned with mahogany panelling and complemented by cherry and chestnut flooring, it presents an absolutely stunning space. Furthermore, Doña Francisca boasts a shallower draft in comparison to other sailing yachts of similar length. This attribute enables her to navigate with greater ease through waters of varying depths. As for her exterior, she provides an idyllic al-fresco dining area featuring two L-shaped sofas and two dining tables. Guests can enjoy both sun protection under a roof and unobstructed views while dining.

The Astilleros Bequebis yacht for sale boasts a remarkable sailing performance with a top speed under sail at 17 knots.

This article was featured on yachtharbour.com in September 2023.

Denison Yachting has announced its exclusive listings of 26-meter Explorer Hull #2 and 37-meter Project Tempest from Aegean Yacht, represented by Denison yacht broker Pierre Badin. Hull #1 of the 26m Explorer is on display at the Cannes Yachting Festival, which was  launched in 2022. Hull #2 of this world cruiser is available for sale at EUR6,500,000, with delivery for the summer of 2024.

She has a steel hull with aluminum superstructure ensuring a stable ride and excellent handling while at sea. Thanks to general arrangement, she has up to six cabins, including three full-beam master suites, catering to 12 guests.

The standard configuration includes three almost identically sized “owner cabins” – ideal for use in charter – a VIP double as well as two twin berthed cabins, all with en suite facilities. An alternative layout allows for a generous sky lounge, replacing the bridge deck master stateroom.

Powered by two MAN 650 HP engines, she achieves a maximum speed of almost 13 knots, with a cruising speed of 11 knots. The yacht has a range of over 3,500 nautical miles, huge storage areas together with separate, and individual cabins for the four crew.

Project Tempest 37m is steel hulled with an aluminum superstructure; zero speed CMC stabilizers and unrestricted navigation compliance come as standard. She has a range of 3,000 nautical-mile, upgraded electrical and water systems, and the Hammam treatment plant allows for complete autonomy. Powered by two MAN 1,325 HP engines, she achieves a maximum speed of 16 knots, with a cruising speed of 13 knots. 

Tempest features a massive interior lounge area with huge windows and a full-beam owner’s suite including a private office with his and hers bathrooms all on the main deck. 

On the lower deck, two twins and two doubles allow for flexible guest arrangements and the fully floated interior guarantees minimal noise and vibration. Interior design is, of course, by Riza Tansu himself and showcases his laidback Beach House style. 

Currently under construction, Tempest is set to be completed in June 2025. Her asking price is EUR14,800,000.