Berthon International

19. Palma International Boat Show 2026 | Yacht Market Trends, Brokerage & Solaris Yachts

Back from Palma International Boat Show 2026, Tim Carbury and Alan McIlroy sit down to reflect on one of the Mediterranean yachting calendar’s most important events. Recorded just days after returning from Mallorca, this episode looks at the mood of the market, the atmosphere on the dock, and what Berthon observed across both brokerage and new yacht sales during the week. The discussion covers Berthon’s presence at the show, including the HH66 NO CODE [https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/hh-catamarans-hh66-no-code/], Spirit 76 NAZGUL OF FORDELL [https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/spirit-76-nazgul-of-fordell/], Swan 77 INVICTUS [https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/nautor-swan-77-invictus/], and the Solaris 50 [https://www.berthoninternational.com/new-yacht-sales/solaris-yachts/solaris-50/] and Solaris 64 RS [https://www.berthoninternational.com/new-yacht-sales/solaris-yachts/solaris-64-rs/], as well as wider observations from across the industry. Tim and Alan discuss whether footfall really felt lighter this year, why targeted enquiries still matter more than general crowds, and how Palma compares with shows such as Cannes and Düsseldorf. The conversation also explores: * the continued appetite for quality bluewater and performance cruising yachts * the growing confidence returning to parts of the market * why classic and modern-classic yachts continue to attract strong attention * the realities of exhibiting at major international boat shows * the importance of broker networking and industry visibility * and why Palma remains such an important event despite changing buyer behaviour There are also some behind-the-scenes reflections on the practical side of getting five yachts prepared and presented for an international show, alongside discussion around current brokerage trends, enquiry levels, and the state of the Mediterranean season as a whole. As Alan notes during the episode: “The dream is more alive when the boats are on the water and the sun’s out.” A relaxed and honest conversation from two brokers fresh off the dock in Palma.

18. Inside the Market - Yacht Sales Insights & Trends for April 2026 - Berthon International Yacht Brokerage

The 2026 sailing season is now properly underway, and with boats launching across Europe and the Mediterranean season beginning to gather pace, the market is starting to reveal where confidence, caution, and genuine activity currently sit. In this episode of Inside the Market, Ben Cooper and Alan McIlroy discuss the Top 7 Yacht Sales Insights for April 2026, drawing on conversations from across Berthon’s international offices in the UK, Spain, Sweden, and the USA. The picture, as ever, is mixed. General enquiry levels remain noticeably lower than this time last year, but the quality of enquiry has improved considerably. As Ben explains, “the people that you are talking to, those targeted enquiries, they’re quite focused and they want to buy boats.” Fewer casual browsers perhaps, but more serious buyers prepared to make decisions. One of the clearest trends emerging this spring is the pressure on the production yacht market between 40 and 60 feet. Buyers appear to be waiting for further price adjustments, even as the season begins. In a crowded marketplace, pricing and presentation are becoming more important than ever. At the other end of the spectrum, well-prepared quality yachts continue to attract strong interest. Bluewater cruisers and proven offshore brands remain particularly resilient. “There’s always a market for those well-presented quality marques that represent good value,” Alan notes, reflecting a trend being seen across multiple territories. The discussion also looks at the Palma International Boat Show, which Berthon has just returned from. While general footfall may have felt lighter than previous years, both Ben and Alan highlight that the show remains hugely important from a brokerage perspective, particularly for networking, getting brokers aboard yachts, and generating future sales conversations. As Alan puts it, “what we as an industry use Palma for really is to show other brokers the boats.” New yacht sales remain more measured overall, although there are signs of renewed confidence within the quality segment. Both Pegasus and Solaris are seeing more serious discussions beginning to develop again, particularly where buyers are looking for well-built, performance-oriented cruising yachts designed for long-term ownership. The episode also touches on broader regional differences. Sweden continues to see a highly active and liquid local market, while elsewhere some owners are choosing to hold onto their yachts for another season rather than bring them to market after investing in spring preparation and refit work. As always, the fundamentals remain remarkably consistent. High quality yachts, properly presented and realistically priced, continue to find buyers, even in a more selective marketplace. Key Points • The 2026 sailing season is now underway, with activity increasing across all Berthon territories  • Enquiry levels are lower than in 2025, but conversion rates are significantly stronger  • Production yachts in the 40–60 foot segment remain under pricing pressure  • Palma Boat Show delivered focused, high-quality brokerage interest despite lighter footfall  • Sweden and parts of Northern Europe continue to show strong local market activity  • New yacht sales are showing signs of renewed confidence in the premium segment  • Well-presented, high-quality yachts continue to sell at sensible price levels

17. UK VAT for Yachts Explained: Is the UK a Strategic Cruising Choice? | PKF Francis Clark & Berthon International Yacht Brokerage

About VAT – Is The UK A Strategic Cruising Choice? | PKF Francis Clark VAT is one of the most discussed, and often misunderstood, areas of yacht ownership. In this episode of the Berthon Podcast, we take a closer look at whether the UK has become a genuinely strategic cruising choice from a tax and customs perspective. Joining the conversation is Joe Francis, Director of VAT and Customs at PKF Francis Clark. With more than 20 years’ experience across a range of sectors, including marine, Joe brings a clear and practical view on how VAT is being applied in today’s post-Brexit landscape. The starting point is simple. As Joe explains, “If the rules are applied correctly, the UK should offer multiple well-defined routes to manage VAT and customs exposure.” What follows is a detailed but accessible discussion on how those routes actually work in practice. Temporary Admission remains one of the most important tools available to yacht owners entering UK waters. With the time limit now extended to 24 months, it offers a straightforward way for many non-UK flagged vessels to cruise without triggering import VAT, provided the conditions are met. The conversation also explores some of the more nuanced areas that owners and brokers regularly encounter. One example is the commonly used “12-mile dip”. While this is generally accepted from a customs perspective to reset Temporary Admission, Joe highlights that it may not always qualify as a valid export for VAT purposes. As he puts it, “they may not accept that as an export for VAT purposes,” which can create significant exposure if relied upon incorrectly. Returned Goods Relief is another area covered in detail. While it can allow a vessel to re-enter the UK without triggering VAT, the conditions are strict, particularly around maintaining the vessel in the same condition. Even relatively routine work can fall into a grey area, making early planning and proper documentation essential. For commercially operated yachts, the position shifts again. Temporary Admission is generally not available, but alternative reliefs may apply, particularly where vessels are providing passenger transport. In some cases, this can allow operations to continue in UK waters without a formal import, depending on how the activity is structured. The discussion also touches on one of the least understood areas of the current framework, Unfettered Access Relief under the Northern Ireland protocol. While complex, it can offer unique advantages in certain scenarios, including the ability to move vessels into Great Britain without triggering import VAT, although not without trade-offs. As the episode makes clear, the UK’s VAT and customs position has evolved into something far more structured and, in many cases, advantageous. However, the detail matters. As Joe explains throughout, “you’ve got to plan it out,” because getting it wrong can result in significant and unnecessary cost. This is a practical conversation around real scenarios, offering clarity on a topic that continues to shape buying, selling, and cruising decisions across the market. PKF Francis Clark [https://www.pkf.co.uk/] Specialist VAT and tax advice for yacht owners, brokers and marine businesses. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

16. Inside the Market - Yacht Sales Insights & Trends for March 2026 - Berthon International Yacht Brokerage

March brings a complex backdrop for the yachting industry, with global uncertainty continuing to influence buyer confidence and decision-making. In this episode of Inside the Market, we take a closer look at the yacht brokerage landscape as it stands heading into the spring season. Joining the discussion are Sue Grant and Tim Carbury, who share Berthon’s Top 7 Yacht Sales Insights for March 2026. This episode also marks a transition within the business, as Tim prepares to take over leadership of the sales group, with Sue stepping away after many years at the centre of Berthon’s brokerage activity. Across the market, conditions remain mixed. The new yacht sector is currently flat, with a noticeable slowdown in buyer activity. Rising build costs and wider economic pressures are leading some buyers to delay decisions, while others are shifting their focus towards brokerage yachts, where the gap in value between new and second-hand vessels has widened significantly. In contrast, the brokerage market continues to show steady activity. Sales are completing across a range of sectors, particularly in larger yachts and well-presented, recent listings. While enquiry levels vary by region, there is a consistent flow of transactions, supported by both new listings coming to market and committed buyers who are prepared to move forward when the right opportunity presents itself. Pricing and negotiation remain central to the current landscape. Buyers are approaching deals carefully and often making firm offers, but there is a clear willingness to proceed when agreements are reached. This has created a relatively balanced environment, where neither buyers nor sellers hold a decisive advantage. There are also differences in sentiment across the industry. While parts of the new yacht sector are experiencing more challenging conditions, the brokerage market remains active and responsive. As discussed in the episode, understanding these distinctions and responding accordingly is key to navigating the current environment. At the same time, some buyers continue to monitor the market rather than commit immediately, often waiting for greater clarity around geopolitical and economic conditions. However, as the conversation highlights, purchasing decisions in yachting are frequently driven by personal timelines as much as external factors, and interest in yacht ownership remains consistent. As ever, the fundamentals remain unchanged. Well-maintained yachts, realistic pricing, and clear market positioning continue to determine which yachts sell and which remain available. Key Points • The new yacht market is currently flat, with some buyers delaying decisions or moving into brokerage due to rising build costs.  • Brokerage activity remains steady, particularly in larger yachts and recent, well-presented listings.  • New listings are entering the market, with a mix of discretionary and necessary sales.  • Buyers are negotiating firmly but are following through when deals are agreed.  • Market sentiment varies across sectors, with brokerage remaining more active than new build.  • Some buyers are monitoring conditions closely before committing, influenced by wider geopolitical and economic uncertainty.  • Strong pricing, good presentation, and proper service history remain critical to achieving a successful sale.

15. MCA Category 0 Explained: The Story Behind Grey Wolf II, the FPB 78 Built to Go Anywhere - Berthon International Yacht Brokerage

In this episode we step aboard the remarkable Grey Wolf II (FPB 78-2) to explore a subject that is rarely discussed outside professional circles: MCA Category 0 certification, the highest operational coding available under the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Owner Peter Watson joins the conversation to explain why he insisted that she be built and operated to this demanding standard, even though it created extra work for the designer, the shipyard, and almost everyone involved in the project. Grey Wolf II is the only FPB yacht in the fleet to hold MCA Category 0 coding, allowing her to operate commercially anywhere in the world, without restriction to distance from a safe haven. For Peter, however, the motivation was not charter income. The goal was much simpler: safety and capability. As Peter explains, the MCA code has evolved over decades and incorporates lessons learned about stability, structural integrity, systems redundancy, and operational procedures. Achieving Category 0 status means a yacht has been designed and equipped to meet an extremely high standard of offshore safety. The discussion also looks at the new MCA coding requirements being introduced for 2027, which significantly raise the bar for vessels seeking or maintaining commercial certification. Grey Wolf II is currently being updated to meet the revised standard, a process that involves both physical upgrades and extensive documentation. Some of the modifications include replacing existing composite seacocks with custom stainless steel valves, installing additional electrical redundancy to ensure navigation lights remain operational even during total power loss, and adding new system shut-off controls and operational protocols. Beyond the engineering work, the updated code also introduces new administrative requirements, from cyber security policies to expanded safety management documentation. While the upgrades themselves are manageable for a yacht built with serious offshore capability in mind, the paperwork required to demonstrate compliance is considerable. Grey Wolf II’s ability to pass the new standards relatively smoothly is also a testament to the original design philosophy behind the FPB series and the work carried out during her construction in New Zealand in collaboration with designer Steve Dashew. Having already cruised extensively across the Pacific, visited remote regions including Antarctica, and completed long-distance voyages in both tropical and polar environments, she has proven herself as a genuine go-anywhere expedition yacht. Her next adventure: a family holiday, a Mediterranean cruising season, travelling through the islands of Greece with children and grandchildren aboard. It is a reminder that despite her formidable capability, she remains at heart a family cruising yacht, equally comfortable exploring the polar regions or enjoying relaxed voyages in the Mediterranean. In a world where many yachts are built for appearance or occasional coastal cruising, she stands apart as a vessel designed, built, and certified to operate anywhere on the planet. Episode 11. Grey Wolf FPB78-2 Adventures from the Pacific to Antarctica – Building the Ultimate Expedition Yacht - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2528535/episodes/18323395 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2528535/episodes/18323395] Inside the FPB 78 GREY WOLF II MCA Category 0 Seacock Refit | Owner Interview - https://youtu.be/t4KlacOkbO4 [https://youtu.be/t4KlacOkbO4] Inside the FPB 78 GREY WOLF II MCA Category 0 Seacock Refit | Walkthrough Tour - https://youtu.be/reEV2V16IKU [https://youtu.be/reEV2V16IKU]