It is a changing year for yachting, says CEO of YPI

“It is a changing year for yachting,” says Philippe Hetland Brault a director and new-build broker with the 157-year old shipbroking group, BRS, and as CEO of YPI.

He adds, “I now have the advantage of being able to see how both industries work. The MLC 2006 is spearheading the alignment of yachting with shipping, and with YPI now a wholly-owned subsidiary of BRS, I have never been more convinced that those who stand to benefit the most, and rightly so, are our clients.”
The average length of yacht sold so far this year was 36 metres. The biggest sale is 78 metres. The largest launch was 180 metres. “

“These are large vessels underlining the fact that yachting is no longer a cottage business,” says Philippe Hetland Brault.

He continues, “I believe the yachting industry stands to benefit a lot from the best practice, experience and know-how that has been developed, tried and tested in the industry they call the world’s first global business: shipping.”
Recent YPI sales of the 42m Baglietto, Oxygen and the 30m Benetti, Salve, bring the number of yachts sold worldwide so far this year to 104 – that is up over 10% on this time last year, with the average size of yacht sold (36 metres) and the asking price (€7.68M) also up for the period.
“There is a lot of activity right now,” says YPI Director of Sales, Russell Crump. “We are starting to see the first signs of more quality product being sold than is coming up for sale. It’s pretty much the first time that has happened since 2008.”
According to industry observer Raphael Montigneaux of Boat International, the average age of yacht sold so far this year is 12 years, proof once again that age in itself is not as important when it comes to selling your yacht as brand and overall condition.
Built in 2009 to ABS class and immaculately maintained by her owner, the 42m Baglietto Oxygen was sold by YPI Sales & New Construction broker Matt Albert who acted for the buyer.
Displaying a clever and innovative design with optimised exterior deck space to rival that of any 50m yacht, the yacht is MCA compliant and sleeps up to 11 guests.