Sailing off into the sunset and away from the woes and worries of life on land might seem like a cliché, but it became a reality for more people than ever during the altered times of Covid-19. The pandemic prompted a seize-the-day mentality across the world, which has brought about record-breaking yacht sales. “I’ve been amazed in the last two years at how many first-time buyers are entering the market,” says Ian Sherwood, sales broker at Burgess, adding that there has been a renewed zest for yachting all around. “I’ve seen clients who have been owners for a long time and split their yachting among their other vacations and commitments, who are now very excited and keen to be yachting again.”
Parallel to this, there has been an uptick in the number of first-time charterers. Yachts have been the ultimate safe haven during the worst of the pandemic. It’s hard to imagine a better bubble than a boat, particularly one with all the bells and whistles to act as a moveable private resort when actual resorts were too crowded or closed – or going ashore required insurmountable red tape.
These days, designers are being challenged to accommodate prolonged stints on board and new sensibilities on how a yacht will be used, including as an office or
