Report: Superyacht sales sail ahead in 2015

It’s smooth sailing ahead for the mega-wealthy, as global sales of superyachts took off last year.

Sales of boats larger than 24 meters climbed 40% in 2015, according to The 2016 Wealth Report issued by London-based property agency Knight Frank. The increased follows a 35% rise in 2014 – thanks in part to plummeting oil prices over the past two years.

With the increase in sales came a shift in lifestyle, according to the report. Sailing destinations broke off from the traditional watery playgrounds of the Mediterranean and Caribbean to less familiar hideaways in Asia and the Antarctic.

“In a world where many UHNWIs (ultra high-net-worth individuals) are cash rich yet time poor, yachting continues to provide the ultimate sanctuary for privacy and an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends,” read the report, which cited underrepresentation of superyacht ownership in North America and Asia.

More than 450 mega-yachts were sold in 2015, worth a combined value of over $3 billion, according to yacht brokers Camper & Nicholsons International.

One quarter of the yacht sales fell into the elite category of those larger than 40 meters, with three quarters of sales in the 24 to 40-meter range. The number of yachts sold above 40 meters rose 7% last year, according to Camper & Nicholsons.

Motor yachts outpaced sales of traditional sailboats, which saw numbers decline by 7.7% last year.

The largest motor yacht sold in 2015 was the 134 meter Serene, and the largest sailing yacht sold was the 52 meter Red Dragon.

Last year, Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko enlisted French designer Philippe Starck to oversee the reported $450 million design of the project “Sailing Yacht A.”

Initial designs for the 143-meter behemoth called for three masts, each taller than the Statue of Liberty and as long as one-and-a-half American football fields.

Water toys to float your boat —

For the superyacht owner willing to spend tens of millions of dollars on their luxury vessel, the question arises -- why stop with the boat?
As the Monaco Yacht Show launches this week, we take a look at the increasing number of high-tech water toys being offered alongside opulent superyachts.
From personal submarines, to walking speedboats, these techy toys will line up beside the mammoth yachts at the prestigious boat show, running from September 23 to September 26. Here are some of the best.

Deepflight Dragon: It might appear like a futuristic racing car, but the Deepflight Dragon (pictured) is a two-person electric submersible able to plunge 120 meters beneath the waves.
And it could be yours -- for a mere $1.5 million.

Iguana Yachts —

The fun needn't stop on land, with this eye-catching speedboat able to "walk" out of the water thanks to its two hydraulic "legs."
The Iguana Yacht can travel for around 800 meters on dry land and is intended for entering and exiting waterfront properties, rather than extended road journeys.

Triton Submarine —

Less of a toy, this is more a serious deep sea exploration machine. In 2013 the Triton Submarine captured a giant squid on camera, during an expedition to the bottom of the ocean.
Available in 11 different models, the sub can plunge anywhere between 300 meters and 11,000 meters under water -- with prices ranging between $2.35 million and $4.89 million.

Kormaran —

It's difficult to pin down what exactly the Kormaran is -- with the flick of a switch it can transform into a monohull, katamaran, trimaran, and even bathing platform for swimming.

U-Boat Worx —

This submersible comes in a wide range of models -- from one to five person vessels, able to plunge anywhere between 100 meters and 300 meters below the water's surface.
A heavy duty research sub is also available which is able to dive 1,700 meters underwater and includes increased space for scientific equipment.

Size matters —

As the name suggests, the Monaco Yacht Show isn't just about state-of-the-art water toys. This is where some of the biggest -- and most expensive -- yachts in the world go on show to prospective buyers.

Water works —

This will be the 25th edition of the boat show, with 121 superyachts on display, and over 33,000 visitors expected over three days.

Luxury line up —

The total value of the superyachts on show, is estimated at €3 billion ($3.38 billion).

Bird's-eye view —

Here, a drone offers a bird's-eye view of the luxurious superyachts which this year have an average price of €25 million ($28 million).

San Lorenzo —

There will be 500 exhibitors in Monaco, including Italian shipbuilders San Lorenzo who have been creating luxury yachts since the 1950s. Today, their hefty range of superyachts are able to traverse the planet's most extreme environments.
Italy has the largest number of shipyards taking part in the show, with 43% of all yachts hailing from the country.

Doryan —

Dubbed the "Lady in Red" by promoters, the Baltic 116 Doryan harks back to a classic sailboat design. At over 35 meters long, the elegant vessel can accommodate 12 guests.

Amels —

Meet "Madam Kate," the latest offering from yacht builders Amels. The 60-meter-long boat features a pearlescent finish which sparkles in the sunlight.

Southern Wind —

This sleek racer-cruiser yacht, called "Lady G," is just under 30 meters long, and was built by the South African-based Southern Wind shipyard.

G-Yachts —

Italian-based shipbuilders, G-Yachts, will have three superyachts on show, including the 37-meter Harun (pictured). The lavish vessel features two jacuzzis and can accommodate 12 guests.

Monaco Yacht Show 2015: Must-have toys and showstopper superyachts

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