Off-Market Superyacht Sales Hit 3-Year High as AI Boom Mints 400 New Billionaires
Updated
Updated · Business Insider · Aug 12
Off-Market Superyacht Sales Hit 3-Year High as AI Boom Mints 400 New Billionaires
1 articles · Updated · Business Insider · Aug 12
Summary
First-half 2026 superyacht sales reached a 3-year high, with off-market deals rising as newly wealthy buyers chase unlisted mega- and gigayachts through private broker networks.
The surge is being driven by the AI boom and gains in stocks and crypto, which helped create 400 billionaires this year and lifted the global total to a record 3,428.
Known off-market transactions are on track to rise about 5% from 2025, while Fraser Yachts estimates such deals have probably doubled since 2019 as buyers seek secrecy and exclusivity.
The strength is concentrated at the very top end: 2025 superyacht sales rose 12% to 442, and final asking prices for megayachts and gigayachts jumped 33% and 38%, respectively.
Brokers say demand remains strong despite worries about an AI-driven market reversal, with wealthy owners typically upgrading within about three years and treating yachts as status toys.