The 2026 Superyacht Index: The Brutal Economics of the 10% Rule
Marine Intelligence by CostsAZ Luxury Asset Team
The 2026 Superyacht Index: The Brutal Economics of the 10% Rule
Navigating the world’s most expensive asset class: From Lürssen Gigayachts to Sunseeker Charters.
A Superyacht is not an investment; it is a liability masquerading as art. In the hierarchy of global wealth, the private jet buys you time, but the yacht buys you privacy. However, the financial friction of maintaining a 60-meter vessel in 2026 has reached unprecedented levels. The historical “10% Rule” (expecting annual running costs to be 10% of the purchase price) is being challenged by rising crew salaries, complex hybrid propulsion maintenance, and “Billionaire Taxes” in Mediterranean ports.
For a UHNWI (Ultra High Net Worth Individual), the decision matrix is complex: Build new? Buy brokerage? Or charter seasonally? At CostsAZ.com, we have modeled the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the world’s top 30 vessel classes to provide clarity in an opaque market.
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Section 1: The Hull Hierarchy (Price per Meter)
The yard dictates the value. A 60m yacht built by Lürssen (Germany) or Feadship (Netherlands) holds value significantly better than a composite hull built in lower-tier yards.
| Shipyard Tier | Key Brands | Est. Price per GT (Gross Ton) | Annual Depreciation | Prestige Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Northern Europe) | Lürssen, Feadship, Oceanco | $65,000 / GT | 3-5% | 10.0 (Apex) |
| Tier 2 (Italian/Custom) | Benetti, Sanlorenzo, CRN | $45,000 / GT | 7-9% | 9.2 (Style) |
| Tier 3 (Production) | Sunseeker, Princess, Azimut | $30,000 / GT | 10-12% | 8.5 (Volume) |
| Tier 4 (Explorer/Refit) | Damen, Commercial Conversions | $25,000 / GT | Variable | 9.0 (Niche) |
Section 2: The Crew Payroll (The Biggest Line Item)
A 60m yacht requires 15-18 crew members. In 2026, the demand for qualified staff has driven salaries up.
Captain (60m+): $20,000 – $25,000 / month.
Chief Engineer: $15,000 / month.
Executive Chef: $12,000 / month.
Hidden Cost: Recruitment fees (one month salary), flights, uniforms, and food ($1,500/crew/month).
Section 3: Docking & Location Strategy
Where you park determines what you pay.
Monaco (Port Hercules): The most prestigious address. During the F1 Grand Prix, a Zone 1 berth can cost $150,000 for 4 days.
St. Tropez: High season daily rates exceed $3,000 for 50m+ vessels.
Antigua/St. Maarten: The winter hubs. Docking is cheaper, but provisioning (importing food/wine) carries a premium.
Section 4: The Charter Trap
Many owners attempt to offset costs by chartering.
The Reality: To be a successful charter yacht, you must invest heavily in “Toys” (slides, jet skis, seabobs) and marketing. The broker takes 15-20% commission. VAT (Value Added Tax) in Europe (20-22%) eats into margins. Chartering usually covers 60% of Opex, but rarely turns a profit on the asset itself.
Section 5: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)?
2. How much does it cost to fuel a 60m yacht?
3. What is the “Galley Rule”?
Lürssen Project 160 Price, Monaco Grand Prix Yacht Berth Cost, Hybrid Propulsion Yacht Maintenance, Crew Salary Guidelines 2026, Superyacht VAT Rules France vs Italy, Buying vs Chartering Superyacht Calculator, Best Marinas in Caribbean for Gigayachts, Shadow Vessel Costs, Submersible Toy Insurance, CostsAZ Marine Index.
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