How Superyacht Buyers Are Changing: Age, Priorities & Design Trends in 2026

Bahar O.

I recently came across an interview with Toby Moore, CEO of Informa Prestige — the group behind the Monaco Yacht Show, BOAT International, Top Marques, and Art Monte-Carlo — and his take on today's superyacht buyer is worth sharing.

A few things stood out:

The buyers are getting younger, and sharper. The average age has dropped from around 60 to closer to 50, driven largely by millennial and Gen Z tech founders. This isn't just a generational handover — it's a different mindset. These buyers grew up questioning things, and they bring that same scrutiny to yachting. Vague promises about luxury don't cut it anymore; they want real numbers on carbon footprint, fuel efficiency, YETI scores, and running costs.

The "why" behind ownership has shifted too. For a long time, a yacht was about being seen — parked in the right harbor, at the right time. That's fading. Owners now think of their yacht less as a trophy and more as a tool: somewhere they can actually work from (with the satellite connectivity to prove it), somewhere they can disappear with family, somewhere they can actually go.

And the boats themselves are catching up. Long-range "pocket explorer" vessels are having a moment. So are modular beach clubs and what you might call wellness architecture — biohacking rooms, circadian lighting, onboard spas. Design is following demand, not the other way around.

As Moore put it: "It's not just a generational change; it's a cultural one."

You can read the full interview on the Monaco Yacht Show website.

Photo: Monaco Yacht Show