It’s no secret that yacht owners are getting younger. Research from Italian shipyard Rossinavi and the University of Monaco suggests the average age of a superyacht owner will drop to between 35 and 40 in the next decade, meaning millennials could come to dominate the market. Some yards have already started to notice the change and are acting accordingly. 

“We are seeing a gradual shift toward a younger client profile compared to the traditional yacht owner,” Nick Hatfield, managing director of Sanlorenzo U.K., tells Robb Report. “This reflects a broader trend across the sub‑78-foot leisure yachting sector, where a new generation of ultrahigh-net-worth (UHNW) and high-net-worth (HNW) clients is approaching yachting with different expectations.”

This next generation has been a subject of discussion in boardrooms and design studios for some time, but it is starting to become clearer exactly what young owners want. “These buyers tend to prioritise versatility, ease of use, and a strong connection with the sea, often favouring yachts that support shorter, more frequent trips and a more active lifestyle rather than traditional cruising patterns,” explains Hatfield. 

The youngins also want a yacht that is design-forward and reflective of their taste. “We sit down and start designing these boats for younger clients, and we see similar trends,” says Fraser Yachts CEO Anders Kurtén. “Basically, they all want to live their shore-based lives on a yacht.” These new owners are big fans of open spaces by the water, too, with yards like Benetti creating features like the Oasis Deck to facilitate alfresco living.

Hatfield says Bluegame, in particular, is becoming popular with the new wave of owners. Founded by former Olympic sailor Luca Santella in 2002, then acquired by Sanlorenzo in 2018, the Italian brand is known for creating “crossovers,” often described as SUVs of the seas, that blend a superyacht’s space and style with a motor yacht’s agility and utility. 

“The BGX63 and BGX73 are generating significant attention, while the BG54 continues to be a bestseller, serving as a strong entry point into the brand for clients seeking a high‑performance, highly functional yacht under 78 feet,” Hatfield adds. 

One 40-year-old based in South Africa, who requested to remain anonymous, recently splashed out on a BGX63 after owning several smaller boats in the 28–37 foot range. He and his family considered other yachts by D’Antonio, Sunseeker, and Pardo, but ultimately decided on Bluegame. 

“Prior to purchase, we attended many boat shows and climbed on and inside pretty much every boat in the 50–70 foot range,” he says. “In a sea of ordinary yacht design, Bluegame stood out because its yachts are distinctive and beautiful to look at.”

The owner was won over by the BGX63’s large beach club and Italian styling. The fact that the 66-foot yacht is compact yet spacious was also a major draw, given that he plans to take his wife and three teenage children on holidays to the Med. “We wanted the three cabins, but not a boat too large to manage ourselves without crew,” he notes. “The BGX63 straddles this well and can have crew if required in the future.” It can carry a large tender, too, which was one of the owner’s requirements. “Our boys love watersports, and now we have a tender capable of towing them wakeboarding, which has been fun.”

As the model is semi-custom, the owner could pick between two layouts and customize certain areas. “We really like having the upstairs galley and dining along with the lower salon,” he explains. “These two distinct relaxing areas give us space so we don’t feel like we are all on top of each other, and it’s great if some want to watch TV while others relax upstairs.” Semi-custom is, of course, cheaper and quicker to build than full bespoke, making a smart, low-stress entry point into yacht ownership. 

Beyond the yachts themselves, the yards are working hard to secure younger clients, with more hand-holding during the sale process and build period than ever before. In the case of Sanlorenzo, the builder has just opened a new showroom in the center of London, meaning budding entrepreneurs can walk in off Mayfair’s Park Lane and sit down with a specialist to discuss buying their first yacht. The market isn’t just becoming more accessible to this younger cohort of wealthy individuals; it is actually changing for them.