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See what our happy customers are saying.

“My Selene 80 Ocean Explorer ticks all the boxes! We like fishing offshore and Howard Chen has beautifully extended the cockpit, adding working space, waterline and speed to this powerful fishing machine. I am also delighted with the very professional layout of the engine room with its twin Cummins and two generators. Hydraulic windlass, stabilizers and thrusters were also a must in my view. The bespoke interior general arrangements is also perfectly adjusted to our family lifestyle… South-East Asia, the Celebes sea, Torres straight, Australia and the Pacific Ocean are definitely on my bucket list!”

“Ever since I stepped aboard my first Selene, I knew there was something special about these yachts. You can see and feel the passion in the craftsmanship, and the woodwork is just breathtaking. What truly impressed me was the strength and stability of the yacht out in open water. And the fact that I could tailor some of the interiors to my liking? That was the cherry on top. Every voyage just feels like a dream.”

“We've had our fair share of experiences with different yachts, but Selene stands out. The Caribbean trip we took last summer was nothing short of luxurious. The decks, the interiors, the entire build screams quality. And I must say, getting our yacht delivered faster than expected was a delightful surprise. If you're looking for the perfect blend of comfort and adventure, Selene is where you find it.”

“We've had our fair share of experiences with different yachts, but Selene stands out"

Selene has a 25 year tradition of building elegant long range cruising trawlers for active adventures. Selene Yachts Americas is dedicated to connecting you with a Selene customized to meet your requirements and getting you on the water for experiences of a lifetime.

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We are the Selene Distributor for North America covering the US, Canada and Mexico.

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A Trawler combines a more comfortable ride due to it's heavy full displacement hull and fuel efficiency that enables long-range cruising capability.

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4 best bluewater cruisers of 2022

• Toby Hodges
• March 28, 2022

Thinking of heading off on a world-girdling cruise or just want to cross oceans in style? Here's the best bluewater cruisers of 2022 that will help you se off on a new life at sea

The results are in from the European Yacht of the Year Awards as the judges have announced their top four bluewater cruisers of 2022.

The European Yacht of the Year awards are well regarded as the definitive yacht awards in the world a variety of categories are judged by the panel from best luxury cruisers , to best family cruisers to performance yachts .

But for those looking to liveaboard their yacht, making plans to do some ocean crossings, or looking to undertake some long distance passage making, the best bluewater cruisers will likely be the category that draws the eye.

There were a brilliantly diverse and interesting collection of new designs for this category – a celebration of French ingenuity. For those planning long term cruising, would you choose a robust aluminium build for higher latitudes sailing, shoal draught to tuck into the shallows (a mix of both?), sustainable living or reliable comfort, or the ability to log sustained high speeds to outrun weather systems? This selection gives you all those choices and more.

Best bluewater cruisers of 2022

The new flagship Allures 51.9, for example, is a no-nonsense adventure cruising design built and finished to a high standard. It retains Allures’ niche of using aluminium hulls with glassfibre decks and superstructures, which, the yard maintains, gives the optimum combination of least maintenance and less weight higher up. Priorities for this design were a full beam aft cabin and a spacious, long cockpit. Both are excellent, with the latter, at 6m long, offering formidable social, sailing and aft deck zones.

It likes some breeze to come to life on the wheel, but I appreciate that it’s designed to take up to five tonnes payload. And I like the ease with which you can change gears using the furling headsails and the positioning of the powerful Andersen winches inboard. The arch is standard and comes with a textile sprayhood or hard bimini.

Below decks you’ll find abundant headroom and natural light, a deep U-shape galley and cavernous stowage. For those who like the layout of the Amel 50 but would prefer aluminium or shoal draught, look no further.

Allures 51.9 price: €766,000

The Ovni 370 is another cunning new aluminum centreboard offering, a true deck saloon cruiser for two. The designers say the biggest challenge was to create a Category A ocean going yacht at this size with a lifting keel, hence the hull had to be very stable.

Enjoyable to helm, it has a practical, deep cockpit behind a large sprayhood, which can link to the bimini on the arch. Many of its most appealing features lie in the bright, light, contemporary, clever, voluminous interior, which has good stowage and tankage allocation. There’s also a practical navstation, a large workroom and a vast separate shower. I particularly like the convertible saloom, which can double as a large secure daybed or pilot berth.

Potentially the least expensive Category A lift keel boat available, the Ovni will get you dreaming of remote places again.

Ovni 370 price: €282,080

There’s no shortage of spirit in the Windelo 50. We gave this a sustainability award after it’s founders spent two years researching environmentally-friendly composite materials, developing an eco-composite of basalt fibre and recycled PET foam so it could build boats that halve the environmental impact of standard glassfibre yachts.

The Windelo 50 is an intriguing package – from the styling, modular interior and novel layout to the solar field on the roof and the standard electric propulsion, it is completely fresh.

Windelo 50 price: €795,000

Best bluewater cruiser of 2022 – Outremer 55

I would argue that this is the most successful new production yacht on the market. Well over 50 have already sold (an equipped model typically costs €1.6m) – and I can understand why. After all, were money no object, I had this design earmarked as the new yacht I would most likely choose for a world trip.

Indeed 55 number one Sanya, was fully equipped for a family’s world cruise, and left during our stay for the Grand Large Odyssey tour. Whereas we sailed Magic Kili, which was tricked up with performance options, including foam-cored deckheads and supports, carbon crossbeam and bulkheads, and synthetic rigging.

At rest, these are enticing space ships. Taking one out to sea is another matter though. These are speed machines with the size, scale and loads to be rightly weary of. Last month Nikki Henderson wrote a feature for us about how to manage a new breed of performance cruising cats just like this and how she coaches new owners. I could not think of wiser money spent for those who do not have ample multihull sailing experience.

Under sail, the most fun was obviously reserved for the reaching leg under asymmetric, where we clocked between 11-16 knots in 15-16 knots wind. But it was the stability and of those sustained low teen speeds which really hit home  – passagemaking where you really cover miles.

Key features include the swing helms, which give you views from outboard, over the coachroof or from a protected position in the cockpit through the coachroof windows, and the vast island in the galley, which is key to an open plan main living area. It helps provide cavernous stowage and acts as the heart of the entertaining space as it would in a modern home. As Danish judge Morten Brandt-Rasmussen comments: “Apart from being the TGV of ocean passages the boat offers the most spacious, open and best integration of the cockpit and salon areas in the market.”

Outremer has done a top job in packing in the creature comforts, stowage space and payload capacity, while keeping it light enough to eat miles. Although a lot to absorb and handle, the 55 offers a formidable blend of speed and luxury cruising.

Outremer 55 price: €1.35m

Best luxury yacht: 7 ultimate luxury cruisers you can buy

The definition of the best luxury yacht will differ according to personal opinion and from boat to boat. This year’s…

Best yacht 2023: European yacht of the year winners

The European Yacht of the Year programme is a highlight of my year as it gives us  jury members the…

Best family yacht: our pick of the best yachts for sailing with the family

There are many categories in the European Yacht of the Year awards, from the best luxury yachts to performance yachts. But some of…

Best performance yachts: Our pick of the top options

The European Yacht of the Year awards is the most thorough and impartial awards programme – the winners here are…

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Long cruises through uncharted territory are this yacht type's specialty. A yacht built to this style is meant to tackle everything from the icy waters of the Arctic to the rough waves of the South Pacific in monsoon season. Sturdy and constructed with a reinforced steel hull in most designs, this style of yacht is perfect for a family of explorers looking for their next adventure.

The curved bottom displacement hull gives you sleeping and cooking areas that are as large as any you would find in your home. Long range cruisers don't need much engine power to get moving, so smaller motors and less fuel is required which can extend your sea faring trip.

Often called semi-displacement vessels, long range cruisers aren't known for their speed. Yet due to their hull design, they are known for being fuel efficient per nautical mile. Designed for longer trips, trawlers are the ultimate cruising vessel, whether you are out at the open sea or a lake.

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Small Boats for Offshore Fishing

• By Sport Fishing Staff
• Updated: March 28, 2024

What is the minimum size boat for offshore fishing? The answer depends on who you ask. The challenge and your budget are the two biggest reasons for fishing from a small offshore boat. Many cite the unique satisfaction of taking on the ocean to fish it on their own terms, knowing they have the boat, the knowledge and the ability to get out there, catch some good fish and get back.

“There’s definitely the excitement of being out there in a small boat where you’re in control and doing your own thing,” said Angelo Cuanang, a West Coast offshore fishing writer and expert who regularly fishes off San Francisco Bay. He’s done so for many years — all in a 17-foot Boston Whaler Montauk. Being unsinkable, the Whaler is one of the best small boats for ocean fishing.

One school of thought from skilled mariners actually considers a smaller hull advantageous in large swells. Tom King, once a professional mate in Massachusetts, for years made the 20-plus-mile run to fish Stellwagen Bank aboard his 19-foot Midland (“a Nova Scotia-style hull,” he said, with a very high bow and very low freeboard). “We came home riding on top of the big seas like an eggshell, while much bigger sport-fishing boats were having a tough time rolling in the swells.”

For purposes of this discussion, let’s focus on saltwater fishing boats with a minimum size ranging from 17 to 22 feet in length overall (LOA). A boat this size has an element of responsiveness that much larger hulls lose. In addition to being a criterion for offshore fishing, this size range also offers the best small boats for rough seas. Of course, rough seas are relative, and distance from shore often dictates the decision to go or not go.

Offshore Boating Benefits of Small Fishing Boats

Besides the challenge, downsized boats are less expensive and easy to tow on the road than king-size boats. Small boats can also be easier to handle and dock in tight quarters, though features such as joystick controls on larger boats are making low-speed maneuvers easier for skippers of large boats.

Start comparing costs of purchase, insurance, moorage or storage, maintenance and so on for a 30-foot center-console with those of a 22-footer. Then of course there are fuel costs. At today’s prices, a day fishing a 30-footer with twin 300 hp outboards can cost you in the high hundreds of dollars, if not more than $1,000. But you can run offshore and troll all day in a boat such as the Robalo R222 (21 feet 6 inches LOA) or Sea Chaser 22 HFC (21 feet 9 inches LOA) with a single 200 or 250 hp outboard for a few hundred or less.

Lots of anglers trailer their boats 50 to 100 miles at the drop of a hat. Compare hauling a double- or triple-axle trailer behind a ¾- to 1-ton pickup versus a lighter, single- or double-axle trailer behind a half-ton pickup — and there’s even more economy.

Small-Boat Knowledge, Ability and Common Sense

There’s no federal regulation stating that “Thou shalt not take thy boat and go (offshore),” and in fact the Coast Guard only has authority in a few places to prevent boaters from going where they want, a Coast Guard spokesman said. To go or not to go is not the question. Rather, focus on knowing your small boat, recognizing when to go or not, and with what gear and preparation.

Accident reports often retell scenarios where anglers in small boats perished before the Coast Guard could reach them. Often these are cases where knowing the boat and having the right equipment could have saved lives. Experience often makes a major difference when it comes to safety. Anglers who know what the ocean can dish out and respect that power choose to err on the side of caution, and do not scrimp on safety gear .

Many who skipper such mighty mites far from land tend to be independent by nature. Still, many make it a point to travel offshore with another boat — known as “buddy boating”— when possible, small or large, which in effect offers a second engine.

Whether or not you have a buddy going with you, be sure to file a float plan before you leave. That can be as simple as making sure someone back on land knows when you plan to depart and return, and where — in general — you expect to fish.

The Right Boat: Moderate Vees and Hard Chines

What is the best small boat for offshore fishing? There are plenty of 17- to 22-footers for fishing bays, channels or flats. But if you plan to run offshore, you’ll need to investigate construction, quality and design.

That said, some bay boats such as the Pathfinder 2200 TE (22 feet 2 inches LOA) or Sea Born FX22 Bay Sport (21 foot 9 inches LOA) offer offshore fishing capability , as well as the ability to sneak into shallow inshore waters.

Still, there can be no doubt that with the specialized demands of offshore fishing, not all small hulls are created equal. When it comes to hull design, opinions vary — suggesting competent small hulls might come in more than one style.

A modified V rather than the deep V common on larger center consoles ranks as the top choice among experts looking for the optimal small planing hull for big water. While the steeper deadrise angle of up to 26 degrees at the transom offers the softest ride through waves, an angle in the 17- to 20-degree range proves more stable. That way you still get some damping effect from the V but also get some benefit of lateral stability.

Fuel capacity becomes a serious consideration for any small boat heading offshore. On the minus side: Many small boats have built-in tanks and some provide space only for portables. On the plus side: Light boats with small outboards can go all day on amazingly little fuel. Once you pick a boat, know its range and always allow for at least a 15 percent reserve.

A small but important point: marine battery placement. Batteries should ride forward, beneath the console, rather than at the transom, where they can get wet and add unnecessary weight.

One other essential element of small boat construction that becomes particularly important offshore is flotation. Positive flotation is required for certification by the National Marine Manufacturers Association in boats less than 20 feet, but the best hulls are fully filled with foam, and the reasons should be obvious. In an emergency, water can force air out of a hull or sides but not out of foam. A light hull gains little weight (always a factor) but considerable strength and rigidity from foam.

Water In, Water Out

A small boat easily takes on spray and, on rough days, some green water as well. That’s when scuppers become critical. (This assumes that no angler without a death wish would be offshore in a boat that’s not self-bailing.) The scuppers must be able to drain water as fast as it comes into the hull — if not, you’ll soon be playing submarine.

Transom height and design also play key roles in keeping water out of small boats. A small outboard-powered boat faces trouble fast once enough ocean water enters and runs to one side or the other in heavy seas. To help avoid that, look for small offshore boats with a full transom. A cut-out transom might work with a really good, generous motorwell. Worst case for offshore: a low, cut-out transom with no well. If that describes your boat, stick to the bay.

The Right Offshore Boating Equipment

No small boat, however seaworthy and stable, belongs offshore — ever — if it’s not properly equipped. The most major piece of equipment to consider is your outboard engine . A traditional preference among blue-water anglers has been twin or even triple outboards for safety. However, adding a second engine for the small boater might be either cost-, design- or weight-prohibitive. Fortunately, today’s outboard engines are more reliable than ever.

When feasible, a small auxiliary engine (aka kicker) is a great addition since it can get you home in a pinch — but, again, it may not be worth the additional weight on the stern of a 17- to 22-footer.

Additional key safety equipment to carry when fishing offshore includes the following:

Fixed-Mount VHF Radio — Fundamental and essential. Fixed-mount radios offer a range of 15 to 20 miles while handhelds only reach out 3 to 8 miles. All new VHFs, by law, come with Digital Selective Calling, which instantly sends a distress call to authorities anywhere in the world. Be sure that you set up your DSC calling feature before leaving port. Cell phones are popular everywhere, including offshore, and offer some backup. But these can’t substitute for a VHF in a pinch since users might not find coverage in all areas offshore, and a phone call does not immediately summon on-water help. Mate your VHF radio to a tall (8-foot) VHF antenna for the range necessary when fishing offshore.

GPS Plotter/Sounder — As critical for navigation as for fishing. Separate units are fine, but a single unit (capable of showing both chart plotter and sounder reading on screen simultaneously) maximizes limited space on small consoles.

Compass — With a good nautical chart, a compass will keep you headed in the right direction if your GPS fails. Amazingly, some small boaters venture far offshore with neither radio nor compass, according to the Coast Guard.

Extra Battery — Any boat fishing offshore should have a dual-battery system with a selector switch. This allows you to keep one battery in reserve in case one goes dead.

Emergency Beacons — An EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon) and a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) are good ideas for any boat fishing offshore. Once activated, an encoded digital message is received by satellites, and is then transmitted back to ground-based search and rescue authorities. This signal provides information to assist in the search. Assuming you have properly registered the EPIRB or PLB, it tells rescuers who you are, your boat type and size, where you are, and other important data, including emergency contact information. An EPIRB is registered to the boat and is usually mounted on deck, while a PLB is registered to an individual and is carried by that person.

Life Jackets — Going offshore without them would not only be illegal but insane. Make sure your jackets are Coast Guard rated for offshore use (Type I). It is a good idea to wear a life jacket at all times, especially if fishing alone.

Emergency Kit — including flare gun and flares, cyalume sticks and waterproof strobe lights. (I also make sure my boat’s running lights are in good working order.) Don’t forget a good flashlight and extra sunscreen.

Emergency Food and Water — At least a half-gallon of water, some granola bars and beef jerky or canned meat can get you through a day or two.

Anchor and Lots of Line — Even if you don’t anchor to fish, you might find an anchor valuable, and plenty of heavy line is a must if you need to be towed.

Sea Anchor — Space might preclude stowing a small sea anchor, but make sure you have at least a bucket or, in a pinch, even a spare life jacket. Most boats tend to drift stern-to — the worst situation in a building sea. Your odds of staying afloat when broken down and adrift go up by a big chunk if you can keep the bow into the waves, and any sort of sea anchor will help accomplish this.

Pick the Right Fishing Weather

Given a seaworthy boat, properly equipped, everything else comes down to common sense. And nowhere can the small boater better demonstrate that than by reading the weather before and during a trip.

Starting out the morning in a 3-foot sea is a mere irritant to a 30-footer, but for the mini-boater who has his head screwed on right, it means a canceled trip. Many mornings I’ve arisen to find the weather service data revised from the previous evening’s 5- to 10-knot wind forecast to one of 10 to 20 knots. Anyone hoping to go offshore in a 17- to 22-footer has to realize his fishing days will be limited.

Look for periods between frontal systems, particularly in fall, winter and spring when dead-calm days sneak in between blows. During the summer, high pressure systems often bring many successive days of calm weather, particularly in the morning. The run home in many regions might mean a moderate but manageable chop, thanks to afternoon sea breezes.

Just be sure you know the marine forecast for the day, before you head out. When the forecast calls for light breezes all day and into the night, boating anglers with small boats can usually venture forth into offshore ocean waters with peace of mind. Otherwise, the best rule of thumb is a simple one: When in doubt, don’t go out.

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What’s the Smallest Boat You Should Take Offshore?

• By Alan Jones
• February 22, 2023

The first thing that pops up if you Google “What’s the best boat size for offshore fishing?” is a definitive answer: “Between 30 and 40 feet long.” Well, that was easy. Sadly, there is no magic-size boat that’s ideal for heading offshore. The best boat length for you depends on many factors: budget, type of boat, how far offshore you plan to run, where you live and the conditions you’ll face, how experienced you are and your tolerance for risk. 

What is Offshore Anyway?

If you live in the Northeast and want to go canyon fishing on the continental shelf, you might have to run more than 100 miles one way and will need a boat with the range capable of handling rough water. The Atlantic will start rocking at some point. 

Grady-White’s Canyon series starts at around 27 feet LOA, which is probably the minimum length for a well-designed boat fishing the closer canyons. A boat like the Canyon 271 does well offshore thanks to its capable SeaV2 hull, which features a sharp 55 degrees of deadrise at the entry, 30 degrees amidships, and 20 degrees at the stern. But for most canyon runs, a larger model like the Canyon 326 would probably be more appropriate. Its larger size and 327-gallon fuel tank give you a lot more range. 

Offshore Fuel Management

When calculating range for an offshore trip, a 10 percent reserve won’t cut it. Use the more conservative rule of thirds instead. First, make sure the tank is full. Use ­only a third of your fuel for heading out and fishing. Reserve the second third of your fuel capacity for heading back. That leaves the last third as a reserve in case conditions worsen.  

The Near-Offshore Boat

If you are fishing off Miami Beach, the edge of the Gulf Stream might be only a mile offshore. At 4 miles out, you can be in 1,000 feet of water. In good weather, you’ll even see flats boats trolling weed lines for dolphin. In this scenario, a capable compact center-console like the Scout 215 XSF or Robalo’s R222—which both have a lot of freeboard in the front—will likely be sufficient for close-in offshore work. But here’s the catch: In summer, violent thunderstorms tend to form over land and head toward the ocean. These can cut off small boats from heading back in if a skipper isn’t ­paying attention.

Weather Watching

A good weather app to have on your phone in the above scenario is WeatherBug, which is free ($3.99 without ads). It automatically homes in on your location, and the home page immediately shows the distance and location of the nearest lightning strike during the last half-hour, a great ­indicator of severe weather. 

Bigger Means Safer

In general, bigger boats are safer, according to the 2021 US Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics report. It said 273 deaths occurred on boats from 16 feet long to less than 26 feet long. For boats 26 feet long and greater, the total number of fatalities drops to 59, with only one of those occurring on boats greater than 65 feet long. Most of those fatalities, by the way, were due to drowning by those not wearing life jackets.

Experience Counts

A well-designed catamaran with an experienced captain will punch above its weight when it comes to handling rough water. I remember fishing in the 1998 Tred Barta Blue Marlin Classic held at Walker’s Cay aboard a Glacier Bay 260 Canyon Runner (there’s that C word again). Conditions were rough, but it handled the 6-foot seas far better than most of the larger boats in the fleet as we passed them heading back to the docks. 

The trick with this particular cat was to go about 25 to 30 mph to keep air moving between the hulls, and to not let off the throttle, even when we saw a larger wave coming.

Gyrostabilization

A great equalizer for handling offshore conditions in smaller boats is a gyrostabilizer such as the Seakeeper 1, which is designed for boats as small as 23 feet. 

This marvel of modern engineering weighs 365 pounds and costs $15,900, not including installation. But it makes a tremendous difference in the way your boat handles rough water by nearly eliminating side-to-side roll. That makes it much easier to fish and run in comfort aboard smaller boats.    

No matter what size boat you head offshore in, you should do what’s necessary to make it safer by owning and maintaining all your required safety equipment, including a VHF radio, an EPIRB or a personal locator beacon, and a ditch bag for worst-case scenarios. And don’t forget to always use good judgment. Some days, it’s just better to stay inside.  

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Super yachts (>24M)

The Bering line of Expedition yachts includes 3 models:

All these yachts are built to provide power, safety, and comfort. Each vessel remains stable, even in the roughest seas, and is designed to be your luxurious “home away from home.”

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Ocean Going Yacht Manufacturers

Due to the immense size of yachts, they are able to travel through open waters at incredible distances, especially on travels when they are traversing through an entire ocean. It is for this reason that if you are looking to take on incredible journeys, you should only choose the absolute best ocean-going yacht manufacturers. And when you want the best, look no further than Bering Yachts. At our fine establishment, we take the time to not only craft the perfect vessels but also craft them based on your needs. Yachts are able to travel through expansive oceans because ocean-going yacht manufacturers design them to perform such feats. Yachts are big vessels, granting space for large engines. Due to this, they carry a lot of power that can excel a yacht to high speeds. Moreover, because of their big size, yachts are also able to hold a lot of fuel, allowing them to also cover a wide distance without the need to refuel for some time. But the main reason ocean-going manufacturers are able to design vessels capable of traveling at great distances is that they are large enough to hold an operating crew. At Bering Yachts, our ocean-going yacht manufacturers design our models to be spacious, allowing a certain amount of passengers to occupy the vessels. Thanks to this, you can travel with peace of mind knowing that you can have a full crew ready at hand to operate your yacht, guaranteeing smooth sailing on all voyages that you take.

Contact us Now & Let Our Ocean-Going Yacht Manufacturers Build The Perfect Vessel For You

When you are ready to have the ultimate vessel ready to be used at your disposal, do not hesitate at all in contacting Bering Yachts. Our ocean-going yacht manufacturers will gladly construct the perfect vessel for you. To contact us, click  HERE .

Mangusta Oceano

Where everywhere is not enough

EXPERIENCE THE FREEDOM OF OUR LONG-RANGE YACHTS

About the line.

Freedom is being able to voyage 5,000 nautical miles on any ocean, at any latitude, in total comfort. A perfect blend of volume, liveability, design and technology. Mangusta Oceano displacement yachts are designed for your desire to travel the world in style, whatever the distance or destination.

THE MANGUSTA OCEANO RANGE

Mangusta oceano 39, mangusta oceano 44, mangusta oceano 46, mangusta oceano 50, mangusta oceano 60, crossing the atlantic ocean from mediterranean sea to nassau bahamas, total distance, cruising speed, length overall, range at cruising speed.

Billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg spend six figures a year maintaining their superyachts. Here's how.

• Superyachts  are one of the most expensive assets money can buy.
• The true cost of ownership is even more, adding up to millions a year.
• Here's how much it costs to own a superyacht — and what that money is going toward.

Financial advisors are quick to warn prospective owners that a boat is nothing more than a hole in the water in which to throw money. When it comes to superyachts , you'd better have bags and bags of cash.

As one luxury agent told Business Insider at the Palm Beach International Boat Show: "Buying a boat, it's a huge purchase — and nobody needs a yacht."

A superyacht, generally over 30 meters long, is one of the most expensive assets money can buy, with the largest costing more than a lot of real estate or a private jet. Billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Steve Jobs each spent nine figures on their megayachts.

That doesn't include operating costs. Owners should expect to pay about 10% of a yacht's new-build price each year, experts told Business Insider. That's tens of millions of dollars annually for the most luxurious boats.

"It's a small-to-medium-sized business in its own right," said Jeffrey Beneville, a senior vice president at insurance company NFP, where he specializes in consulting clients about yachts.

Unlike many smaller boats, superyachts need staff, not just a captain. Some superyachts have space for dozens of crewmembers , including a chef, engineer, and masseuse for the guests onboard. Each gets an annual salary — the highest-ranking members earn six figures — and benefits. Eric Schmidt's yacht fits a crew of 28 for a ratio of about two crewmembers per guest.

Then there's fuel, dockage fees, routine maintenance, and insurance. The latter hinges on everything from the reputation of a yacht's shipyard to where an owner wants to take it (if a vessel is taking frequent trips to the South China Sea, for example, expect to pay a higher premium). If a superyacht has a support yacht — or a support superyacht, in Bezos ' case — expect to pay another 10% of that boat's price annually.

"The cost to maintain a yacht is so high that they just think that money's getting lit on fire," Matthew Fleissig, the CEO of wealth management firm Pathstone, told BI of his clients who choose to charter rather than own.

One of his firm's clients who does own has a 23-meter yacht valued at $5.2 million. The annual cost to staff, maintain, dock, and insure the boat is $346,297, according to documentation provided to BI. The lion's share is spent on marina fees ($95,970) and maintenance work ($88,408.) While not exactly a Sunfish, that boat is too small to count as a superyacht.

At 106 meters, the Amadea, owned by a sanctioned Russian oligarch , definitely does. The $300 million yacht, which was seized in 2022 and is docked in San Diego, cost $922,000 a month to maintain, a court filing showed: $360,000 for crew salaries, $75,000 for fuel, $144,000 for insurance, $178,000 in dry-docking fees, and $165,000 for maintenance, waste removal, food for the crew, and miscellaneous expenses.

"And that's an inactive yacht that's in the water," NFP's Beneville said.

If it were operational and carrying guests, the costs would be about twice that, or between $20 million and $30 million a year, he added.

Of course, it makes more financial sense for the non-obsessives to charter, and many of Fleissig's clients do. And some owners choose to offer their yachts for charter — the most luxurious cost as much as $1 million a week — to offset the costs.

"If you charter the boat for 50 days a year, it's going to help a lot," Anders Kurtén, the CEO of brokerage firm Fraser Yachts, told BI.

Then again, the running costs don't matter as much at a certain point. "If you're worth $30 billion, it's nothing. And if you're worth $117 billion — and these are the guys we're talking about — they're in it as long as it's still enjoyable for them," Beneville said. "It's not a money thing."

Watch: Why South Sea pearls are so expensive

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