BEYOND THE HORIZON
ONBOARD takes a look at the superyacht sailing category and discovers how the shipyards are preparing for the new demographic of owners
The sailing superyacht market continues its quiet ascent within an industry now estimated at US $21.6 billion in 2025, with impressive projected growth to US $45 billion by 2032 at an 11.1% CAGR. Among the 5,932 superyachts over 30 metres in service as of July 2024, about 15% are sailing yachts, a niche with powerful influence and symbolic weight.
Despite motor yachts commanding the majority of deliveries, 600 of 633 new builds versus just 33 sailing vessels in 2024, it is the sailing segment that subtly shapes the industry’s sustainability standards, craftsmanship and experiential culture. Notably, the global fleet includes some 9,000+ yachts over 24m, and the 24–45 m class, where most sailers reside, is projected to grow at 5 % CAGR during 2027.
For owners and builders alike, sailing yachts represent more than elegance – they reflect a convergence of low-impact exploration, advanced design and personal renewal at sea. Against this backdrop, ONBOARD chats with some leading yards, each bringing unique heritage and fresh innovation to this transformative wave.
A NEW WAVE: HOW YOUNGER OWNERS ARE CHANGING SAILING YACHTING
The traditional yacht owner profile, older, status-driven and performance-oriented, is giving way to a new breed of client. These emerging owners, often in their 30s and 40s, bring different expectations: sustainability, autonomy and experiential luxury rank higher than speed records or brand flash. Their vision is more holistic, placing equal value on environmental ethics, tech-forward solutions and a quieter, more connected experience at sea. This shift is already influencing yacht design and innovation at the build level.
Royal Huisman notes a strong pivot toward silent cruising and purpose-led design. Jeroen Sirag says, “We are seeing a definitive shift in the mindset of the emerging generation of owners and enthusiasts. Their values are more closely aligned with purpose- driven ownership, experiences over status and a deep appreciation for sustainability.
Many are explicitly requesting yachts that allow them to cruise in near-silence, often under sail or electric propulsion, minimising the use of combustion engines whenever possible. This ties in seamlessly with our ‘Tidal Shift’ programme, which reflects Royal Huisman’s long-term vision toward more responsible yachting, where advanced hybrid systems and intelligent energy management are no longer ‘nice to haves’ but essential.
Sunreef Yachts sees young owners as eco- conscious early adopters of clean-tech solutions. Founder and President Francis Lapp adds, “The younger generation plays a key role in shaping the future of the sector. There is a wave of positive change generated by owners or their children. Customers become increasingly aware of the environmental impact that yachting can have. On top of that, young people tend to be fascinated by modern technology, so when they hear about our catamarans, there is obviously a positive feedback. They see how we come up with new hi tech solutions and combine it with a responsible approach to the environment. Our mission is to show them the whole scope of possibilities from décor materials, to clean propulsion and the latest photovoltaics. We are here not only to give an accurate response to the evolving expectations, but also to inspire and give new ideas.”
CHANGING LANDSCAPES: THE CONSOLIDATION OF NEW BUILD YARDS AND WHAT IT MEANS
Over the past decade, the sailing yacht sector has seen several specialist shipyards close or consolidate, leaving only a few elite players standing. Far from reducing opportunities, this shift has elevated the value of pedigree yards with a proven ability to innovate and deliver. With fewer options, discerning clients are turning to established names with real staying power and deep expertise.
Sunreef has responded, Lapp says, “ While this market shift has its influence on our sales, still the number one factor of our success is Sunreef’s innovative spirit. We have a product that just stands out. We’ve expanded production in Poland and the UAE to meet a growing global demand. Importantly, Sunreef is now the only catamaran shipyard, and the youngest shipyard overall ranked in the top 10 global yacht order book.”
Royal Huisman has leveraged its dual-site model to double down on custom new builds and large-scale refits. Sirag enthusiastically adds, “Yes indeed. The closure of several new build yards has consolidated demand, especially toward a brand of Royal Huisman that offer pedigree, innovation and long-term value retention. We have seen a notable increase in interest both in new custom builds and innovative refits through our Huisfit division. The Huisfit refits for example of Juliet and Foftein for example show how older yachts can be transformed to exceed modern expectations in performance, comfort and sustainability.”
Pendennis, focused on both refit and new build, has remained competitive through its heritage and capability concentration in Northern Europe. But, Stephen Hills, Group Commercial Director says, “The number of refit enquiries we receive continues to grow steadily each year. With high-quality sailing yacht specialist yards largely concentrated in Northern Europe, we consistently find ourselves competing against the same two or three rivals for new projects.”
MATERIALS MATTER: RETHINKING HOW YACHTS ARE BUILT
From hull structure to interior finish, the materials used in modern superyachts must now meet a high bar: performance, aesthetics, longevity, and sustainability. Traditional methods are being questioned, and innovative solutions like bio-composites, recycled cores and hybrid structures are gaining momentum. These choices don’t just reduce environmental impact, they elevate the yacht’s technical and emotional value.
Hills from Pendennis comments, “Pendennis has a long-standing heritage and expertise in aluminium yacht construction. Our dedicated in-house fabrication team is at the heart of this capability, drawing on 38 years of experience and involvement in over 30 new build projects. This depth of knowledge enables them to consistently deliver exceptional craftsmanship and innovation to our clients. We do equally work with carbon/composite but this is mostly under the refit area of activity.”
Royal Huisman touts its unmatched pedigree in aluminum construction and the use of carbon composites for advanced hybrid builds. “Royal Huisman is uniquely recognised for its expertise in advanced aluminum construction, an area where we are globally unrivalled. Aluminum offers the ideal balance of strength, weight and formability, which is crucial for custom superyachts. It also offers excellent corrosion resistance, is easier to repair, and importantly, is fully recyclable, supporting circular sustainability goals. For some lightweight applications or performance-enhancing structures, we also utilise carbon composites via our in-house carbon composite division. This dual capability means we can offer hybrid solutions where performance, durability and eco-conscious construction are all addressed without compromise,” says Sirag.
Sunreef leads with PET-based foam cores made from recycled bottles and flax composites used throughout interiors. “The recent updates in the construction process are very exciting. Sometime ago we introduced PET foam cores into the builds – this means over 600 000 recycled plastic bottles go into a Sunreef 80. On top of that, we also introduced PET as a replacement for plywood, so this means an additional 150 000 bottles. We also work more and more with natural fibre composites – we use flax fibre to create certain composite parts of the yachts. Today, you can see navigation stations, bars or other furniture elements made of flax. In a longer perspective, we plan to introduce bigger, structural elements. We have also moved away from teak. We have a sustainable and natural alternative that we have already implemented,” adds Lapp.
MULTIHULLS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT: A DIFFERENT KIND OF OWNER, A DIFFERENT KIND OF YACHT
Multihulls, once a niche for coastal cruising or charter use, are now mainstream among serious yacht owners. Offering unmatched interior space, stability and access to shallow anchorages, they reflect a new type of yachting lifestyle, one that values slow travel, family living and sustainability over traditional speed and lean performance.
Sunreef, a pioneer in luxury sailing catamarans, highlights multihulls’ natural fit for solar and hybrid propulsion. Lapps explains, “When we started building yachts, from day one we knew we wanted to build multihulls. With this type of architecture, people are closer to the water. They benefit from a large, incredibly stable platform to enjoy the marine lifestyle. Cruising catamarans are family-friendly boats and thanks to their shallow draft, they can also access remote areas that remain inaccessible to monohulls. Catamarans also make fantastic green yachts – they generate very little drag, so they are energy efficient. They also offer a lot of space for solar panels. There are so many advantages.”
Royal Huisman notes that multihull clients often seek autonomy and green tech integration for off-grid adventures. Sirag explains, “There is a different design and lifestyle ethos. Multihull owners tend to prioritise living space, stability and shallow draft cruising. There is often a strong focus on efficiency, autonomy and integrated green technologies. We have seen growing interest in multihulls and our engineering and design collaborations are already laying the foundation for future multihull projects that fully embrace these values, aligned with our ‘Tidal Shift’ mission.”
FORM VS. FUNCTION: CAN YOU HAVE PERFORMANCE AND INTERIOR VOLUME?
Once upon a time, sailing yachts were a compromise: slim, fast hulls offered speed but limited comfort; voluminous interiors dulled performance. That trade- off is becoming obsolete. Advances in naval architecture, materials and rigging have made it possible to design yachts that deliver both exhilarating sailing and palatial interior spaces.
Royal Huisman confirms this balance with projects like Sarissa, which marries speed with onboard comfort. “Today’s owners are asking for ‘performance without compromise’ graceful sailing yachts that offer fast passages and luxurious onboard living. Thanks to innovations in naval architecture, sail-handling systems and lightweight construction, we can now deliver yachts that perform beautifully but also feature expansive and flexible interior volumes. 60m Sarissa for example, recently delivered, is a prime example of this shift: an awe-inspiring sailing yacht that blends aesthetic purity, interior comfort and eco- friendly credentials without sacrificing performance,” says Sirag.
“It all depends on what a given customer is looking for,” says Sunreef’s Francis Lapp. “Narrow hulls have their advantages too, and those include a more dynamic motion. Actually, our most recent range – the Sunreef ULTIMA is a sleeker edition of the multihull design. It combines the best of two worlds – the stability of a catamaran, with the dynamics of a monohull. With this new range we responded to the needs of the customers looking for a little more speed and maneuverability. The first ULTIMA catamarans are already on the water. They offer hybrid propulsion, a foiling system and solar panels – a great mix to enjoy performance while remaining energy- efficient.”
GREEN IS THE NEW GOLD STANDARD
Sustainability is no longer a feature, it’s an expectation. Whether in propulsion, energy systems, materials or operations, yacht builders must now demonstrate their commitment to the planet without compromising luxury or performance. The best yards are already ahead of the curve, embedding eco-conscious practices into every stage of the build process.
At Sunreef Lapp explains, “Clean technology is a very broad subject at Sunreef Yachts. To begin, we have our own R&D lab, where we develop new ideas for responsible boating.
One of the most recognisable green features of our yachts is the photovoltaic system that we have – completely integrated with the yacht’s hull. We use electric and hybrid systems along with custom engineered battery banks. I mentioned sustainable build materials earlier, but we also use recycled and recyclable décor materials. To save energy consumptions on board we have an energy-saving air conditioning system and smart energy management. There is an ongoing R&D effort on our part and I think customers really appreciate this. They know that we are specialists and leaders in energy-efficient boating tech.”
Royal Huismann’s Sirag conquers, “Sustainability is not just a feature; it is embedded into the Royal Huisman ethos. Our Tidal Shift programme guides internal and client-facing decisions across energy use, materials, propulsion and lifecycle thinking. Our aim is to be a catalyst for positive change, not just only for our clients but for the yachting sector at large.”
CONCLUSION
The sailing yacht segment may be a minority in build numbers, but it’s disproportionately shaping the future of yachting. As sustainability becomes baseline rather than optional, sailing yachts stand at the intersection of heritage and innovation, where solar arrays and hybrid systems are as expected as teak decks and carbon spars.
Together, these yards are forging a new paradigm: sailing yachts that do more than carry you, they speak to where yachting is headed. They chart a future where impact is measured as much by responsibility as by reach. In the rising tide of superyacht growth, the sailing sector is not just keeping pace, it’s defining the current.
