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How to Buy a New Yacht: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

How to Buy a New Yacht: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
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Article Overview: Thinking about buying a new yacht but not sure where to start? This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process—from selecting the perfect yacht and setting your budget to understanding crew requirements, scheduling sea trials, and enjoying red-carpet delivery. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or upgrading your current boat, we make yacht ownership smooth and rewarding.

How to Buy a Yacht: A Step-by-Step Guide

Purchasing a new yacht might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re upgrading to a larger yacht or buying your first one, this guide will walk you through each step to make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Let’s dive in.


Choose the Right Type of Yacht

Before anything else, think about how you plan to use your yacht. Are you looking to chase billfish offshore, relax with family on weekend cruises, or even start a charter business? Knowing your primary purpose will help narrow down your options.

You’ll find many styles to choose from, including:

 
No matter your style, we’ve got you covered and can help you find the yacht that’s just right for you.


New vs. Used: What’s Right for You?

While this guide focuses on buying new, it’s worth briefly considering the pros and cons of new versus used yachts. New yachts provide modern tech, manufacturer warranties, and the chance to customize your boat to your liking. Used yachts may come at a lower upfront cost and offer faster delivery, but may not have the latest features. A knowledgeable broker can help you compare options and determine what fits best with your goals and budget.
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Set Your Budget

Once you’ve determined the type of yacht you want, it’s time to figure out how much you can comfortably afford. Yacht ownership is a major investment, and you’ll want to account for both upfront and long-term costs.
 

Budget considerations include:

  • Purchase price and financing
  • Taxes, registration, and dealer fees
  • Insurance and extended warranties
  • Equipment upgrades or accessories
  • Fuel, dockage, storage, and maintenance

 
A good rule of thumb is to set aside at least 10% of the yacht’s value per year for maintenance. And if you plan to finance, your credit score will play a role in the loan terms.
 

Browse new yachts by price:


Consider Customization & Build Timelines

If you’re ordering a yacht directly from the factory, you may have the opportunity to personalize everything from layout and materials to engine configurations and onboard tech.
 

Keep in mind:

  • Build times for new yachts can range from several months to over a year
  • Some custom features may affect delivery time
  • Your involvement in the design process varies by brand

 
Our yacht experts are here to help you understand which yachts can be tailored to your preferences and how long the process will take.


Partner with a Yacht Broker

Yacht brokers at a boat showA certified yacht broker can make your experience much easier. They bring deep knowledge of the market, access to listings not publicly available, and handle the back-and-forth with manufacturers or sellers.

Working with a broker is like having a project manager for your purchase — someone to guide you through every step, including paperwork, negotiations, and delivery. Our brokers are backed by a full team of support professionals who help you with financing, insurance, surveys, and closing coordination.


Start the Search

Now the fun begins — shopping for your yacht. If you’re working with a broker, they’ll bring you listings that match your criteria. If you’re going it alone, start with online searches and narrow your results by length, brand, model, and features.

For many buyers, it’s important to physically walk through a yacht before deciding. We can provide in-person showings at marinas or boat shows.
 

Simplify Your Search with Yacht Shopper

To save time, use tools like Yacht Shopper. Set your preferences once — builder, price, location, size — and we’ll notify you as soon as a matching yacht hits the market. You’ll always be the first to know, without the constant need to check listings manually.


Schedule a Showing and Sea Trial

Once you’ve found a yacht that checks all the boxes, it’s time to schedule a showing. Seeing the boat in person gives you a chance to evaluate the layout, condition, and onboard features.

If everything looks good, take it for a sea trial. This test run helps you evaluate performance, comfort, and handling. A knowledgeable yacht broker will be onboard to answer any technical or operational questions.


Final Inspections

Even when buying a new yacht, it’s smart to arrange a final inspection or commissioning walkthrough. This ensures all systems are properly installed and operational before delivery. It’s an extra layer of peace of mind — and your broker can help coordinate it for you.


Understand Crew Requirements

Depending on the size of your new yacht, you may need to hire a captain or crew. This is especially relevant for yachts over 80 feet or for owners who prefer hands-off operation.

We’ll help you determine what’s required — from crew hiring to licensing and documentation — and walk you through flagging options and ownership structures, especially for larger or charter-ready yachts.


Finalize the Purchase

closing on a yachtOnce you’re fully satisfied with the sea trial, it’s time to move forward with finalizing the purchase. You’ll review and sign the purchase agreement, which outlines all terms, pricing, and options discussed. At this stage, a 10% deposit is typically required and placed in escrow to secure the yacht while closing arrangements are made.

Your broker will help coordinate remaining steps, such as verifying clear title, finalizing equipment lists, and ensuring any additional options or upgrades are included as agreed. If financing is involved, this is also the time to finalize your loan, secure insurance, and explore extended warranty options.

From contract to closing, your broker will guide you through every detail to ensure a smooth and stress-free transaction.


Delivery Day & Onboarding

The moment you’ve been waiting for—delivery day. Before you take the helm, our team will guide you through a full walkthrough of your yacht’s systems, safety features, and basic maintenance. You’ll also get hands-on training to ensure you’re confident operating your new yacht.

We go beyond the handoff with a red-carpet delivery experience and the ongoing support you need to enjoy your yacht from day one.


Buying a New Yacht with Galati Yacht Sales

We proudly complete over 500 yacht closings each year, delivering personalized service and unwavering integrity from start to finish. When you purchase a new yacht from Galati, you gain access to expert support every step of the way — before, during, and long after the sale. Our dedicated customer support is available exclusively to Galati customers for maintenance and repairs, while our red-carpet delivery includes hands-on training to ensure you feel confident at the helm. Contact us today and let’s find the yacht that fits your lifestyle.
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