Sub-50m semi-custom yachts

Published 24 October 2024

Why should you buy a semi-custom yacht?

Purchasing a semi-custom yacht offers the perfect balance between personalisation, performance, and practicality. Owners will have an excellent opportunity to customise their vessel to their own tastes, without the extensive time and financial commitment of a fully custom build. These yachts are built on proven platforms by leading shipyards, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship and reliable performance, while offering enough flexibility to make your yacht feel distinctly yours. Whether you’re building new or refitting a second-hand yacht, a semi-custom model allows for considerable customisation, making it a unique expression of your vision.

Sub-50m yachts have shallower draft so can explore more widely in places with shallow waters like The Bahamas
Sub-50m yachts have shallower drafts so aren't restricted by places like the Bahamas that have shallow waters

Large choice of options available on the 30-55m market

The semi-custom yacht market offers a diverse range of options, catering to different styles and preferences. Some owners prioritise speed and agility, opting for fast, sporty yachts that can deliver great performance and quick island hops. Others may want a spacious, family-oriented yacht that makes the most of the 500GT threshold, maximising interior space with larger accommodations and social areas. Regardless of your preference, the semi-custom market is filled with yachts that strike a perfect balance between luxury, functionality, and aesthetic design.

The latest designs have clever ways of expanding available space. This 40m yacht has a swim platform comparable to that of a 60m yacht
The latest designs have clever ways of expanding available space, like the swim platform on this 40m yacht

Proven platforms with the flexibility to customise or refit to your personal taste

'The main advantage of choosing a semi-custom yacht over a fully custom one is that you get the benefits of a pre-designed and pre-tested platform but still have the option to add some personal touches on it, such as interior colours and materials. These two aspects come together with a significantly reduced build time and a lower asking price as well, in contrast to a fully customised yacht.' Nikolas Pantagias, CA Listings Manager, Athens

Performance yachts are great for island hopping because you can visit more of them in the time available, but fuel costs will be higher than a displacement yacht
Semi-custom yachts still give you the flexibility to choose the style of the interiors to suit your tastes

Easily access marinas and smaller/shallow bays

The size and draft of a sub-50m yacht offers the best of both worlds. Namely, the ability to access to a wide variety of marinas and anchorages, including those in smaller or shallower bays. Dock in smaller, exclusive marinas or explore less accessible coastal areas that are off-limits to yachts over 60m. This freedom opens up a broader range of cruising destinations, allowing for a more adventurous and spontaneous yachting experience.

As well as this, their nifty speed makes them the best choice if you like to keep on the move and explore different islands and anchorages. A beach picnic ashore on one secluded sandy bay for lunch, a different west-facing beach for an evening barbecue to watch the sun sink below the horizon.

Faster yachts let you get to the best anchorages first - and closer to the shore
Faster yachts let you get to the best anchorages first - and closer to the shore

A large market for sale or charter

Semi-custom yachts are highly sought after, making them a solid investment both in terms of resale and charter potential. This size category occupies a significant portion of the brokerage market, ensuring strong resale value should you decide to upgrade or change your fleet in the future.

‘Semi-custom yachts are typically easier to sell than fully customised yachts, and the market can provide consistent and predictable asking/sales prices. But we’d also recommend some element of customisation to enhance the yacht's overall value and appeal. This can make your yacht more attractive in the sales market compared to others in the same semi-custom series.’ Justin Pierce, Sales Broker, Miami

It’s also a buoyant sector for charter as many clients are looking for yachts that are spacious yet manageable. Whether you're looking for personal use or as a charter business investment, these yachts provide excellent marketability.

You're better connected to friends and family on a sub-50m yacht, you're not going to lose each other
You're better connected to friends and family on a sub-50m yacht; you're not going to lose each other

Sizing up to reap the rewards

For those moving up from a boat below 24m, the leap to a semi-custom yacht in the 30-55m range is transformative. In terms of service, your experience goes from handling most aspects yourself to having a dedicated crew that caters to every detail. The cruising possibilities also expand dramatically, with longer range, more on board amenities, and the ability to host more guests comfortably. The jump in size also allows for more sophisticated technology, entertainment systems, and toys, turning every voyage into a fully immersive, luxurious experience.

There will always be a bigger market for 30-50m yachts than those of 50m-plus
There will always be a bigger market for 30-50m yachts than those of 50m-plus

Ideal for expanding your fleet or down-sizing

For those who already own a larger yacht, adding a semi-custom to your fleet can be a valuable addition. Those in the 30-55m range are ideal for acting as shadow yachts, chase boats, or support vessels, carrying extra toys, tenders, or crew.

Or, for those considering stepping down in size, moving to a yacht in this range provides a more hands-on ownership experience with significantly lower running costs and simplified maintenance, while still offering all the luxury and performance you’re accustomed to. Far from sacrificing quality or enjoyment, this step down in size can deliver a more intimate and versatile yachting lifestyle.


Top deals in today's semi-custom market

There's an incredible range of yachts under 50 metres. Some boast excellent wellness areas, some are fast and suitable for those looking to cover more distance, while others have space for entertaining in spades. Whatever you're after, we'll have something perfectly suited to you.

Sporty yachts

BASH IV

Built by Overmarine in 2007, and the second hull of the famous 165 line, BASH IV combines style, space and speed.

Discover BASH IV

SODAN

38.4m (126ft) SODAN was built in Italy by Custom Line (Ferretti) in 2023. She is hull number 8 of the highly sought after Custom Line 120 series.

Discover SODAN

QUEEN B SPORT

The 28.1m (92.2ft) QUEEN B SPORT, is the ninth hull in the sought-after Pershing 9X series. This RINA-classed composite yacht is capable of 42 knots, with a cruising speed of 35 knots.

Discover QUEEN B SPORT

Northern European pedigrees

G3

Built by the renowned Dutch shipyard Heesen, the 44m (144.4ft) has been recently refit and boasts brilliant deck spaces.

Discover G3

PERLE BLEUE

Delivered in 2007 by Dutch shipyard Royal Hakvoort, this 38m (124.7ft) yacht won 'Best Displacement Yacht Under 50m at the Showboats Awards.

Discover PERLE BLEUE

SEAFLOWER

SEAFLOWER, hull six of the Mulder 36 series, won the 2024 World Superyacht Award in the 35-39.9m category. Judges noted the ‘excellent value she presents for her size'.

Discover SEAFLOWER

Charter machines

TOSUN

The eighth of the innovative Benetti Oasis 40m series, TOSUN is a seriously stylish yacht. Not just for private use, TOSUN is also charter compliant and is a proven popular charter platform.

Discover TOSUN

RUYA

Delivered in 2016, the 41.4m (135.8ft) multi-award-winning motor yacht RUYA was built to celebrate al fresco living. She has also proved to be a successful charter yacht.

Discover RUYA

ANYA

The 40m (131.4ft) ANYA is one of the much-heralded semi-displacement Sunseeker 40m series. She boasts an excellent charter record.

Discover ANYA

Sailing yachts

NORFOLK STAR

Expensively refitted and Lloyd's classed, this 37m (121.4ft) Perini Navi is in turn-key condition. She's a fantastic family or charter yacht with great deck spaces and accommodation for six in three cabins.

Discover NORFOLK STAR

WALLY LOVE

Designed by Germán Frers, the master of combining sparkling performance with sleek looks and fine comfort, WALLY LOVE is an excellent blend of performance and comfort.

Discover WALLY LOVE

STYLIA

Built in 2022, this catamaran is one of the best Sunreef 70’ Sailings ever built with a huge interior volume and exterior deck spaces.

Discover STYLIA

Choosing Burgess for your yacht purchase

'Most buyers in the 30-50m semi-custom range will be either first-time buyers or owners of smaller boats. It is very important to understand that purchasing a yacht of this size can be very complex, and albeit it may feel like it is buying a ‘series/production’ yacht, there are many technical aspects that needs to be consider – this is where it is extremely important to be well supported by an experienced and trustworthy broker. The right broker will help you find the right yacht for you, will save you money on the purchase side, on the resale value and remove potential headaches or disappointments should you not be properly informed before buying your yacht.' Thibault Roi, Sales Broker, Monaco


To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: LondonMonacoNew YorkMiamiSingapore or all other locations.

Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.

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