The short answer
- Hull type moves the entry figure more than one size band does: €152,031 for a 50–62 ft sailing yacht against €453,375 for a 62–85 ft catamaran.
- Running costs follow price in this model, so the type that lowers the purchase also lowers the annual share — but crew and berth realities differ by type.
- Catamarans sit between sail and motor on capital and above both on berth cost and marina availability, which the price table cannot show.
Three hull types, two size bands
Every figure is per partner in a group of four, derived from the class medians in our catalogue.
| Class | Median asking | Entry at 4 | Year-1 running share | 5-yr net at 4 | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailing yacht 50-62 ft | €608,122 | €152,031 | €15,203 | €130,946 | 68 |
| Catamaran 50-62 ft | €1,116,000 | €279,000 | €27,900 | €240,306 | 48 |
| Motor yacht 50-62 ft | €1,111,955 | €277,989 | €27,799 | €239,435 | 76 |
| Sailing yacht 62-85 ft | €1,302,000 | €325,500 | €32,550 | €280,358 | 44 |
| Catamaran 62-85 ft | €1,813,500 | €453,375 | €45,338 | €390,498 | 23 |
| Motor yacht 62-85 ft | €2,408,700 | €602,175 | €60,218 | €518,662 | 89 |
Original GetBoat data: 415 euro-converted asking prices of 50–110 ft yachts listed for sale by GetBoat and its partners on 2026-09-20, plus the GetBoat market index (8,474 priced sale listings, 85,489 charter listings). Asking prices, not completed sales. Individual listings are never identified. Model: annual running budget 10% of the yacht price growing 3% a year, resale after 5 years at 72% of the price (per-brand depreciation in the GetBoat market index) less 7% selling costs, 40 owner weeks a year. Excludes VAT, financing, personal tax and programme fees. Illustration, not an offer.
What the price table cannot price
Berth cost is the big one. A 62–85 ft catamaran can need a multihull berth at a premium or a double slot, and in high season some marinas simply have none. A sailing yacht of the same length is cheaper to keep and slower to move between cruising grounds.
Crew is the second. Above roughly 80 ft, professional crew stops being optional for most owners, and it lands on the running budget as a fixed cost the group shares whether the yacht sails or not.
Choose the type for the group, not the spreadsheet
Groups fail on incompatible use, not on cost. Four owners who want long passages and one who wants marina weekends will argue about a motor yacht regardless of the entry figure.
Test it before committing: agree the typical week each partner plans, then check that the type you are pricing serves all of them. Where it does not, the cheaper class is not cheaper.
Decision checklist
- 1Typical cruising week written down by each partner
- 2Berth availability and cost checked for the specific type and length
- 3Crew requirement assessed honestly for the size band
- 4Fuel or sail-handling expectations aligned across the group
- 5Median asking price of the chosen class noted before viewings
- 6Insurance quoted for the type, not assumed from another class
What buyers ask next
Why are catamarans priced close to motor yachts in the smaller band?
In our snapshot the 50–62 ft catamaran median (€1,116,000) sits within a few percent of the motor median (€1,111,955). Modern performance catamarans are specified and built to a standard that prices them alongside motor yachts of the same length.
Does a sailing yacht really cost less to run?
Usually yes on fuel and sometimes on berth, but rigging, sails and standing-rigging replacement are periodic costs that a motor yacht does not carry. Budget by the specific yacht’s survey and service history, not by the hull type.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax, financial, insurance or survey advice. Requirements vary by yacht, provider and jurisdiction; use qualified independent professionals for the transaction. Read our editorial policy.
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