Yacht Depreciation Curve
How much of its value a yacht keeps at every age — a geometric curve calibrated on the live GetBoat for-sale catalog, next to the raw €-per-foot ladder actually observed on the market.
Key facts
- A yacht retains about 94% of its €-per-foot per year of age (≈6% geometric annual depreciation), based on GetBoat market data.
- After 30+ years values flatten onto a residual floor of roughly 14% of the like-new price-per-foot.
- Observed on live listings: median €5,777/ft for 0–4 yrs boats vs €2,721/ft at 20–29 yrs.
| Age | Value retained |
|---|---|
| New | 100% |
| 1 years | 94% |
| 2 years | 88% |
| 3 years | 83% |
| 5 years | 73% |
| 7 years | 65% |
| 10 years | 54% |
| 15 years | 40% |
| 20 years | 29% |
| 25 years | 21% |
| 30 years | 16% |
| 35 years | 14% |
| Age band | Listings | Median €/ft |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 yrs | 1,428 | €5,777 |
| 5–9 yrs | 657 | €5,683 |
| 10–14 yrs | 480 | €5,058 |
| 15–19 yrs | 696 | €4,623 |
| 20–29 yrs | 950 | €2,721 |
How to read the curve
The curve answers one question: what share of its like-new price-per-foot does a yacht of a given age command on the market? It is geometric — each year multiplies value by about 0.94 — so the absolute losses are front-loaded: the drop from new to five years is far steeper in euros than from fifteen to twenty. Past roughly thirty years the market stops pricing age and starts pricing condition: the floor near 14% reflects a sound, equipped, usable hull.
Use it both ways: as a buyer, the curve tells you what a fair asking price for age looks like before you negotiate; as a seller, it anchors realistic expectations and shows when a refit meaningfully moves your position on the curve. For a specific hull, a marine survey and a professional valuation replace the market median — the curve is the starting point, not the verdict.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a yacht depreciate per year?
On the GetBoat market data, a yacht retains roughly 94% of its price-per-foot per year of age — about 6% geometric depreciation annually. The first years are the steepest in absolute terms; past 30+ years values flatten onto a residual floor of roughly 14% of the like-new level.
Do all yachts depreciate at the same rate?
No. Well-maintained yachts from strong brands hold value better, refits reset part of the curve, and rare or custom builds can deviate substantially. The curve is a market-level median, not a promise for any single hull — condition surveys decide the real number.
Is the curve based on real sales?
It is calibrated on thousands of live for-sale listings on GetBoat: the observed median €-per-foot by age band is fitted to a geometric curve. Asking prices lead transaction prices by roughly 10%.
When does a yacht stop losing value?
Around the 30-year mark the market flattens: a sound, usable hull keeps a residual value near 14% of its like-new €-per-foot, dominated by equipment, engines and maintenance state rather than age.
Data updated · Source: GetBoat live catalog
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