How long does it take to sell a large custom yacht?

It varies widely. A well-priced yacht that suits a waiting buyer can move quickly, while a very large or highly personal yacht may take longer to meet the right person. Presentation, pricing against realistic comparables, technical readiness for survey and the owner's flexibility on timing and delivery location all influence the pace.

Can the yacht continue chartering while it is for sale?

In many cases, yes. Charter can continue alongside a sale, with viewings arranged around bookings. It is important to agree in advance how existing charters will be honored if a buyer is found and how the handover date is set. Daniel coordinates with the management company so both activities run smoothly.

What should be ready before a buyer's survey?

Class documents, planned maintenance records, recent yard period reports and machinery histories should be organized and easy to share. Known defects are best addressed or disclosed early. Buyers and surveyors respond well to transparency, and a prepared yacht reduces the risk of renegotiation late in the process.

Sell a Lürssen Yacht | Daniel Grant

A family yard on the Weser

Lürssen was founded in 1875 by Friedrich Lürssen near Bremen in northern Germany, and it has remained in family ownership through four generations. In 1886 the yard built what is widely described as the world's first motorboat, commissioned by Gottlieb Daimler to test his new engine.

In the modern era the name has become associated with some of the largest private yachts ever built. Construction takes place at yards in northern Germany, including Lemwerder on the Weser and Rendsburg on the Kiel Canal. Every Lürssen yacht is a custom project, typically shaped by a leading exterior designer and a long list of specialists over several years.

Each yacht is her own market

There is no catalog of Lürssen models to compare. Buyers at this level usually approach with a clear brief: range, guest capacity, a particular deck plan, perhaps a helicopter deck or a large spa. The pool of suitable yachts at any moment is small, and the pool of qualified buyers is smaller still.

That makes timing and positioning more important than volume of marketing. A Lurssen sale is often a matter of matching one yacht to a handful of people who have been waiting for exactly her. Daniel spends as much time understanding who those people are, and who represents them, as on the listing itself.

Buyers at this level also bring large advisory teams: captains, technical consultants, lawyers and family offices. Answering their questions quickly and consistently, with a well-organized data room, does much to maintain momentum and signals that the yacht has been owned with the same seriousness with which she was built.

What protects value at this size

Large custom yachts are closer to small ships than to leisure craft, and buyers' surveyors review them accordingly. The factors below tend to decide how smoothly a sale proceeds.

Class and compliance: current class status, flag, and the certification a large yacht needs to operate and, where relevant, to charter.
Refit and yard periods: a clear record of major yard periods, their scope and where they were carried out.
Technical records: planned maintenance systems, machinery hours and the condition of propulsion, stabilizers and hotel systems.
Interior and guest areas: the state of finishes, AV and technology, since these date faster than the hull.
Crew continuity: a stable senior crew with deep knowledge of the yacht is a genuine asset during survey and handover.
Specification: range, tender and toy capacity, and any features that set the yacht apart from the few alternatives available.

How to sell a Lürssen yacht with discretion

Owners of yachts at this level rarely want their plans discussed in public. Daniel's default for a Lürssen is an off-market sale: a confidential presentation shared with vetted buyers and the small number of brokers who act for them, with non-disclosure in place before details change hands.

If the owner prefers a broader campaign, the yacht is marketed worldwide through cooperating brokers, with pricing grounded in sold comparables among large custom yachts. The Monaco Yacht Show each September remains the natural stage for yachts of this size, and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in the autumn brings together many of the American buyers and brokers active in this segment. Daniel's presence in Monaco, Miami and New York allows the yacht to be shown in person on either side of the Atlantic.

A sale managed like a project

From the listing agreement to delivery, a large yacht sale involves the captain, management company, surveyors, class society, lawyers and escrow agent. Brokerage commission is commonly around 10% of the sale price, usually paid by the seller and shared between listing and selling broker, and set out in the listing agreement; the commission guide explains the details. A deposit, commonly 10%, is typically held in escrow once a purchase agreement is signed.

Daniel keeps the owner informed at each decision point while handling coordination, so the yacht can keep operating normally until closing.

Speaking with Daniel

A first conversation can be entirely exploratory. Daniel is happy to review the yacht's position, discuss who is likely to be interested and prepare a private valuation in confidence.

Whether you plan to sell next season or in a few years, knowing where the yacht stands is a useful place to begin.

To sell a Lürssen yacht is to manage a rare asset