December 2025 Market Update

I thought I’d have a look back at our market update from the end of 2024 to see how we were seeing things in the boat market 12 months ago

16 December 2025

I thought I’d have a look back at our market update from the end of 2024 to see how we were seeing things in the boat market 12 months ago compared to right now and there are still a lot of things that were true in 2024 that are true now as we bring the curtain down on 2025. Overall, as a business we have outperformed 2024 in both new and used boat sales so the market appears to have been stronger this year than last.

Twelve months ago, we were still waiting to see the effects of a Budget that had been trailed for months as one of tax rises and pain for those with the “broadest shoulders”. Exactly the same as happened this year with Budget uncertainty paralysing decision making but while the end of 2024 was slow, the end of 2025 is seemingly buzzing with deals being done even as I write this on 16^th December. A number of these deals will complete in January but we have some determined buyers wanting to get their next boat’s keys in their hand by Christmas. I expect we’ll be busier than normal straight after the New Year so if you are thinking of selling, it will be worth getting in touch with the team in early January to take advantage of this post-Budget surge in activity.

The split between the relative strengths of the market in power and sail are still evident 12 months down the line with the market for yachts continuing to see high levels of activity but still with caveats that prices are softer and the boats that sell for the best money are the well maintained ones with no looming big bills such as replacing standing rigging and/or sails.

The powerboat market is slower but with some noticeable trends depending on exactly what sort of powerboat. Day boats, as with 2024, are having a tough time. The rampant demand of post-lockdown days has really fallen away. New and used boats in this category are both suffering so I think for 2026, prices may fall further unless something changes within the demographic that usually buys this sort of boat. There are some fabulous deals to be had at the moment so I hope they do!

Again, similarly to 2024, the bigger the motorboat, the better the market. Sports cruisers & flybridge motor yachts are less affected by cost-of-living pressures and they are still selling in relatively good time and for good prices although buyers know they have the negotiating power at the moment.

For new boats, the Autumn shows across Europe reported strong sales and we are especially excited about the new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 415 and 455. These new models take the brand to the next level and, remarkably, both boats come in cheaper than the models they are replacing. Let’s hope the optimism from those shows translates into a strong 2026 for the UK market – there are certainly positive signs with the level of activity we are seeing right now.