What’s that sweet, salty fragrance wafting through the build sheds of Europe? It’s not the fake new-car smell that automotive engineers and chemists expend so much time and energy tweaking to massage our senses and help us validate our purchases. It’s related, but not the same. Instead, it’s that new-boat smell. And it appears to be making its way in increasing volumes to U.S. shores.

Yachtbuilders weren’t exactly hurting before the pandemic, but the surge of new orders a year ago had them surprised and downright giddy. Visits to a dozen or so yards this past June showed the excitement continues. Despite lingering pricing challenges with materials, supply-chain uncertainties, labor shortages, the Ukraine war and economic turmoil in some places, European builders are still high on the continued strong demand for new yachts of all types and sizes. It’s as if some YOLO alert went out and the people responded in earnest.

And now, yachtbuilders are scrambling to find more physical space to cover the still-burgeoning demand. Nearly every yard I visited was planning to expand or looking for space and sheds to acquire.

Where are all these clients coming from? As usual, a large percentage are coming from the United States. I’ve long been in the habit of asking builders what percentage of their clientele comprises Americans. I’m generally not surprised to hear numbers of 30 to 50 percent. But on this last visit, I was hearing as much as 70 percent. That’s great news for Yachts International, since our audience is composed primarily of Americans. Hence, our tagline: “Bringing the world to the American yachtsman.”

As opposed to the BRICS nations, which are coming around slowly to the idea of owning and using boats, America’s yachting roots are deep and ingrained. America has always been awash in enterprise and affluence, and has the infrastructure and cultural proclivity to nurture a love of boats and boating among citizens of all ages. We have alluring, scenic coastlines with many options for socializing or being alone with the elements.

One thing I’ve begun to notice, though, is that while yacht buyers still are overwhelmingly male, women buyers are on the uptick. It’s about time. In another notable demographic shift, more younger buyers are discovering the pleasures of spending time on the water. With these people in mind, I’m open to suggestions for a more inclusive tagline for this magazine.

Can this—let’s call it a boom—continue? Sure it can. As global wealth keeps expanding, the most durable symbol of success is a new boat. The bigger the better. Here’s to further propagation of that new-boat smell, in America and around the globe. 

This article was originally published in the Fall 2023 issue.