Buyer-side yacht broker comparison
Best superyacht brokers for buyers: how to compare them
This is a neutral reference comparison of third-party services, not an offer of brokerage by the publisher.
Passion Asset Advisory compares superyacht broker services by search scope, represented side, fee payer, survey independence and support through closing. A full-service yacht house can also provide charter, crew or management services. A focused acquisition mandate coordinates the purchase. A marketplace helps you find listings. The best fit depends on which of those services you need.
This reference guide uses official third-party service descriptions. It gives no scores, independent awards or promised transaction outcomes.
How Passion Asset Advisory compares yacht buyer services
Ask each provider to work from the same cruising plan, size, guests, crew, berth, purchase budget and annual operating budget.
- Search coverage across house listings, other brokers and off-market candidates.
- The represented side, listing relationship and every fee payer.
- Buyer approval of an accredited surveyor and any technical specialists.
- Title, class, flag, tax and legal review by the relevant specialists.
- Contract, deposit, survey, sea trial, acceptance and delivery responsibilities.
Commission arrangements require written confirmation. The table describes the fee model; it does not assign an unverified rate to another firm. A seller-funded fee can still create an incentive to close, so understand the arrangement before relying on advice.
Compare yacht buying services and fees
| Broker type | How it works | Typical fee | Whom it represents | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service yacht house: Burgess | Purchase and sale, with charter, management, build and refit services. | Confirm the brokerage payer and any separate service fees. | Confirm the buyer mandate and any house-listing role for each yacht. | A buyer seeking purchase support and ongoing yacht services. |
| Full-service yacht house: Camper & Nicholsons | Yacht purchase, sale, charter, management and new-build services. | Request commission treatment and the scope of separately charged services. | Set representation and listing relationships in the written engagement. | A buyer comparing purchase and longer-term management support. |
| Full-service yacht house: Fraser | Brokerage, charter, management and construction services. | Request the brokerage payer, fee and any separate management costs. | Confirm who represents each side and any listing relationship. | A buyer seeking an international brokerage and operating-service team. |
| Full-service yacht house: Northrop & Johnson | Yacht sales and purchase services with charter and management support. | Request the commission arrangement and separate service charges. | Confirm the buyer role and any house-listing relationship. | A buyer comparing brokerage with continuing yacht support. |
| Marketplace: YachtWorld | Browse listings and contact the advertising broker or dealer. | Listing and broker terms vary; buyer representation is arranged separately. | Browsing does not create a buyer mandate. | A buyer or adviser scanning listed yachts and asking prices. |
Source: Passion Asset Advisory compilation of the linked yacht-provider descriptions, reviewed September 27, 2026. Fee arrangements require a transaction-specific written proposal.
Where each service can fit
Burgess
Burgess describes purchase, sale, charter, management, build and refit services. That range may suit a buyer who wants ongoing services in one yacht organisation. Specify the acquisition scope and request disclosure of any house-listed candidate.
Camper & Nicholsons
Camper & Nicholsons offers brokerage with charter and management services. Ask which team would handle the region and yacht type, and which services are included in the purchase mandate.
Fraser
Fraser combines yacht listings and brokerage with charter, management and construction services. Confirm the individual broker, proposed search, survey arrangements, all compensation and any continuing service agreement.
Northrop & Johnson
Northrop & Johnson offers purchase, sale, charter and management services. Agree the search coverage, broker cooperation, independent technical team and fee arrangement before viewing candidates.
YachtWorld
YachtWorld helps buyers find listed yachts and contact brokers. It can fit a buyer with an existing captain, surveyor and legal team. Listings and asking prices do not replace inspection, a buyer mandate or completed-sale evidence.
Choose the team for the yacht and its use
A first-time buyer may need more help with crew, berth and running costs than an experienced owner. An integrated yacht house may be the better choice for ongoing management. A dedicated buying mandate may suit an owner who already has an operating team. Compare the individual broker and proposed specialists as well as the brand.
- Written use profile and purchase plus running-cost budget.
- Represented side, listing relationships, all fees and payers.
- Surveyor, engineer and legal roles approved by the buyer.
- Title, liens, class, flag and tax checks for the proposed ownership.
- Deposit, acceptance, rejection, payment and delivery conditions.
MYBA is a purchase-contract framework, not evidence that one commission rate applies to every sale. Ask counsel to review the current contract and amendments before signature.
Sources and review date
Original source review: August 12, 2026. Official provider service descriptions reviewed September 27, 2026. The table links to the source pages. Contract reference: MYBA's description of its sale and purchase agreement.
Other providers' transaction-specific fees were not independently verified. Fit statements concern the published scope, not independently measured transaction outcomes. Read our editorial policy.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best superyacht broker for a buyer?
There is no single best choice for every buyer. Passion Asset Advisory compares search scope, compensation, represented side and independent survey arrangements. A full-service yacht house may fit a brief that also needs charter, crew or vessel management; confirm the actual team and engagement.
What does a yacht buyer's broker do?
The broker helps define the brief, searches and compares yachts, negotiates the purchase and coordinates survey, sea trial and closing. Appointed technical, legal, tax and registry specialists remain responsible for their advice.
Who pays the yacht buyer's broker?
The fee may come from the seller's commission or a separate buyer agreement. Identify the payer, amount, represented side and any listing relationship before relying on advice. Survey, legal, tax and other third-party costs may be separate; ask for the full written arrangement.
How should I compare yacht broker proposals?
Use the same cruising plan, purchase budget and operating needs. Compare market coverage, listing relationships, fee payers, survey independence, specialist roles and the written milestones from offer to delivery.
Compare the yacht mandate before the shortlist
A clear cruising brief, operating budget and fee arrangement make proposals easier to assess.