Whether rooted in decades of history or new to the world stage, today’s yacht builders are shaping a new definition of luxury—one that prioritizes sustainability, personal expression, and soulful experiences aboard. Gone are the days when size alone defined a vessel’s prestige. Today, we focus on what a yacht enables: time with family, spontaneous exploration, the feeling of salt on skin and teak beneath bare feet. These yachts are not objects of desire; they are platforms for a life well-lived.
A new generation of owners—entrepreneurs, creatives, multigenerational families—are seeking so much more than status symbols. They want floating sanctuaries, design-forward spaces, and seamless performance at sea. And the world’s top yacht manufacturers are listening. From Northern Europe to the Italian coast, these eight superyacht brands are charting the course in 2025.
Eight of the Best Motor Yacht Brands in 2025
#1 Feadship (Netherlands)
Feadship is less a yacht brand and more a legacy—one that has quietly dominated the yacht-building world for decades. A collaboration between Royal Van Lent and De Vries shipyards, Feadship is renowned for custom superyachts that embody the highest standards of craftsmanship and engineering. Each yacht is a one-off, built entirely around its owner’s individual preferences and lifestyle.
In 2025, Feadship continues to pioneer hybrid propulsion systems and advanced sustainability features, all while preserving its signature aesthetic: timeless lines, stunning interiors, and an almost obsessive attention to detail. These are floating sculptures.
From the Caribbean to the Côte d’Azur, Feadship vessels turn heads—not because they demand attention, but because they quietly command it. Whether it’s a 70-meter flagship cruising past Monaco or a 90-meter custom yacht delivering guests into a private cove, Feadship blends power and restraint like no one else in the industry.
#2 Lürssen (Germany)
When it comes to building superyachts at scale, few can rival the German precision of Lürssen. The brand has become synonymous with megayachts—vessels over 100 meters that combine engineering might with palatial style. But what sets Lürssen apart in 2025 isn’t just their capacity—it’s their imagination.
At its state-of-the-art facilities near Bremen, Lürssen has begun redefining what’s possible in yacht construction. Their collaborations with renowned designers result in yachts that blur the line between luxury vessel and floating resort. Think: glass-bottom pools, wellness centers, panoramic lounges, and cinema rooms that feel more like private screening salons.
Lürssen’s commitment to sustainable cruising includes battery technology, waste heat recovery systems, and future-ready fuel solutions. For owners who want both scale and conscience, this brand delivers at the highest level. The world’s most talked-about superyachts in 2025? Chances are, Lürssen built them.
#3 Sanlorenzo (Italy)
Italian shipyards have long defined style, but Sanlorenzo has elevated it to a new form of quiet luxury. Based in La Spezia, this yacht brand has built its reputation on semi custom yachts that reflect an owner’s life—not just their taste. As Kim Ayling writes in this article for Elite Traveler…
“Sanlorenzo is continuously regarded as being among the best in class when it comes to yacht builders and has been the recipient of numerous awards in its near-65 year lifetime.”
Sanlorenzo’s signature is discretion. Their yachts don’t scream wealth—they whisper elegance. The lines are clean. The interiors, often designed in collaboration with top names from the architecture and fashion worlds, are curated down to the last fiber. In 2025, Sanlorenzo’s Asymmetric and SP lines are redefining modern yachting: more glass, more open space, more light, more life.
Innovation is built into the brand’s DNA, with sustainable materials, hybrid propulsion, and onboard systems designed to minimize environmental impact while maximizing pleasure. For those seeking a superyacht that balances beauty with purpose, Sanlorenzo leads the way.
#4 Benetti (Italy)
As one of the oldest yacht manufacturers in the world, Benetti brings over a century of shipbuilding heritage to every vessel. Yet nothing about its 2025 fleet feels stuck in the past. Quite the opposite: Benetti’s B.Now and Oasis series are forward-looking, fluid, and unmistakably fresh.
These motor yachts are crafted for owners who believe luxury should feel lived in. Wide beach clubs open to the sea. Lounges flow effortlessly from interior to exterior. And the sense of space—always generous, never imposing—makes every journey feel like a retreat.
Benetti’s semi-custom yachts allow for creative flexibility without compromising on craftsmanship. Whether exploring the Greek islands or docking off the Amalfi Coast, Benetti yachts carry with them a sense of quiet confidence. They are designed for cruising, yes—but also for discovering.
#5 Heesen (Netherlands)
If Feadship is the artist and Lürssen the engineer, Heesen is the rebel—a shipyard with a passion for performance and a flair for design. Known for building fast-displacement superyachts that are both swift and smooth, Heesen’s reputation in 2025 is firmly rooted in delivering yachts that thrill as much as they soothe.
Recent Heesen deliveries showcase cutting-edge technology beneath sculptural exteriors: lightweight steel and aluminum hulls, hybrid engines, and smart automation that simplifies life at sea. Their attention to detail, from custom lighting systems to acoustic insulation, speaks to an obsessive love of the craft.
Heesen yachts are as at home speeding through the Med as they are anchored off a tranquil coast. For owners who crave both freedom and finesse, this is where performance meets pleasure.
#6 Amels / Damen Yachting (Netherlands)
Amels Yachts, operating under the Damen Yachting umbrella, represents the best of semi custom yacht building in 2025. Known for their Limited Editions range, Amels delivers yachts with a harmonious balance of bespoke expression and engineering efficiency. It’s a formula that has earned them a devoted global following.
With shipyards in Vlissingen and deep experience providing yachts across the globe, Damen Yachting offers owners the peace of mind that comes from working with a shipbuilder that understands both ambition and logistics. Their designs are forward-thinking—spacious beach clubs, heli decks, wellness lounges—and their execution, flawless.
The brand is also leading the charge in sustainable yacht construction, with hybrid propulsion and recyclable materials now standard in many builds. For those who value both freedom and responsibility, Amels creates yachts that reflect a more conscious kind of luxury.
#7 Sunseeker (United Kingdom)
There’s a distinct energy that Sunseeker brings to the yachting industry—fast, fearless, and unmistakably British. Known for its sports cruisers and dynamic motor yachts, the brand has cultivated a loyal audience of owners who want style and thrill in equal measure.
Sunseeker’s Predator and 100 Yacht series are a masterclass in modern aggression: sleek hulls, expansive glazing, and interiors that balance edge with comfort. Every line suggests movement. Every feature is a decision made for performance. And in 2025, Sunseeker continues to push into larger superyacht territory without losing its core DNA.
For coastal cruising or high-speed escapes to the Balearics, these boats deliver both pleasure and power. Sunseeker isn’t for everyone—and that’s exactly the point.
#8 Princess Yachts (United Kingdom)
Founded in 1965, Princess Yachts has established itself as one of the UK’s premier luxury yacht manufacturers. Known for their meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality, Princess now offers a diverse range of motor yachts that blend performance with elegance.
In 2025, Princess continues to innovate with models like the F58 Flybridge, which debuted at Boot Düsseldorf. This yacht features a spacious flybridge designed for entertaining, a foredeck terrace with twin sunpads, and a full-beam owner’s stateroom below deck.
Princess’s dedication to craftsmanship is evident in their in-house production processes, where over 80% of each yacht is built internally. This vertical integration ensures consistent quality and allows for a high degree of customization to meet individual preferences.
What About Sailing Yachts?
While motor yachts dominate the spotlight in 2025, the world of luxury sailing yachts continues to evolve with equal parts grace and ingenuity. For those who seek a quieter kind of journey—one that prioritizes the feel of wind in the sails and the poetry of movement—these brands are the custodians of tradition and innovation.
Royal Huisman (Netherlands)
Few names in the yachting industry evoke as much reverence as Royal Huisman. With a heritage dating back to 1884, this Dutch shipyard is synonymous with meticulous craftsmanship and uncompromising performance. Known for building some of the most technically advanced sailing yachts in the world, Royal Huisman treats every build as a masterpiece—whether it’s a classic schooner or a high-performance sloop with composite hulls and carbon spars.
In 2025, Royal Huisman continues to lead with innovation in hybrid energy systems, lightweight construction, and digital sailing interfaces. Their yachts are designed not only to cross oceans but to elevate every nautical mile into a tactile, immersive experience.
Perini Navi (Italy)
Reemerging with a bold new vision under The Italian Sea Group, Perini Navi remains a benchmark in large sailing yacht construction. Famous for its pioneering work in automated sailing systems and flybridge designs, the brand’s legacy lives on in a new generation of vessels that combine elegance with power.
Perini Navi’s current builds include sleek ketches and sloops outfitted with expansive deck lounges, wellness spaces, and state-of-the-art rigging. These aren’t throwbacks—they’re forward-leaning explorations of what sailing can be when beauty and technology are given equal weight.
Together, brands like Royal Huisman and Perini Navi remind us that the essence of yachting isn’t always speed or size—it’s connection. To wind. To water. To the world.
The New Language of Luxury at Sea
Whether you’re drawn to Sanlorenzo’s Italian restraint, Lürssen’s monumental ambition, or Amels’ flexible sophistication, the best luxury yacht brands of 2025 are nothing short of engineering excellence.
Of course, selecting a brand is only the beginning. From initial design to final delivery, building a superyacht is a journey measured in years, not months. A fully custom build can take anywhere from two to seven years depending on complexity, shipyard capacity, and engineering requirements. Even semi-custom yachts, though faster to deliver, demand careful planning—from selecting layouts and materials to final sea trials.
Prospective owners should also consider after-sale service, charter management options, crew recruitment, and flag registration. Think of this process as a partnership between owner and builder—one built on trust, vision, and long-term care.
In the end, the best yacht is the one that feels like it was made just for you—because it was.
