The first thing to consider when investing in a superyacht is the type of vessel you want. There are a multitude of superyacht build styles and categories to choose from, each offering a different experience on the water. Whether you’re a classic lover looking to own a piece of yachting history, or a thrill-seeker who needs a hardy expedition yacht for exploring far-flung destinations, there is a superyacht in the Camper & Nicholsons sales fleet for every kind of owner – so which one will suit you best for your next pre-owned or new build purchase?

Sailing yachts

Primarily powered by wind with a motor to assist with navigation in unfavourable weather conditions, sailing yachts are often favoured by sporty owners looking for a hands-on experience at sea. Sailing yachts come in a range of styles, influenced by sizing, rigging-type and the number of sails – examples include sloops, which have one mast, ketches, which have two, and schooners which can have up to seven.

As well as offering a traditional cruising experience on the water, owning a sailing superyacht also allows competitive owners to participate in action-filled racing regattas. Though typically cruised at a slower pace than motor yachts, some modern sailing yachts for sale with Camper & Nicholsons can still hit decent speeds when the winds are right – such as the 45.3 metre regatta regular Blush, which has a top speed of 14 knots.

Motor yachts

Motor yachts are commonly powered by a diesel engine and can cruise in any conditions, with stabilisers installed for optimum comfort on board. Industry-wide sales numbers show that motor-powered vessels remain the most popular choice, with 788 motor yachts sold by all brokers in 2021, compared to just 52 sailing yachts.

There are two main types of motor vessels defined by differing hull shapes. A planning yacht has a hull that rides on top of the waves and is built for speed, while displacement yachts are designed for blue water cruising with deeper drafts and rounded hulls that allow them to cut through the water, offering enhanced seakeeping qualities and longer ranges. A semi-displacement motor yacht mixes the qualities of the two, with a rounded hull for ample storage combined with flat sections to decrease rolling at anchor and to reduce drag when cruising at higher speeds. Other motor yacht styles on the sales market include flybridge yachts, which measure under 54 metres in length and have only two decks with a second wheelhouse, or trideck and multi-deck yachts which will be longer and offer more space.

Compared with sailing yachts, motor yachts are generally larger in length and volume. They can offer more amenities as well as an increased number of cabins. One of the largest vessels in Camper & Nichsolsons’ sales fleet is the 65.20 metre Callisto, which is offered for sale for the first time since her launch in 2006 and boasts an impressive interior volume of 1,306GT with a gym, elevator, extended swimming platform and large toy garage to boot. The 60.20 metre Sarastar is another sizable motor yacht for sale with Camper & Nicholsons, carrying some of the flashier features found on motor yachts such as a helipad, a climate-controlled winter garden and an expansive beach club.

Multi-hulls

Multi-hulls can be powered by motor or wind but will feature either two (catamaran) or three (trimaran) separate hulls instead of the traditional monohull superyacht design. Camper & Nicholsons’ sales fleet includes one of the world’s largest sailing catamarans, the 31.1 metre Ipharra, which boasts a cockpit and flybridge measuring 50 square metres each and equipped with al fresco dining spaces, a private owner’s deck and an open-air cinema.

This construction style offers greater stability on the water as well as increased interior volumes, providing more privacy for owners, guests and crew between the hulls. With their typically shallow drafts, mutli-hull yachts are a preferred option for owners wanting to explore Bahamian bays or other shallow waterways that are otherwise off-limits to other superyachts.

Sports cruiser

Also referred to as an open yacht, a sports cruiser is ideally suited to speed-seekers. These planing hull motor yachts are designed with sporty lines, using hydrodynamic construction materials and powerful engines to reach blistering speeds on the water. To optimise performance on the water, these modern superyachts will also feature contemporary interior styling with lightweight material finishes in smaller living spaces. One of the fastest sports cruisers for sale with Camper & Nicholsons’ is the 26.05 metre Otam Flagship Attitude, which can hit a blistering top speed of 47 knots.

Owners opting for this type of superyacht will enjoy exhilarating cruising experiences on the water and will be able to cover greater distances in a shorter amount of time for a fully-packed itinerary when on board.

Sportfish

The clue is in the name, but sportfish (or sportsfish) yachts are designed for owners with a passion for angling. These yachts have a distinctive profile with a large cockpit and performance-focused hulls for chasing catch in any weather conditions. Special features designed for deep sea game fishing that are often found on sportfishers include rod and tackle collections, fighting chairs and plenty of storage space for carrying live bait and other gear. Many sportfishers will also be equipped with a barbecue grill so that the chef can serve up fresh catch of the day at mealtimes.

Classics

Sailing or motor vessels delivered more than 25 years ago are considered classics. Dating back to the bygone eras of yachting, these boats are built with traditional profiles and are constructed with wooden or steel hulls.

Classics may require more attention and upkeep, but their owners take pride in the knowledge that they are preserving a piece of history. These yachts will draw attention wherever they go, and some are regarded as celebrities within the superyacht world because of their fascinating pasts and history of eccentric ownership.

Hailing from a time when the pace of life was slower, classics will cruise at a more leisurely speed over shorter distances but can still offer impressive performances at sea if properly maintained. The 27.94 metre classic sailing yacht De Vrouwe Christina, for example, is for sale with Camper & Nicholsons and dates back to 1957 but has proven her mettle by cruising to Alaska, New England and South America as well as across the Atlantic at least six times. For owners who are avid sailors, there are also special regattas held throughout the year where these classics can prove that their performance is still up to par after decades on the water.

Prospective buyers who are charmed by the transportive look and feel of classics, but are looking for something more low-maintenance, can also opt for modern yachts designed as classic replica.

Explorer yachts

Explorer yachts are best suited to adventurous owners looking to venture far from the milk run. They can also be called expedition yachts and are designed for undertaking longer voyages in tough conditions, able to cruise to extreme destinations like the north and south poles. To do this, these yachts are equipped with a tough, full-displacement steel hull, which is Ice or Polar-Class certified and is specifically shaped for moving through pack ice. This defining feature is what gives explorer yachts their distinctively robust and masculine look.

A longer cruising range as well as larger interior volumes with heavy-duty supplies storage are other key components of an explorer. The combination of these features facilitates access to secluded locations far away from civilisation. Additionally, explorers will often be equipped with impressively-stocked toyboxes for guests to fully explore uncharted destinations through thrill-seeking activities like heli-skiing, snowmobile sledding or submarine and scuba diving. Some explorers also carry a scientific research lab or a medical suite to prepare for longer periods away from shore. Antonini Navi’s 46.6 metre new build Explorer Classic, due to be delivered in 2024 and now for sale with Camper & Nichsolsons, exemplifies the key features found on board expedition yachts: a bulbous steel hull, a cruising range of 4,5000 nautical miles, a helipad and a toy garage for carrying RIBs, a submersible and scuba diving gear.

Support vessels

A support or shadow yacht functions as a supply vessel to a larger superyacht. Providing additional storage for carrying the latest toys and tech, these superyachts are cruised in tandem with a primary mothership which holds accommodations for owners and guests. Support yachts are characterised by large interior volumes, an expansive stern deck, helipads and a well-stocked, oversized garage. They typically carry large cranes in order to launch the toys carried on board, which could include anything from tenders and submarines to cars and helicopters. Some support vessels might be dedicated to marine research, with longer cruising ranges for offshore exploration and interiors outfitted with scientific laboratories. There is often extra crew accommodation on board support vessels, particularly where trained specialists are needed to operate specific toys and gadgets stored on board. This enables owners and their guests to experience all the adrenaline-pumping activities they desire while still enjoying a generous amount of space on board the primary vessel, even for larger parties.

Hybrids

A new generation of motor yachts on the sales market are hybrids. Combining fuel-efficient engines with battery-powered propulsion systems, hybrid superyachts offer reduced carbon footprints without compromising on comfort. Hybrid engines are compliant with the International Maritime Organisation’s latest Tier III emissions regulations and will offer a variety of cruising modes with the added benefits of reduced noise levels and fuel consumption while underway. Designed for owners with a keen sense of eco-consciousness, some hybrid yachts will be equipped with additional “green” elements such as engine filters, solar panels or a dynamic positioning system to reduce damage to the seabed when dropping anchor. For added sustainability, some hybrid yachts even incorporate recycled construction and design materials, or use a special non-biocide antifouling layer.