yachts built in the uk

UK Sailboat Brands: The Top 21 Sailing Yachts and Brands of Britain

Published by sail on february 8, 2023 february 8, 2023.

The UK has a long history of excellence in shipbuilding and sailing, producing some of the most cutting-edge and stunning sailing ships in the world. There are several UK Sailboat Brands, each with a distinct specialty and set of talents. You can locate a firm in the UK that can match your needs whether you’re searching for a traditional wooden yacht, a contemporary GRP sailboat, or a custom-built power catamaran. The UK is a fantastic destination to find your next boat because of its rich nautical history, reputation for excellence, and commitment to innovation.

In this post, we’ll examine the top UK Sailboat Brands, each of which has distinctive characteristics and features.

One of Oyster Yachts’ flagship models, this magnificent yacht provides a roomy and opulent sailing experience. For discriminating sailors who appreciate comfort, style, and performance, the Oyster 885 is the ideal option thanks to its elegant lines, cutting-edge technology, and contemporary design.

A gorgeous sailing boa t from Spirit Yachts, the Spirit 100 offers a high-performance sailing experience with a dash of grace and beauty. This 100-foot yacht is perfect for sailing, racing, or just lounging on the water thanks to its lovely carbon-fiber hull and roomy deck.

Gunfleet 74

For individuals who desire the utmost in performance and luxury, Gunfleet Marine has created the exquisite Gunfleet 74 sailing yacht. The Gunfleet 74 is a top pick for sailors who desire the best of both worlds because of her svelte carbon-fiber hull, cutting-edge technology, and roomy living quarters.

A traditional sailing yacht by Rustler Yachts, the 44-foot Rustler provides a safe, pleasant, and traditional sailing experience. This 44-foot yacht has a stunning wooden hull, traditional lines, and cutting-edge technology, making it a great option for individuals who value sailing’s timeless beauty.

Discovery 67

A beautiful sailing yacht from Discovery Yachts, the Discovery 67 provides a roomy and comfortable sailing experience with a dash of innovation and ingenuity. This 67-foot sailing boat is the ideal option for individuals looking for a sailing yacht that stands out from the crowd thanks to its distinctive and inventive design, state-of-the-art technology, and roomy interior.

Arbor Yachts

The Arbor 26 is the company’s signature product, and Arbor Boats is a maker of wooden yachts. Another boat manufacturer in the UK is Blaxton Boats, which offers dayboats and yachts with sail and engine options. Modern GRP yachts between 35 and 48 feet in length are the focus of Bowman Yachts. The Parker 235 GRP daysailer, available from BP Sailboats, is ideal for individuals seeking a high-performance boat for day outings.

Bristol Classic Boat

Your boat will be distinctive and long-lasting thanks to the custom wooden boats and restoration services offered by Bristol Classic Boat Co. The 20-31 foot modern GRP yachts produced by British Hunter are well renowned for fusing traditional design with cutting-edge technology. Sailing and power catamarans are the company’s specialties, and they offer adaptable and sturdy boats for a variety of boating activities. Butler & Co. is a wooden boat builder that upholds the enduring beauty of wooden boats by providing traditional boatbuilding services.

If you want to have more details about UK sailboat brands then here you can find a comprehensive range of sailboat data for over 10000+ boats.

Cape Cutter

The CC19 traditional daysailer, a small and capable sailboat ideal for day voyages, is the focus of Cape Cutter, a UK Sailboat Brands boat manufacturer headquartered in the UK. Unique wooden yachts are created by Cockwells to the greatest standards and according to the requirements of their owners. A selection of GRP pilot-cutters and traditional-style GRP yachts, ranging in length from 17 to 43 feet, are available from Cornish Crabbers/Mystery. Wooden boats of the highest caliber that are both attractive and useful are made by David Moss.

Demon Yachts

Smaller yachts and keelboats are Demon Yachts’ specialty, and they are built to order to meet the individual requirements of their clients. Drascombe constructs traditional GRP yawls, offering vessels that fuse traditional design with contemporary engineering. Custom yacht builders Farrow & Chambers produce high-quality, long-lasting boats out of wood and epoxy. A variety of dinghies, dayboats, and kayaks are available from Fyne Boat Kits, making them ideal for individuals wishing to construct their own boats.

Gaffers & Luggers

The classic wooden working boats offered by Gaffers & Luggers range in length from 23 to 28 feet. The 43-foot modern GRP cruiser from Gunfleet Marine is ideal for individuals looking for a high-performance boat for longer voyages. With a focus on traditional GRP dayboats, Honnor Marine combines traditional design with cutting-edge engineering. Traditional wooden boat builder Ian B. Richardson upholds the enduring beauty of wooden boats.

British Hunter

The UK-based company British Hunter produces contemporary GRP yachts. Their boats, which range in length from 20 to 31 feet, are built for both comfort and efficiency. The newest materials and technology are used in the construction of British Hunter yachts to provide you with a comfortable and safe sailing experience. They are the ideal choice for individuals who want a boat that is simple to manage and that gives an exceptional sailing performance.

BroadBlue is also one of the UK Sailboat Brands. They offer catamarans for sailing and propulsion are their areas of expertise. In order to give you a safe and enjoyable sailing experience, their boats are made with the most up-to-date materials and technology and are designed to deliver exceptional performance and handling. Broadblue provides the ideal boat for your needs, whether you’re searching for a powerful and roomy power catamaran or a quick and maneuverable sailing catamaran.

Butler & Co

This specialized in making old-fashioned wooden boats. Their boats are created to the greatest levels of quality and craftsmanship, and they provide a variety of services, including new builds, restorations, and repairs. Butler & Co. can assist you in finding the ideal boat for your requirements, whether you’re looking for a historic boat that has been refurbished or a classic sailing yacht.

Blaxton Boats

A company called Blaxton Boats sells a variety of sail- and power-powered dayboats and yachts. You may be sure to discover a boat that meets your requirements and aesthetic preferences because they come in a range of sizes and types. In order to give you a safe and enjoyable sailing experience, their boats are made with the most up-to-date materials and technology and are designed to deliver exceptional performance and handling.

Bowman Yachts

Modern GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) boats are the focus of the UK-based company Bowman Yachts. Their boats, which range in length from 35 to 48 feet, are built for both comfort and efficiency. For individuals looking for a boat that combines historic style with contemporary technology and materials, Bowman Yachts are ideal, and their boats are constructed to the highest standards.

BP Sailboats

GRP daysailer boats are the company’s area of expertise. The Parker 235, a sleek and fashionable yacht ideal for day outings and weekend sailing excursions, is their most popular model. The Parker 235 is developed with the most up-to-date materials and technology to give you a pleasant and joyful sailing experience. It is designed to deliver exceptional performance and handling.

Stirling & Son

A UK-based business called Stirling & Son specializes in creating unique wooden ships. The company is dedicated to providing custom boats that satisfy each client’s particular demands and requirements, with a concentration on traditional designs and construction methods. They assist clients to realize their ideas by providing a full design and build service. One of the top wooden boat builders in the UK, Stirling & Son is renowned for its attention to detail and high-caliber craftsmanship.

Swallow Boats

This business specializes in the creation of Bay Cruisers. These boats include contemporary amenities and technologies while maintaining a timeless and traditional design. They are ideal for exploring the shoreline, inland waterways, or estuaries because they are built to be both functional and fashionable. Swallow Boats offers a variety of models, each with a distinctive style and set of characteristics, and can also build custom boats to satisfy certain needs.

Swallowtail Boatyard

There is yet another business that specialised in classic Norfolk Broads boats. They provide a variety of services, such as boat construction, maintenance, and rental. Because Swallowtail Boatyard is dedicated to upholding the history and customs of the Norfolk Broads, their boats are made in a manner that reflects this. Their boats are renowned for their fine craftsmanship and attention to detail, and they employ traditional methods and materials.

T. Nielsen & Company

This business specializes in the construction and repair of tall ships. They provide the whole spectrum of services, from the initial concept to the final building and launch. With years of expertise in building and renovating tall ships, T. Nielsen & Company’s team of talented craftsmen and engineers guarantees that every job is executed to the highest standards. They are dedicated to conserving the UK’s maritime legacy and have worked on a variety of projects, from major commercial vessels to tiny traditional sailing ships.

Voyaging Yachts

Custom sailing yacht design and construction are the focus of the UK-based business Voyaging Yachts. They provide a wide variety of services, including design, construction, and refitting, and their team of professionals can assist clients in realizing their ideas. With years of experience producing high-quality sailing yachts, Voyaging Yachts is dedicated to providing clients with custom boats that are tailored to their individual requirements. They are renowned for their attention to detail, superior craftsmanship, and creative designs, and sailors from all over the world like their yachts.

In conclusion, these UK Sailboat Brands are just a fraction of the amazing sailing ships built by Britain’s skilled shipbuilders. You’re sure to discover the ideal yacht among these high-caliber ships, whether you’re searching for performance, luxury, or just a gorgeous sailing experience. Why then wait? Start your next sailing journey right away to experience the finest Britain has to offer.

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10 of the best British superyachts

Britain has a strong boatbuilding heritage, launching some beautiful and historically important yachts. Today, British superyacht building is unassuming in its dominance – you might be surprised to learn Britain holds the number four ranking on the 2015 Global Order Book , claiming 2,216 metres of yachts more than 24 metres LOA in build.

One of the best British superyachts launched in recent years was also one of the most secretive, and  Boat International  is the only magazine to have featured her. At 96 metres, Vava II is the largest on this list. Designed by Redman Whiteley Dixon with interior styling Remi Tessier , she was built by Devonport , which was acquired and renamed Pendennis Plus.

More about this yacht

The sixth largest classic yacht in the world, Nahlin was designed by GL Watson and built by Brown J in the UK in 1930 for the British aristocrat Lady Yule. She’s certainly earned her best British superyacht badge, having ferried none other than Britain’s King Edward VIII with his American mistress and soon wife-to-be Wallis Simpson before his abdication from the throne.

Perhaps this British-built yacht should be know as the first superyacht support vessel. Sir Thomas Sopwith commissioned the 80 metre  Philante , later re-named  Norge , to be a support yacht to his America’s Cup Challenger, the J Class yacht Endeavour ( currently for sale ). Launched by Camper & Nicholsons in 1937,  Norge  – one of the best British superyachts of all time – ferried the sailing yacht’s rig across the Atlantic for racing. She was named Norge after WWII, when she became the royal yacht of Norway.

First launched by Vosper Thornycraft in 2004, M5 emerged from an extensive refit at Pendennis last year sporting a brand new backside and carbon fibre rigging. Her original designer, Ron Holland , oversaw the refit of the 78 metre sailing superyacht, which is widely regarded as one of the best British superyachts, whilst UK firm Redman, Whiteley, Dixon refreshed her interior.

The iconic Shemara was reborn after a recent refit that restored her to her former glory , putting this classic beauty on the list of best British superyachts. Originally launched by JL Thornycroft  in 1938, a loving, seven-year restoration breathed new life into Shemara . The refit maintained her character while updating the yacht with all necessary modern conveniences.

Another British classic revived – Malahne ’s 30-month refit has been called one of the most ambitious of all time. The hard work paid off, as she easily grabs a spot on the list of best British superyachts after Malahne was painstakingly refitted to look as if she had been in service since her launch in 1937. Built by Camper & Nicholsons, Malahne ’s epic history includes service in WWII.

Yachts for charter

Launched in 2014, the newest on this list of best British luxury yachts is Sunseeker's  Blush , owned by former F1 team principal Eddie Jordan. Blush stands out with her trendy light blue hull colour and recognisable Sunseeker styling. The Sunseeker 155 is also the largest yacht to emerge from the yard, that is until the new flagship, the  Sunseeker 168 , launches.

Imperial Princess

In 2012, semi-custom builder Princess entered the custom yacht market with its M Class yacht, Imperial Princess , and hasn’t looked back. After the Princess 40M, Princess introduced its 30M, 32M and 35M as well. Built for an existing Princess owner, the first of the pack, award-winning Imperial Princess , earns a spot on the best British superyachts list.

Yachts for sale

Built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1930, the legendary Shamrock V is the only wooden J Class yacht in existence. The 36 metre sailing yacht Shamrock V is currently for sale , allowing an owner to scoop her up in time for the J Class regatta during the America’s Cup in 2017.

Another yacht currently owned by Eddie Jordan  to earn a space in this list of the best of British-built yachts list is 27 metre Lush . The Oyster yacht is nimble on the water and an adept racer. A popular charter yacht, Lush was chased by whales during the St Barths Bucket this year, as Eddie Jordan recounted . Sailing yacht  Lush is currently for sale .

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The 8 Best New British Yachts on the Water, From Sunseeker to Fairline

Quality among the top u.k. builders is always a given. it's the range of yacht designs that may surprise you..

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As an island, boats have always been the lifeblood of Great Britain. And many British yacht builders continue to uphold the country’s proud naval and maritime traditions. While there are a handful of superyacht builders, the UK isn’t known for eye-wateringly huge megayachts or avant-garde design—though that has changed as its largest international brands compete with the style-obsessed Ferretti Group and Azimut brands.

But what you do find with the Brits is well engineered vessels with a high level of attention to detail in both the interior and exterior design. From semi-custom motoryacht builders like Princess and Sunseeker to the rarefied realm of a highly sought-after Pascoe limousine, there’s something here for nearly every yachtsman.

And thanks to enduring popularity, there is nearly always a British-built sailboat from the Oyster yard, somewhere just over the horizon. In fact, whether you’re cruising the waters of the Caribbean, New England, or the South of France, you’ll find U.K. brands along with the highest luxury offerings from Italy and Northern Europe.

Here are seven of Britain’s finest, newest, and most noteworthy vessels on the water.

Project Fox, Pendennis Shipyard

This 114-foot explorer yacht, overseen by project manager Burgess and in build at the Pendennis shipyard in Falmouth, was designed around the owner’s wishes. It has a rugged exterior that will be paired with a bright, contemporary interior by QLondon Design. The owner told Robb Report that he plans to cruise off-grid to remote areas like Norway for heli-skiing with his family and friends (thus necessitating five large staterooms). But he also wanted family-friendly features like a sun terrace, wine lobby, open-air barbecue, and DJ station. Of course, the real breakthrough here: The open stern, measuring more than 1,100 square feet can carry a large complement of toys and tenders, but also scientific equipment (the interior has space for a modular lab) for when the yacht is hosting research scientists. “Flexible cabins and connectivity are key,” said the owner.

The ubiquitous model of the Pearl lineup, the 72 received a creative new interior design earlier this year with the addition of a stateroom that gives it two master suites. The U.K. yard has always been high on haute design, offering different palettes by British interior designer Kelly Hoppen, but this double-master suite idea is a first for this size of motoryacht. The yard has recently won awards for the naval architecture of its 95, which approaches superyacht status, and it will be launching a new 85-foot flybridge next year.

Fairline Targa 40

Fairline is also among England’s internationally renowned yacht brands, famous for seaworthy hulls and top-tier creature comforts. It hasn’t built yachts as large as competitors Princess and Sunseeker but has been equally creative with the design. The new Targa 40’s cockpit is a case in point. It has an enticing exterior layout, with the cockpit featuring a foldout terrace to starboard and a U-shaped dining settee to port facing the rest of the deck, not to mention the two sun lounges on the stern. The 40 is effectively a dayboat, but with two staterooms, it also works as a family weekender. There’s a master in the forepeak and guest cabin amidships which is best suited for children. The galley below decks is also very functional. Top speed for the Targa is 36 knots with the optional Volvo Penta D6-380 upgrades.

Princess Y80

Along with Sunseeker, Princess Yachts is the other heavyweight of British yacht building. These cruisers and motoryachts have proven to be perennial favorites on both sides of the Atlantic. The Y80 debuting at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival looks to continue the tradition. The Y80 brings to the table an “infinity cockpit” with a glass transom and modular furniture for multiple setups. It also has a flybridge that spans about two-thirds of the yacht’s nearly 84-foot length, effectively creating a legitimate third deck. The Y80’s owner’s stateroom is amidships and full beam, while it has a VIP in the forepeak. Two other guest cabins are to port and starboard. The Y80 has an impressive top speed of 30 knots, but at 10 knots the range is an even more impressive 1,000 nautical miles.

Cockwells Duchy Sport

The 37-foot Duchy Sport from the Cockwells’ yard in Cornwall, famous internationally for its custom tenders, is designed for watersports enthusiasts. This Sport offers multiple towing points for waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing and tubing, with interior space for nine guests. Bow and cockpit sunpads will be popular spots for tanning, while a Bimini covers the amidships. Standout features include a wetbar, retractable swim ladder, bowthruster with joystick control, and of course ample water-toy stowage. The Duchy Sport comes with twin 370 hp Yanmar 8LVs which can get it up to a top speed of 42 knots—a speed befitting of this model’s name. Cockwells is also building a new Duchy 60, a stylized motoryacht that should rival Downeast offerings from U.S. builders Hinckley and Malaysian builder Grand Banks.

The Oyster 495 is a 52-foot, 8-inch sailing yacht that entered the U.S. market earlier this year. A new design from the keel up, the U.K. builder was thinking global circumnavigation, or at least serious offshore cruising, from the onset. The yacht is also meant to be able to be singlehanded by a capable sailor. The plumb bow and teak decks imbue the 495 with a definite saltiness with performance and aesthetics. The cabin is noteworthy for being both ergonomic and well-lit. Reported top speeds for the 495 crest the 10-knot mark under sail, while a 100 hp Yanmar diesel pushes it along happily at 9.5 knots.

Sunseeker Superhawk 55

Sunseeker is one of England’s brands that has a global following. For good reason. The Poole builder has a range of vessels that extend from 38 to 161 feet. Sunseeker is known for good oceangoing performance and creative design. The Superhawk 55 is a reimagining of the Superhawks that enjoyed popularity with performance enthusiasts in the 1990s and Aughts before being discontinued in 2009. Sunseeker introduced the Superhawk 38 in 2020, which had echoes of its go-fast past. This 55, however, is more of a performance cruiser than a day boat. With twin Volvo Penta IPS950s the new Superhawk has a very respectable top end of 38 knots and a feature even Miami Vice hot-boat aficionados will appreciate—slow-speed maneuverability offered by pod propulsion. An aggressively raked profile complemented by stiletto-sharp hullside windows augment the Superhawk’s sporty vibe.

Pascoe E-Limousine Electric Tender

Pascoe tenders reside in the garages of some of the world’s biggest and most glamorous superyachts, thanks to the yard’s dedication to customization. The E-Limousine is the builder’s first fully electric vessel, the result of six years of R&D. Top speed is reported to be an impressive 40 knots, with a range of 60 nautical miles at a fast cruise of 20 knots. The builder says not only is this boat greener than a traditional tender but will also offer a smoother, quieter ride thanks to the construction used to mitigate vibration.

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SPIRIT YACHTS

MODERN CLASSIC YACHT DESIGN & BUILD

Based in Suffolk on the east coast of the UK, Spirit Yachts has a portfolio of custom, wooden sail and power yachts ranging from day sailers to superyachts.

From humble beginnings in the Suffolk countryside, Spirit Yachts now operates from a large waterside facility with a team of highly skilled designers, naval architects, boat builders, cabinet makers, electricians and engineers.

Our portfolio of luxury sailing yachts and elegant power boats win awards, as well as regattas.

TIMELESS ELEGANCE

Spirit Yachts’ contemporary, elegant design style is world-renowned. Subtle variations on 1930s classic yacht design with long overhangs, low profiles and smooth lines, married to contemporary underwater profiles and the latest technology, are synonymous with Spirit’s modern classic cruising, racing , and power yachts .

Spirit yachts are designed to be as beautiful in 100 years as they are today.

“THE SPIRIT TEAM IS WITHOUT DOUBT THE BEST IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO A UNIQUE BUILD EXPERIENCE AND A TIMELESSLY BEAUTIFUL YACHT.”

WORLD-CLASS WOODWORK

Spirit Yachts comprises a talented team of craftsmen and women who are passionate about and dedicated to the highest standards of boat building.

Using hand-selected timber sustainably sourced from responsibly managed forests, Spirit Yachts incorporate the beauty of wood with the latest modern technology for sailing performance and a luxury guest experience.

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Wood is a natural, sustainably-sourced boat building material offering beauty, a favourable strength-to-weight ratio, and durability. Spirit Yachts is committed to the environmental sustainability of its wood and is meticulous in sourcing the highest quality timber from responsibly managed forests and regulated suppliers.

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Welcome to Pendennis

With a history stretching over 35 years, Pendennis Shipyard is one of the world’s leading superyacht refit and custom build facilities renowned for its diverse sailing and motor yacht projects. Based in its 14 acre waterfront location in the thriving maritime town of Falmouth, Pendennis employs over 550 highly skilled tradespeople and has seen its people ethos rewarded with over 30 awards since its foundation.

Pendennis’ heritage and experience include more than 350 refit projects and over 30 custom-made build projects and has been involved with some of the most iconic yachts in the world.

With over 350 refit projects in our portfolio there isn’t much that our knowledgeable team hasn’t encountered when it comes to the complexities of the refit of a client’s yacht.

Restoration

A real labour of love are our multiple restoration projects over the years, taking on the challenge of sympathetically restoring any yacht built in a bygone age.

Bespoke build

We have developed a strong reputation for creating custom superyachts that combine technical excellence with both stunning design and performance in the sailing and motor yacht sectors.

Pendennis employs over 550 highly skilled tradespeople all under one roof, bringing together individuals who have a wealth of experience in the superyacht arena. It is the expertise our people bring and the values they hold that have made Pendennis the company it is today.

Our facilities

In Falmouth, Pendennis provides a world-class full-service facility with direct seaward access, capable of building and restoring custom yachts up to 100 metres. Our Technical Service Centre and 48-berth superyacht marina in Vilanova provides the perfect solution for superyachts looking for Pendennis quality and service in the Mediterranean.

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Whether we are refitting your current yacht or building a new design from scratch, we want to make the time you spend with us enjoyable, memorable and most of all, fun.

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Vava II: What makes the UK’s largest yacht an all-time great

• Superyachts

The largest yacht ever built at a British yard, Vava II features beautiful exterior styling that makes her look sleek and elegant despite her length...

Despite her status as the largest superyacht ever built at a British yard, Vava II’s owner-inspired exterior styling by Redman Whiteley Dixon is not only beautiful but makes the yacht look balanced and sleek.

She’s mainly a yacht of straight lines – the plumb bow, the angle of the superstructure and transom aft to the water, the vertical windows forward – but the sudden kinks of the top deck are a devilish touch.

The interior is by Rémi Tessier. The yacht, refitted at Amels in 2015, has been a regular in cruising hotspots around the world – and she spent the summer of 2016 cruising the Mediterranean.

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“Conceived as a ‘world travelling yacht’, Vava II has exceeded expectations in her extended travels to remote locations and such geographically diverse places as the Indian Ocean islands, Indonesia, Alaska, Polynesia, Patagonia and Antarctica, travelling more than 100,000 nautical miles in a little over four years since delivery,” says Captain Richard Bridge.

“The helicopter deck has been used extensively for the embarked Eurocopter AS350B3 for a mix of transfers, sightseeing, heli-skiing and fishing trips, as well as numerous scientific missions. It will shortly be strengthened to be able to operate the larger twin-engined EC 145 T2.

“The main-deck salon with its glass sliding wall opening to become a part of the main-deck aft pool area has proved extremely popular and gives an option of opening the whole indoor/outdoor area for events and parties.

“Another area that has been used extensively is the expansive beach club – adding a large additional deck space, as well as a platform from which to operate the selection of tenders on board.

“The tender garages themselves have doubled as logistics platforms when operating in remote areas such as the Antarctic peninsula and during scientific missions in the Indian Ocean.”

Where is she now? Cruising privately.

VAVA II specifications

Yard: Devonport/Pendennis Year: 2012 LOA: 96.0m Designer: Redman Whiteley Dixon

First published in 2016 as part of Super Yacht World’s Hall of Fame.

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Spirit Yachts: Inside the British yard behind some of the world’s most beautiful boats

• February 6, 2020

Few builders possess the power of seduction demonstrated by British wood epoxy experts Spirit Yachts. David Glenn reports

Spirit Yachts’s workforce with one of the laminated sapele frames of the Spirit 111. Photo: Emily Harris

Today, Ipswich-based Spirit Yachts is embarking on a new phase in its development, having recently launched a 111ft sailing yacht that exploits the benefits of electric propulsion, the latest high voltage lithium battery technology and smart control systems to reduce the need for fossil fuel power.

Like all Spirits, she was constructed in timber from sustainable sources and because of her light and easily driven hull she could potentially become one of the most efficient sailing yachts afloat. On the face of it she’s an eco-warrior’s dreamboat, which means she was scrutinised down to her last plank of Douglas fir before her launch last year. But more of her later.

A joiner marking out a below waterline area. Photo: Emily Harris

In spite of a full order book, Sean McMillan, founder of Spirit Yachts, whose distinctive design style and inherent skill as a woodworker are responsible for these luscious-looking yachts, is the first to admit that it hasn’t always been an easy ride: “It’s been a roller-coaster, but it’s also been a great experience,” he says.

McMillan’s passion for wooden boatbuilding, and dogged determination to retain a highly skilled workforce through thick and thin has put him and Spirit at the very forefront of modern wooden yacht building.

Raising the profile

Five years ago the Ipswich-based company was facing a tough market as the ripple effect of the 2008 financial crisis continued to hobble business. Refit came to the rescue, but only up to a point. “I knew that we could not afford to lose staff,” said Sean, who has always placed his boat builders at the heart of Spirit’s success.

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The directors also realised that running the company and designing the yachts (as well as not being able to resist some hands-on boat building), was too much for one man to handle. So they appointed Nigel Stuart as managing director. He came from Discovery Yachts and quickly raised Spirit Yachts’s profile.

Together with the Brexit effect and the consequent fall in sterling, making British products considerably more attractive, things began to look up. Today the company has an enviable, trend-bucking order book.

Fling in timber

The Spirit 52D Oui Fling racing in the Solent in July 2017. Photo: Emily Harris

After just a seven-month build period Spirit launched one of its more remarkable modern classics in the summer of 2017, the completely stripped out Spirit 52D for high profile, serial racing yacht owner Irvine Laidlaw, who was keen to add a modern classic to his fleet of Highland Flings. The D incidentally stands for ‘Distilled’.

On her first outing at the Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes, Oui Fling , surely the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing, dispatched the opposition in short order. Her victims included Sean McMillan (sailing his own Spirit 52, Flight of Ufford , which is anything but stripped out) who couldn’t quite catch Fling on handicap!

Laidlaw’s boat, which apparently touched 16 knots in the Solent, weighs just 6.8 tonnes – extraordinary for a wooden 52-footer – and is two tonnes lighter than Flight .

In addition to Oui Fling ’s exploits, the announcement of the 111ft sloop contract was a massive boost, in fact a potential game changer for Spirit. Sean McMillan believes she is the largest wooden yacht of her type built in Britain since the J Class Shamrock V was launched by Camper & Nicholsons in 1930.

The Spirit 111 is, of course, a largely wood epoxy build, but incorporating a high voltage lithium ion battery-powered electric propulsion system and smart electrical management. Together with an original interior by world renowned designers Rhoades Young, and the appointment of a specialist project manager in the form of the highly experienced German Jens Cornelsen, this yacht places the company firmly in the superyacht league.

Spirit Yachts put its toe in the water with larger yachts when the 100ft Gaia was launched in 2007, but there were issues, especially in race mode upwind, when her timber hull deflected marginally more than anticipated, making it difficult to keep rig loads stable. The structure was re-worked back in Ipswich and Gaia returned to the circuit in good shape.

100ft Gaia is soon to be eclipsed as the yard’s flagship. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Refreshingly, Sean McMillan is not afraid to admit that he and the company have had to learn lessons over the past 27 years. With limited scantling and engineering information available from classification societies for modern wood epoxy construction, Spirit has, at times, had to feel its way along the design route. Today, with what they call their ‘file of evidence’ containing historic calculations and structural data, they are con dent about tackling just about anything.

For the Spirit 111’s structural engineering, there was input from Sean McMillan, his experienced in-house naval architect Lawrence Peckham, composite structures expert Gary Scott-Jenner of Ipswich firm Synolo Design, and the classification society RINA.

Work involved 30 laminated sapele ring frames over which Douglas fir planking was laid and then finished with quadruple diagonal layers of 3mm mahogany veneer. There is some local reinforcement in carbon fibre and the entire structure will underwent epoxy saturation for structural integrity, impact resistance and longevity.

A rendering of the new Spirit 111, which will be the largest wooden yacht built in the UK since the J Class Shamrock V in 1930

The owner of the Spirit 111 had an unfortunate accident with his previous yacht, a Spirit 52, when he hit a rock at eight knots while sailing in the Baltic. The yacht took in no water but a number of ring frames were cracked, so she returned to Ipswich for repairs to include‘ sistering’ or doubling up the frames in question.

Demonstrating his faith in Spirit, while visiting their offices to check progress on the 52’s repairs, the owner caught a glimpse of a previous design Sean McMillan had been amending. Not long afterwards the deal for a boat that would be more than twice the size of the Spirit 52 was on the table.

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The Finest British Superyachts

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Written by Rebecca Pascoe

British private yachts were once the envy of the world. Now the British superyacht industry is once again finding a new footing in the world of luxury yachts, led by local yacht designers and naval architects. Let’s take a look at some of the finest British superyachts built to see how they stand up to the competition.  

British yachts have always been built with highest quality materials. Precision engineering goes into each yacht, as well as professionally designed luxurious interiors and exteriors. Superyachts made in Britain have been enjoyed by many at sea over the years whether owner or yacht charterer. The vessels are synonymous with comfort, strength along with excellent sea-keeping, this is why clients from around the world have bought and are interested in buying luxury yachts made in Britain. Read on to find out more about the top ten finest British yachts.

1. MOTOR YACHT  SARAFSA – this 82 m (269 ft) steel boat made by Devonport and conceived by Devonport and Burness Corlett-Three Quays. This fine British vessel accommodates 12 passengers and 25 qualified crew. Andrew Winch undertook the interior design brief specifically for a Middle Eastern owner. This majestic yacht has a six deck structure, a winter garden style dining room, a spa with a retractable roof on the sun deck and a glass topped atrium. It also has a helipad, as well as a wide range of amenities including her own car.

2. M5 (EX. MIRABELLA V) – the lengthy M5  is a fabulous sailing yacht. It’s 75 m (247 ft) in length and was manufactured by Vosper Thornycroft in 2004. The M5 is a grand yacht made in Britain which can accommodate a total of 14 people onboard and 15 crew members. This splendid sailing yacht has been designed by a naval architect called Ron Holland . Ron Holland Design, Tracey-Jayne Caravaggio, Nicholson Interiors and Lucciana Vittoria were involved in the yacht’s interior design.

M5 Sailing Yacht

3. MOTOR YACHT SAMAR – Samar is a 77m, 253 ft, steel vessel produced from the keel up at Devonport in Britain. She accommodates 14 passengers and 20 qualified crew. Her interior designing was created by Joe Tohme. The Samar features large deck areas, a side garage, a large spa pool, an open bar along with a movie theater. Guests can enjoy a spacious main saloon and dining room with large windows. There’s also a fully equipped gym, steam room along with hot and cold pools on the upper deck.

4. THE  MITseaAH – built by the Pendennis ship building company in the UK the MITseaAH is 48 m (156 ft) in length. Finished and launched by 2005 Liebowitz & Pritchard Architects used their unique approach to design the interior of the yacht. This luxurious vessel can accommodate up to 11 guests and 8 crew. She can attain a speed of 25 knots and has recently been described as a sloop motor sailer by superyacht enthusiasts.

Sailing Yacht MITseaAH

5. SUPER MOTOR YACHT STEEL – the large superyacht Steel is a motor yacht, ideal for a charter vacation. This impressive 55 m (180 ft) luxury yacht was developed by Pendennis in the UK, 2008. Liebowitz & Pritchard Architects were involved in the interior design and styling of the vessel. She is a recent explorer style expedition yacht highly sought after by guests who enjoy the finer things in life.

6. LUXURY YACHT  JUST J’S – the sizeable luxury yacht Just J’s is a motor yacht. This 37 m (121 ft) superyacht was manufactured at Sunseeker International in the UK, 2009. It’s a stylish yacht that can sleep a total of 12 people and has 6 professional crew onboard. She can cruise up to 24 knots and has a range of 1,500 nautical miles. This eye-catching superyacht features four decks, offers remarkable attention to detail and zero-speed stabilization for optimum comfort.

7. MOTOR YACHT ARABIA – the Arabia is a 37m (121 ft) spacious GRP composite vessel. She was fashioned at Sunseeker International in the UK and designed in the office of Don Shead and Sunseeker. This very distinctive UK built superyacht was launched in Poole in 2009 before being delivered to the owner. The vessel can accommodate 10 guests and 7 professional crew. She has been described recently as a tri deck yacht.

8. Charter yacht DEVOCEAN – built in 2008 by Sunseeker in the UK. The 121.39 ft/37m motor yacht Devocean has a beautiful exterior and interior design. She was previously named “Tickle Pink”. The yacht sleeps up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms including a master suite. She can carry 8 crew members onboard who ensure a relaxed, luxury yacht charter for all guests. Devocean’s impressive entertainment and leisure facilities make her the perfect charter yacht for entertaining and socializing with family or friends.

9. MOTOR YACHT  THE SNAPPER – with its air conditioning, deck Jacuzzi and Wi-Fi connection on board, this British built superyacht is the real deal. Measuring 121.42 ft (37.01m) the Snapper was built in 2007 by Sunseeker. Her interior layout sleeps up to 10 guests in 5 state rooms including a master suite, 2 double cabins, 2 twin cabins and 2 Pullman beds. With a cruising speed of 20 knots, a maximum speed of 24 knots and a range of 1,700 nautical miles, the Snapper is ideal for a superyacht charter vacation.

The Snapper

10. VAVA II MOTOR YACHT – one of the largest private motor yachts ever built in the UK is the Vava II . This £100,000,000 superyacht has become the most expensive to be built on British shores. At a relatively small 154 feet in length she is also available for private hire. The Vava II has six decks and a helicopter pad. This superyacht features a fold-down beach club and a pool which can be varied in depth. Crowds cheered her off after she completed her sea trials in Plymouth.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "The Finest British Superyachts".

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Hardy 65 hull 02 with the interior design during the development stage

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The Hardy 32 was designed in response to requests from potential owners who wanted an aft cockpit design suitable for cruising the French canals, but also retaining the speed and sea-keeping ability to cruise across the English Channel or the North Sea in comfort and safety. The Hardy 32 fulfils all these requirements and more.

HARDY 36 | 36AD

A sea boat utilizing the ever popular design of the Commodore 36 with its eye catching classic lines and a proper sea-going hull. Now a version without a flybridge for those people that are looking to cruise the French Canals and also have a large sociable aft cockpit.

The first of the new ‘Next Generation’ models from Hardy, ensuring that the legendary sea keeping design of the Hardy range remains intact, the design of the Hardy 40DS remained in the capable hands of Hardy designer Andrew Wolstenholme.

Designed to build on the reputation of the Hardy 36, the Hardy 42 is a top quality sea-kindly cruising boat with lively performance. The latest Hardy 42’s are capable of nearly 28 knots in heavy weather in comfort.

HARDY 50 | 52DS

After the introduction of the Hardy 42 it became clear that a number of owners would welcome a larger luxury motor yacht with similar performance and sea-keeping to match. The new design has a size and layout that allows a larger family to cruise together, but be manageable by a couple for long periods and distances.

The Flag Ship of the Hardy range offers a sea kindly semi displacement hull built to withstand the vigour of the sea. The design is typical of the Hardy approach to cruising motor yachts. The interior may be styled in either a traditional manner or lifted to give a more modern feel.

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Great british superyachts, products and services.

The UK offers extraordinary capabilities in the superyacht sector, from the creation and refit of some of the world’s leading luxury yachts and innovative development and support of high quality equipment, through to key services that owners and captains can trust.

Great Britain’s impressive superyacht capability is advocated by Superyacht UK, which additionally draws on the resources of the 1500 member British Marine trade organisation, founded in 1913, of which we are a part. Founded on decades of craftsmanship and innovation, our members are at the forefront of superyacht development, from naval architecture, design and engineering, through all the many skills necessary to see a superyacht into service and and effectively managed and supported throughout its service life.

Young Designers Competition 2024

This year’s competition, in partnership with Sunseeker International, introduces two categories for entry for pre-graduation and master’s university students.

Twelve places are available. Participants will hand-draw their designs according to specific briefs during the two-day event at the Southampton International Boat Show in September.

Completed entry forms must be submitted by 19 April 2024.

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*Superyacht UK’s annual research, available exclusively to all members, demonstrates the significant activity of British companies in the global superyacht scene. Our 2019 report shows the sector added £308m in GVA to the UK economy in 2018/19, a 7 per cent increase on the previous year.

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Latest news, superyacht uk announces appointment of new dedicated association manager.

Superyacht UK (SYUK) the membership association representing the interests of the UK Superyacht industry both at home and internationally, is […]

British Marine are recruiting for a Superyacht UK Manager

British Marine is the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry. Through the provision of […]

Last chance to secure your place at the Superyacht UK Technical Seminar 2024

Don’t miss out – bookings close Tuesday 2 April Superyacht UK (SYUK) are pleased to confirm that the annual Superyacht […]

Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition officially underway

University Staff and students enjoy visit to Sunseeker International to learn more about the competition and tour the Sunseeker Shipyard […]

Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition 2024 launch announced

Agenda released for Superyacht UK Technical Seminar 2024

  We are pleased to announce that the latest agenda for the annual Superyacht UK Technical Seminar has been released […]

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Superyacht UK is running the 2024 edition of its highly successful Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition this year at the Southampton International Boat Show from 16-18 September 2024.

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We are proud to design and custom-build superyacht tenders and motor yachts of the highest quality for 21st century leisure and commerce.

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We fully appreciate that commissioning a superyacht tender, sailing or motor yacht is a momentous decision. Our designers and naval architects work with you every step of the way to provide you with a memorable experience as your custom-build takes shape – from the design of the hull and the powering of the boat to the layout of the interior, the selection of upholstery fabric and the brand of coffee machine for the galley.

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We at Collingwood have a rich tradition in the design and construction of canal boats. Based in Liverpool, we are one of the longest established boat builders in the UK, with an enviable reputation for delivering quality. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, we pride ourselves on our attention to the finer details at every step of the boat-building process. From conception to inception, we deliver innovative designs, suitable for both recreation and living aboard, leaving you with a vessel that we’re proud to put the Collingwood name to.

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The living spaces we design for our discerning clientele are often compared to one or two bedroomed luxury apartments albeit on the water. Our long-established factory employs in excess of 100 craftsmen from steel workers to plumbers, carpenters, electricians, engineers and designers. We at Collingwood currently design, manufacture and deliver over 240 vessels a year.

Collingwood boats offer a host of design ideas, creating vessels that are perfect for recreation or living aboard.

We understand that for first time buyers, the world of canal boats can cause a little confusion. In order to facilitate things, Collingwood have put together this handy guide; ensuring you end up with the boat of your dreams.

Although we are still in the early stages of taking the delivery of our new 66 / 12 Wide beam boat, the communication, service and workmanship has been outstanding, if we all took the Collingwood Boat approach, we would all be better off! If your thinking of having a boat built, talk to these guys first, you won’t be disappointed. Very pleased!

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Take a look at 22 Superyachts that have visited the UK in 2022

The number of Superyachts that visited the UK in 2022 is a record breaking figure. Despite the United Kingdom and Ireland being non-traditional cruising destinations, over the past year they’ve proven to be quite the yachting hotspots. MGMT’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Upton, says “throughout Winter 2021 and the past year, MGMT yacht agency have received a significant increase in inquiries from yachts whose owners want to explore the West coast of Scotland and the Outer Hebrides, to those wanting to cruise down the sunny Southwest coast, and London.”

As a result of the success of 2022, the UK has established itself as a global Superyacht hub, and 2023 will see the UK continue to rise in popularity.

Take a look at 22 Superyachts that have visited the UK in 2022:

1. m/y stardust.

Motor Yacht Stardust was spotted docked at Canary Wharf, London, in August 2022. The 62.5m motor yacht was built by  Amels in the Netherlands at their Vlissingen shipyard and designed by Tim Heywood. Her top speed is 16 knots. 

2. Boardwalk

The 76.5m Motor Yacht Boardwalk blessed her presence on the London Thames in July 2022. She 76.5m. She was built by Feadship in the Netherlands, with an interior styled by design house Amy Halffman. The luxury Superyacht includes an array of onboard entertainment features, such as a beauty salon and a top-of-the-range gym. 

3. Slipstream

CMN built the 60m long Superyacht Slipstream back in 2009. Andrew Winch designed her exterior and interior. On board M/Y Slipstream is six luxurious staterooms to accommodate up to 14 crew members and 12 guests.

4. M/Y Global

In 2007, Lurssen Yachts built the 67m M/Y Global. The luxury vessel features a design by Espen Øino and accommodate 12 guests and 18 crew members.

46.5m Motor Yacht Rahal was built in 2003 by Feadship at their Netherlands shipyard. The Superyachts exterior and interior design were by Terence Disdale Design, while her architecture was by De Voogt Naval Architects. She can accommodate up to 12 guests and 12 crew members.

6. M/Y Moon Sand

Motor yacht Moon Sand made her mark on the London Thames earlier this year. Fairly new to the yachting scene, Lurssen Yachts built the 55.5m vessel in their Germany facility in 2021. The interior of Moon Sand was designed by the English design house Bannenberg & Rowell. She accommodates up to 12 guests in 6 luxurious suites and holds up to 16 crew members.

READ MORE: Q&A With Bannenberg & Rowell Designs, Dickie Bannenberg

7. S/Y Hevea

Hevea is a Sailing Yacht with a length of 31.42m. She was built in 2012 by Southern Wind and features an exterior and interior design by Nauta Yachts S.r.l, while her architectural design is by Farr Yacht Design. The luxury Sailing Yacht can carry up to 8 guests and accommodate up to 5 crew members.

8. M/Y Sherpa

The magnificent Sherpa is a 73.6m Motor Yacht built by Feadship in the Netherlands and delivered in 2018. M/Y Sherpa can accommodate up to 13 guests in 7 staterooms, with 22 crew members.

9. M/Y Bravo Eugenia

With four nominations and two wins in 2019, Motor Yacht Bravo Eugenia has proven to be a major star in the Superyacht world. The luxury yacht was the winner of the ‘La Belle Classe Explorer Awards’ and ‘The World Yacht Trophies 2019’. She was also a finalist in the Asai Boating award 2019 and the International Superyacht Society Awards 2019.

In winter 2021/2022, she was spotted moored on the London Thames. At a length of 109m and with a gross tonnage of 3,418t, Bravo Eugenia caught the eyes of many in the city. She has a  hybrid engine which means she consumes 30% less fuel than other motor yachts similar to her size. The 109m Motor Yacht can accommodate 30 crew and 14 guests, in 7 suites.

READ MORE: 5 Bravo Eugenia Facts: Who Is Her Owner? What Does She Cost?

10. M/Y Pioneer

46.48m M/Y Pioneer was built in the USA by Palmer Johnson and delivered in 1996. The Superyacht was designed by Vripack, who also designed her naval architecture. Meanwhile, her interior was designed by Axel Vervoordt. She can accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 staterooms, with 9 crew members.

11. M/Y Echo

The 26m M/Y Echo is the Support vessel for M/Y Nebula. The Superyacht was built in Italy by Tecnomar and delivered in 2003. Luca Dini designed her stylish interior. She can accommodate up to 8 guests, with 2 crew members.

12. M/Y Phoenix

The 40.8m Motor Yacht Phoenix has been captured cruising around different locations in the UK throughout 2022. The yacht was built by Benetti Yachts and delivered in 2021. M/Y Phoenix can accommodate up to 10 guests, in 5 suites and carry up to 9 crew members.

13. M/Y Gallant Lady

The luxury 51.2m Motor Yacht Gallant Lady was built in 2007 by Dutch Shipyard Feadship. De Voogt Naval Architects designed the exterior of the yacht, while John Munford designed her interior. She can accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 cabins, and carry 12 crew members.

14. M/Y Lady May

46.22m M/Y Lady May was built by Feadship and delivered in 2014. The exterior and naval architecture for Lady May was designed by Dubois Naval Architects Ltd, while her interior was penned by RWD. She can accommodate 8 crew members and 10 guests.

15. M/Y Avanti

The 74m Superyacht Avanti was spotted in the port city of Portsmouth, on the UK’s South Coast during the Summer of 2022. M/Y Avanti’s builder is Amels, Netherlands, who delivered Superyacht Avanti in 2022. She’s designed to accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 suites, two of which are VIP cabins and can carry up to 19 crew members

16. M/Y Nebula

Amongst the 22 Superyachts that have visited the UK in 2022 is the 68.3n M/Y Nebula. She was built by Astilleros Armon from Spain, who delivered her in 2022. Her exterior and interior were designed by Kirsten Schwalgien Design, while her naval architecture was designed by Incat Crowther. Nebula can accommodate 8 guests and 10 crew members.

READ MORE: Visiting Scotland by Superyacht in 2022? – Discover James Watt Dock

17. M/Y Elysian

66m Superyacht Elysian Visited Scotland in 2022 and docked in James Watt Dock Marina. M/Y Elysian was built by Lurssen in their german shipyard, who worked with the British design house, Reymond Langton to design her interior. She can accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 suites and carries up to 17 crew onboard.

18. M/Y Gitana

The 48m Motor Yacht Gitana was built by Feadship in the Netherlands and delivered in 1997. Her interior was styled by design house John Munford and her exterior were designed by Guido de Groot Design. The luxury Superyacht can accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 suites and carries up to 9 crew.

19. M/Y Bella Vita

Bella Vita is a 60m motor yacht built by the German shipyard, Lurssen. Her interior styling was completed by Glade Johnson Design. M/Y Bella Vita can accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 cabins and 15 crew.

In spring 2022, Motor Yacht A2 arrived at West India Dock in London, UK.  The classic Motor Yacht was built by Feadship in 1983 and underwent a refit at Pendennis Shipyard , Cornwall, in 2012.  47m Superyacht A2 accommodates 12 guests in 6 suites, one being a VIP cabin, and carries up to 9 crew members. 

21. M/Y Marala

58m 1997  M/Y Marala visited the UK in 2021, and completed a refit at Pendennis Shipyard, before being delivered to her owner in 2022.  The 58m Motor Yacht was built by Camper and Nicholsons in Southampton, UK. She can carry up to 18 crew members, and 13 guests.

READ MORE:   Sea Trials and Refits: The Latest News From Pendennis Shipyard

22. S/Y EOS

92.93m Sailing Yacht Eos was built by Lurssen Yachts in Germany at their Bremen shipyard in 2006. The S/Y’s interior is styled by the design house Francois Catroux. She can carry a whopping number of 21 crew and 16 guests.

MGMT provides yacht agency services to Superyachts visiting the UK and Ireland. For inquiries regarding bringing your Superyacht to the UK in 2023, please contact info@mgmtyacht.com. 

Verity Hodges

Related articles, the maritime training academy will see you at the monaco yacht show 2024, announcing the first-ever women’s yachting awards at metstrade 2024, it’s been a long ride but oceanco’s alfa nero finally has an owner, spitfire flights to private chef hire. cowes harbour is sure to impress your owners & guests.

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Sealine C335

Chertsey (United Kingdom)

C335 # 211 Library Photos - Colours and Layouts may vary On board the Sealine C335, one magnificent moment follows another. Intense, sporty driving experiences are generated by 540hp of engine power, the newly styled, clearly laid out instrument panel, and the superb all-round visibi...

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i

Greenock, (United Kingdom)

Description Construction and Mechanical Mast Rigging and Sails, Accommodation Inventory

Jeanneau NC33

Torquay (United Kingdom)

Description Absolutely immaculately presented Jeanneau NC 33 built in 2018 and launched/commissioned in September 2020. "Paramour" is fitted with 2 x Volvo Penta D3 (...

Dehler 38 SQ

Windermere (United Kingdom)

"The Dehler 38 is a cracking-looking boat, delightful and thoroughly engaging, yet easy to sail. She’ll help any cruiser release their competitive urges or make short...

Sealine C390

Sealine C390 #081 Available Now! Up to 760 hp take you out of the daily routine and into a new world of emotion. An experience that is more exciting when shared with others thanks to the extra wide helmsman seat.Your guests enjoy the coveted view of the horizon from the bow sun lounge...

Bangor (United Kingdom)

Kelt 850 Lift Keel Cruiser, Thought to be Built in circa 1983 and fitted with a 19hp Yanmar inboard Deisel.4 berths, cabin heating, good specification. Ly...

Ribeye 650 Sport

Portsmouth (United Kingdom)

RIBEYE 650S FOR SALE. BUILT BY ONE OF THE UK’S PREMIER BRANDS, THIS EXTREMELY WELL PRESENTED EXAMPLE OF RIBEYE’S TOP SELLING MODEL WAS COMMISSIONED IN 2009 AND ...

Gobbi 375 SC

Hamble River Boat Yard (United Kingdom)

The Gobbi 375 SC has a well earned reputation for being a stylish and practical motor cruiser with plenty of interior and exterior space. She sleeps six in great ...

Evolution Evolution 25

Tollesbury Marina (United Kingdom)

Evolution 25, 1985, LIFTING KEEL, good sails, tidy interior, yard trailer, very tidy boat! Great example of a lifting keel Evolution, shallow draft and easy to sai...

William Fife International 8mR

Fairlie (United Kingdom)

"SASKIA" International 8mR (K26), built by William Fife & Son is the most iconic 8mR ever built. Seawanhaka Cup winner 1931, 1936 Berlin Olympic boat for the Bri...

Westerly Konsort

Lymington (United Kingdom)

Remarks : The Westerly Konsort has proved to be Westerly’s most popular yacht, with really spacious accommodation and well-balanced performance and seaworthiness, the...

Bavaria 30 Cruiser

Southampton (United Kingdom)

AI-generated summary This Bavaria 30 Cruiser, located in Southampton, is a 2007 model in good condition and features the desirable fin keel configuration. With an over...

Jeanneau Prestige 36

AI-generated summary The Jeanneau Prestige 36 Flybridge, located in Southampton, UK, is a 2006 model measuring 11.16 meters in length with a beam of 3.84 meters. This ...

Sealine S28

Walton on Thames (United Kingdom)

Kopite - Sealine S32, 2001 This INCREDIBLE as-new Sealine S28 has just arrived, with two previous owners who have kept her in immaculate condition only on fresh water...

Sealine S28, fitted with Volvo Penta Ad41 Diesels and Volvo DP290 Duo prop outdrives, all last serviced in Dec 23, she has covered just 700 hours from new, the curren...

Hallberg-Rassy 342

TOCCATA was supplied new to her current owner in the spring of 2008. She has a thoughtful inventory of extras that leaves little for her next owner to add. The curren...

Axopar 37 XC Cross Cabin Brabus Line

2021 AXOPAR 37 XC Cross Cabin Brabus line with Aft Bench Seat This boat is one of a kind with unique custom modifications to make extra outdoor seating on board a...

Maxum 2400 SE

A very well presented example of this popular 4 berth family sports cruiser from the well-known Maxum factory. This is a comfortable & sporty cruiser that read...

Blyth (United Kingdom)

Marketing Description 'Spirit of Zoya' is a safe and capable cruising yacht built in Finland and fitted out by Lito Marin of Finland in 1997. The vessel has been i...

Cornish Crabbers 19

Weymouth (United Kingdom)

Marketing Description We are delighted to present this well maintained Cornish Shrimper 19 to the market. "Undecided" has been in the current ownership since Janua...

Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 IB

Conwy (United Kingdom)

Marketing Description Tempo, a 2003 Jeanneau Merry Fisher 695 inboard - an excellent example of this popular fisher/cruiser with a smooth, reliable Volvo Penta TAM...

Hamble (United Kingdom)

Marketing Description The Gitana 43 is a classic performance cruiser that combines elegance, speed, and seaworthiness, making it a standout choice for both racing ...

Princess 435

Marketing Description The Princess 435 provides great accommodation space for its size with generous cabin space. The exterior entertaining areas are split into tw...

Jeanneau MERRY FISHER 795 SPORT

NEW - Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport – Yamaha F250 NSB (steer-by-wire) outboard engine. Very high specification Jeanneau Merry Fisher 795 Sport, including the new S...

Jeanneau CAP CAMARAT 9.0 CC

NEW - Jeanneau Cap Camarat 9.0 CC – Twin Yamaha F250 NSB (steer-by-wire) outboard engines. Very high specification Jeanneau Cap Camarat 9.0 CC, including a pair of t...

Princess F62

$1,981,599 *

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410

Largs (United Kingdom)

Remarks : Introducing KAMMA, a 2020 Sun Odyssey 410. This is the first SO 410to enter the pre-owned market in Scotland. Located in Largs, this vessel was meticul...

Beneteau First 29

Milford Marina (United Kingdom)

Remarks : Great Escape is an honest example of the Beneteau First 29, and offers excellent value for money given her inventory and ability. Lay afloat in Milford Marin...

* Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Brexit VAT: Your questions answered

• Katy Stickland
• August 2, 2022

Yachting Monthly experts help you unravel the new regulations in relation to the thorny issue of VAT following the end of the Brexit transition period

UK VAT is liable on all boats that have been bought and kept in the EU and have never been in the UK under current ownership

Brexit VAT. Many of you have contacted us with questions about boat VAT payments on yachts which were outside of the UK at the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, as well as the rules around Returned Goods Relief (RGR).

RGR allows you to reimport your boat into the UK without paying Customs Duty and VAT.

Crucially this can only be claimed if the boat has been in the UK under present ownership.

Initially, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced that owners of boats which have been in the UK under present ownership and were in the EU at the end of the Brexit transition period, could avoid paying a second VAT payment if the vessel returned to the UK before 30 June 2022.

This applied regardless of when the boat left the UK.

The three year condition for Returned Goods Relief for recreational boats was waived by the UK Government on 1 January 2022.

This means that VAT will not be recharged on boats that return to the UK. It only applies to boats that have been based in the UK under their current ownership, and to vessels which are the personal property of a UK resident and are being returned to the UK for personal use.

UK VAT is still liable on all boats that have been bought and kept in the EU and have never been in the UK under current ownership.

Our experts answer your Brexit VAT questions.

I am buying a French VAT-paid boat in Greece. Where is the best place to register my boat?

Generally, the country where a yacht is registered has little influence on its VAT status unlike the country of residence of the boat owner

The boat we are looking to purchase is registered in France and has a French VAT paid certificate.  She was built in 1993.

I am British, and my wife is Polish.

The boat will remain in the Mediterranean for the next 18 months and then we plan to circumnavigate.

If I purchase the boat, can I register her in the UK and maintain EU VAT? If I visit the UK with the boat for 3 months. How does that affect UK VAT? If we visit Turkey for a period of time, does she lose her EU VAT status? Would I be better to register her in Poland? Once we leave the Canaries for our circumnavigation, do we have 3 years to get back to maintain the boat’s EU VAT status?

Dave and Agnes Williams

Robin Baron, chair of the Cruising Association’s Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS) responds:

As a general rule the country of a vessel’s registration has little bearing on its VAT status. However the country of residence of a vessel’s owners is of importance both for VAT purposes and registration eligibility.

Dave and Agnes do not state where they are currently resident. Unless told otherwise, I shall assume this is in the UK and that Dave is the sole owner.

Robin Baron is chair of the Cruising Association’s Regulations and Technical Services group. Credit: Robin Baron

Dave wants to register the boat under his name in the UK. Part 3 registration on the UK Small Ships Register is only available to those ordinarily resident in the UK. Part 1 registration is available to British citizens wherever resident but this is significantly more expensive. Such registrations do not affect the vessel’s VAT status.

If the vessel enters UK waters while Dave is resident in the UK then it becomes liable for UK VAT on its then value.

Dave and Agnes should establish where the vessel was located on 31st December 2020. If it was in Greece under the current ownership then it should have union goods status. If the vessel moves to Turkey then it will lose that status but be able to regain it under an arrangement called Returned Goods Relief (RGR).For EU RGR to be available:

(a) the vessel must not have had more than “running repairs” to it during its period of export that do not increase its value; (b) the goods must be returned to the EU within 3 years or, if they are returned outside the 3 year period, there are “special circumstances” to justify the waiver of the 3 year requirement; and (c) the person importing the goods is the person who originally exported them. The EU requirement for “special circumstances” if a return is made outside the 3 year period is assessed on a country by country basis. Currently there is little indication of the policy that individual EU countries may adopt.

In order for EU RGR to be claimed a declaration claiming RGR needs to be made to the relevant national tax authorities of the country of entry on each entry of a yacht into the EU from a location outside the EU. In general EU customs declarations must be made by a person established in the EU but declarations can also be made by person that are not established in the EU as long as the declaration is “occasional and the customs authorities consider it to be justified”. There is no indication of what is judged “occasional”.

In practice, it remains to be seen what level of formality will be required for applications for EU RGR. At the current time, the practicalities of the entry requirements when EU RGR is claimed are still unclear and these may well vary from country to country.

Clearly, at the very least, the key issue will be for a yacht owner to be able to demonstrate RGR compliance if challenged. It will be important for the yacht owner to keep very clear records and evidence of dates of when the yacht left and re-entered the EU if RGR is claimed for a yacht.

On the boat’s re-entry to the EU within 3 years of its departure Dave should be able to claim RGR. This applies both to a visit to Turkey and to the planned circumnavigation.

In response to Dave and Agnes’ specific questions:

If I purchase the boat, can i register her in the UK and maintain EU VAT? Yes – see above.

If I visit the UK with the boat for 3 months. How does that affect UK VAT? You become liable unless resident outside the UK.

If we visit Turkey for a period of time, does she lose her EU VAT status? Yes but can regain it through RGR.

Would I be better to register her in Poland? Not for VAT purposes.

Once we leave the Canaries for our circumnavigation, do we have 3 years to get back to maintain the boat’s EU VAT status? No. The Canary Islands are outside the EU tax union so the 3 year RGR period begins when the vessel leaves the EU. Madeira is an EU outpost that may be useful in this situation.

My ketch was lying in the UK at the end of the transition period. I now want to move it to France. Will I be able to claim RGR?

Sailors with French residency who have a Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) are not allowed to temporary import their boat, as it is not available to EU residents. Credit: Graham Snook/Yachting Monthly

I have a ketch, built in 1976 and first registered in Germany.

It was sold in 1999 in Spain to a Dutch owner who, according to the receipt paid VAT on the purchase, and registered the boat in Holland.

I have copies of this certificate. I bought the boat from him, also in Spain, in 2004 (I have the bill of sale) and put it on the UK SSR.

Unfortunately, it was lying in the UK on 01/01/2021. This was as a result of the 2020 COVID-19 restrictions that prevented completion of repairs and sailing back to the EU as planned in the summer of 2020.

The marina, like most others, was closed for part of that year and travel throughout 2021 was disrupted. I hope that these count as ‘special circumstances’.

I have lived in France since 2011 and have French residency (a WARP – Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit) and would like to have the boat here.

Reading your responses to other questions and other information on the internet, am I correct in believing that:

• As a WARP I am not allowed to temporarily import the boat into France for 18 months?
• I may be eligible for RGR on permanent importation back into the EU (a note from Brussels indicates this) – if so, how do I go about claiming it?
• The boat may be counted as a personal possession as I’ve moved residency from the UK to France – if so how do I claim this?
• Should there be no alternative but to pay VAT again, how and where is the boat valued for the purpose of this? Are there specified French ports?
• And non-VAT points related to this problem; am I correct in thinking that as I’m no longer resident in the UK, I can’t continue on the SSR?
• Because I have French residency, not citizenship, I am not entitled to French yacht registration?
• the suggestion that I could buy a French boat and simply re-register it here in my name is wrong?
• Would a solution be a Polish flag?

Jeremy Woolley

Jeremy has an EU VAT paid boat that was in the UK at 2300 UTC on 31 December 2020. He is resident in France and so resident in the EU.

Jeremy’s ketch was built in 1976. Yachts built before 1 January 1985 were deemed to have acquired EU VAT paid status if they were in private ownership and within the EU at midnight on 31 December 1992. Proof of this may be required by local customs.

If documentary evidence of the location of the vessel on 31 December 1992 is not available he should provide whatever documents he has so that the local customs may form a view as to the location of the boat based on these documents.

As with yachts built after 1985, an original invoice showing VAT payment to an EU authority is the preferred evidence of VAT payment (if it is still available).

Once in “free circulation” a yacht built before 1 January 1985 is treated as any other boat in connection with the Brexit related changes in VAT status arising from location on 31 December 2020.

The EU Commission approach is that if a boat was located in the UK (except Northern Ireland) at the end of the Transition Period it will have lost its EU Union (VAT-paid) status and became non-Union goods as from 1 January 2021.

However, Union status may be recovered through the Returned Goods Relief 3 year rule (RGR) if it can be demonstrated that the yacht had been taken from the EU27 to the UK at some point before the end of the Transition Period and is then returned to the EU after the end of the Transition Period, provided that the conditions for RGR are satisfied on the entry to the EU (see next paragraph).

For RGR to be available: (a) the vessel must not have had more than “running repairs” to it during its period of export that do not increase its value; (b) the goods must be returned to the EU within 3 years or, if they are returned outside the 3 year period, there are “special circumstances” to justify the waiver of the 3 year requirement; and (c) the person importing the goods is the person who originally exported them.

If a return is made outside the 3 year period the requirement for “special circumstances” is assessed on a country by country basis. Jeremy’s ketch was last in the EU27 in 2018. To claim RGR successfully he needs “Special circumstances” to apply.

In order for EU RGR to be claimed a declaration claiming RGR needs to be made by to the relevant national tax authorities of the country of entry on each entry of a yacht into the EU from a location outside the EU. In general EU customs declarations must be made by a person established in the EU but declarations can also be made by person that are not established in the EU as long as the declaration is “occasional and the customs authorities consider it to be justified”. There is no indication of what is judged “occasional”.

Having set out the relevant rules my responses to Jeremy’s questions are as follows:

• As a WARP I am not allowed to temporarily import the boat into France for 18 months? Correct. EU Temporary admission is not available to EU residents.
• I may be eligible for RGR on permanent importation back into the EU (a note from Brussels indicates this) – if so, how do I go about claiming it? See above.
• The boat may be counted as a personal possession as I’ve moved residency from the UK to France – if so how do I claim this? Possibly. See: https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/transferring-your-primary-residence-france . Note the requirement that you must transfer your property to France within 12 months of your transfer of residence.
• Should there be no alternative but to pay VAT again, how and where is the boat valued for the purpose of this? Are there specified French ports? The Douanes will be able to supply this information. A discussion with them prior to importation would be worthwhile.
• And non-VAT points related to this problem; am I correct in thinking that: as I’m no longer resident in the UK, I can’t continue on the SSR? Correct. SSR is only available to those ordinarily resident in the UK. Part 1 registration is available to British citizens but is significantly more expensive.
• Because I have French residency, not citizenship, I am not entitled to French yacht registration? That appears to be the case. You’ll need to discuss this with the French authorities or a vessel registration agent.
• The suggestion that I could buy a French boat and simply re-register it here in my name is wrong.? Yes if you don’t meet the French registration requirements.
• Would a solution be a Polish flag? Possibly. It would give you an EU registration. Note that French law appears to require French residents to register their vessel in France and not in other EU jurisdictions.  French registration, if it can achieved, will entail compliance with French maritime requirements including safety equipment. Jeremy should note that vessel registration is unlikely to assist with the VAT treatment of his ketch.

I bought a boat in Ireland. How will VAT-paid status be affected if I registered the boat in Northern Ireland and sailed to the UK mainland?

Boats belonging to UK residents which were in Ireland at the end of the Brexit transition period will be liable to VAT on entry to the UK. Credit: Graham Snook/Yachting Monthly

I have recently bought a boat in Ireland that was EU VAT paid pre-Brexit.

I have both a UK and Irish Passport, and homes in both England and Northern Ireland.

How will VAT-paid status be affected if I were to register the boat in Northern Ireland and then sail to the UK mainland?

If my boat is registered in Northern Ireland, do I have to sail directly from a berth in Northern Ireland to the UK mainland, or can I overnight in the Republic of Ireland before proceeding to the UK mainland?

In this instance, do I have to alert customs in both the UK and Ireland to my movements, and what paperwork will I need in each case?

I am struggling to get any advice on the best way to proceed with my boat and would be very grateful for any help/advice.

Brendan Melarkey

Brendan’s problem is tricky because of a lack of clarity on the current rules relating to Northern Ireland.

His nationality and the country of registration of his boat are not relevant. He is clearly a UK resident, whether his main home is in England or Northern Ireland.

I assume that the vessel was in Ireland on 31st December 2020 and that his recent purchase took place after that date.

It is unclear whether Brendan has already sailed his boat from Ireland to Northern Ireland.

So the questions relate to Brendan’s movement of his boat from (a) Ireland to Northern Ireland (although this may have already taken place) (b) Northern Ireland to Ireland (c) Ireland to Great Britain and (d) Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

In each case Brendan needs to know the exit and entry requirements and the VAT treatment. I will deal with each voyage in turn. Brenden’s questions raise complex legal issues and he would well be advised to obtain specialist legal advice.

Ireland to Northern Ireland

The normal entry formalities apply to boat movements from Ireland to Northern Ireland (Q flag, Form 1331, report to Yachtline) but crew details are not needed.

Under the Northern Ireland Protocol the vessel should not be subject to UK VAT on entry to Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland to Ireland

The situation on reporting between Northern Ireland and Ireland has been in a state of flux.

However the current version (29/12/2021)  of Notice 8 “Sailing your pleasure craft to and from the UK” excludes NI to EU (and hence Ireland) from the need for form 1331 reporting.

Notice 8 is currently being re-drafted but this provision is unlikely to change.

When arriving in Ireland the advice from Irish Sailing is to fly a “Q” flag as a courtesy and contact the nearest Harbour Master to report your arrival – telephone numbers in The Cruising Almanac, Reeds and the ICC sailing directions.

It is unlikely that they will be very interested.

Brendan’s vessel is EU VAT paid as it was in Ireland on 31st December 2020 so no further charge to VAT applies.

As with all entry and exits Brendan should have the usual documentary proof of ownership, VAT payment and location on the 31st December 2020.

Ireland to Great Britain

There are no departure requirements from Ireland. Upon entry into GB the normal entry formalities apply (Q flag, Form 1331, report to Yachtline).

As a UK resident Brendan cannot claim Temporary Admission and so his vessel will be liable to VAT on entry.

Northern Ireland to Great Britain

There are no entry formalities. However, import VAT will become chargeable on the movement of the yacht from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

Presumably, Brendan would need to report this to HMRC even though there are no entry formalities for movement of yachts from Northern Ireland to the UK.

It remains to be seen how this will be administered in practice.

Can a boat bought outside the UK or EU be sailed in the EU and non EU countries without paying VAT?

Owners of boats built and bought outside of the EU can use the EU Temporary Admission Scheme to cruise the EU without paying VAT. Credit: Graham Snook/Yachting Monthly

I was reading your recent article about Brexit VAT on boats and have a question that I don’t think has been asked before.

On a non VAT paid boat built and bought outside UK or EU, can it be sailed in EU and/or non EU countries without paying VAT? (If we are UK residents)

If we reside outside the UK for 12 months or longer, can we return to the UK with the boat under transfer of residence without having to pay UK VAT?

Tom Carlisle

The answer to Tom’s first question is Yes. He should be able to use the EU Temporary Admission Scheme.

The main features of the EU Temporary Admission scheme are:

(a) The vessel must not be located in the EU for more than 18 months. However, the 18 month limit can be extended if the vessel is laid up and not used with an overall maximum period during which the vessel can remain in the EU of 24 months. In some countries (e.g. France) the 6 month lay-up extension does not appear to be available.

(b) The vessel must only be used for private purposes. Any commercial usage of the vessel, such as chartering the vessel, taking fee-paying crew or running the vessel for chargeable sail-training is not allowed.

(c) The vessel must be owned by a non-EU resident. The rule here applies to residency. Following Brexit, EU-citizens that live in the UK would be able to take advantage of this rule if they qualify as UK residents but UK citizens that live in the EU are not entitled to use the scheme. People who utilise some form of national residency scheme in one of the EU countries post-Brexit to extend the 90 days in every 180 days’ Schengen visa limit will need to take care that, in so doing, they do not become resident if they also want to take advantage of Temporary Admission.

The EU Temporary Admission “clock” can be reset by locating the vessel outside the EU; it then becomes eligible for another period of Temporary Admission.

There is no minimum period applicable to the period outside the EU. In practice, it is well established by non-EU vessels that simply spending a day or two in a non-EU port and obtaining documentary evidence (such as marina receipts) is sufficient.

There are indications that some EU27 states will accept evidence that the yacht has sailed outside EU territorial waters (e.g. through AIS tracks) but such evidence may not be accepted by all such states.

In answer to Tom’s second question he should be able to claim Transfer of Residence relief (which applies to pleasure craft) provided all the following conditions are met:

• he’s been resident outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months, prior to the date of moving to Great Britain or Northern Ireland;
• he’s importing the goods within 12 months of coming to live in the UK
• he intends to use the goods in the UK for the same purpose they were used for prior to moving

Further information on Transfer of Residence relief is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transfer-of-residence-to-great-britain

Do I have to register that my boat is EU VAT paid?

There is no requirement to register your boat as EU VAT paid

I have a UK registered and built 1936 please sailing yacht which is UK VAT exempt due to age. I’ve owned the yacht since 2017.

In September 2020, the boat left the UK for France, where she has been ever since.

I was annoyingly under the impression that I had to return the yacht back to UK waters by the end of June 2022 to retain my UK VAT exempt status.

With the new RGR legislation which came into effect on 1 January 2022, am I right in thinking that I am now able to keep my yacht in France and choose when I return it to the UK without worrying about paying UK VAT? Does the legislation mean there are no particular time restrictions for the yacht to have to return to the UK by?

My second question is since the boat was in the EU on the 31 December 2020, is it now considered EU VAT paid and is anything required of me to register that?

Aaron Ashton

I can confirm that Aaron does not have to return his boat to the UK by 30 June 2022 in order to claim Returned Good Relief (RGR) for UK VAT.

This is as a result of the changes to RGR announced by HMRC with effect from 1 January 2022 which provide that for many vessels the three year time limit for UK RGR no longer applies.

Provided the boat is for personal use only, is in the same ownership as when it left the UK and has had only running repairs in that time, Aaron should be able to return it without incurring a charge to UK VAT.

As the boat was in the EU at the end of the Transition Period on 31 December 2020 it will be treated as EU VAT paid.

There is no requirement to register nor any facility to be able to do so.

As always all evidence of a vessel’s movements and locations should be retained including marina and fuel receipts and yard bills.

Do EU VAT paid boats have freedom of movement within the EU?

EU VAT paid boats should not need to report movements within the EU

I am British and live in the UK. My yacht was built in Poland in 2010 and was then delivered to Hamble in the UK and the VAT due was paid in full.

Pre-Brexit we moved the boat in 6 month hops to various marinas in different countries throughout the EU and it’s now been in Crete for about 3 years.

It has always been in the EU and we have a letter from the current marina to confirm that the boat was in the EU on 31 December 2020.

We expect to move the boat again to Sicily at some point in the near future but only when COVID-19 risks have substantially decreased.

Where possible, we’d like to reverse the route by which we originally got to Greece but I’m concerned that now we might have to use official Ports of Entry.

On entering Italian waters our preferred first port of call would be either Santa Maria del Leuca, on the heel of Italy, or Roccella Ionica, which is further west; but reachable by doing an ‘over-nighter’, which we’d generally prefer not to do, having only two crew in total.

I am very concerned that neither of these marinas is an official Port of Entry and so wonder, should I or shouldn’t I, be concerned?

Could someone please confirm that because the boat is a VAT paid EU boat, then it has every right to travel un-hindered between any EU ports and also, that it doesn’t need to check in or out of each of the EU countries on its journeys within the EU?

Or, if I’m mistaken, despite being an EU boat, does the vessel still have to check-in and out with the Port Police of each port or country it visits and can only arrive in the next new EU country through an official Port of Entry?

The latter would be very difficult to do in practice because the nearest Italian Ports of Entry are several sailing days from our nearest ‘navigational’ entry points into the country.

Is there any mechanism or process whereby we could spend a couple of stops in a secure port or marina, on the way to an official Port of Entry?

I’d also like to know if we, the crew, needed to check in with customs or someone, although we are coming from Greece.

As UK residents we would, of course, continue to visit the boat in compliance with the 90 day rule, which allows us access to the whole of the EU; but within certain time constraints.

David Cumella

David’s boat has EU VAT paid status as it was in the EU at 2300hrs UTC on 31 December 2020.

In principle David should be OK with both the boat and the people issues he raises in his question.

However as always there is the risk of officials adopting different interpretations at a local level particularly in these early post Brexit days.

David’s proposed voyage is entirely within both the EU and the Schengen zone.

Accordingly there should be no need to report movements of people within the Schengen area nor of boats within the EU.

For boats it is only arrivals and departures to/from the EU and for people it is only arrivals and departures to/from the Schengen Zone that need to be reported.

If we cruise Scotland, do we have to pay VAT on our US-registered boat?

Non UK residents are entitled to temporarily import their boat into the UK without becoming liable for UK VAT, but conditions apply

We have been considering transporting our US registered sailboat to the UK to sail around Scotland for a few seasons.

Can you please tell us if we would have to pay a VAT charge in order to do this?

Randee & Jim Hurst

In order to answer your question I’m going to assume that you are both US citizens resident in the USA.

You will be entitled to import your boat into the UK without becoming liable for UK VAT under temporary admission rules. The following conditions apply to temporary admission:

The vessel must not be located in the UK for more than 18 months. It may be possible to agree with HMRC that any period during which the vessel is laid up does not count against the 18 month period.

The vessel must only be used for private purposes. Any commercial usage of the vessel, such as chartering the vessel, taking fee-paying crew or running the vessel for chargeable sail-training is not allowed.

(c) The vessel must be owned by a non-UK resident.

There is no minimum period that the vessel has to be outside the UK in order to restart the temporary admission clock.

In your case this could be done by a trip to the Republic of Ireland, obtaining and retaining documentary evidence of such trip such as receipts.

It remains to be seen whether HMRC will accept evidence of a voyage outside UK territorial waters and back that is merely evidenced by an AIS track as restarting the temporary admission clock.

In addition to VAT, you need to be aware that the import of yachts to the UK from the US is subject to customs tariffs.

Both the UK and the EU continue to impose a 25% customs tariff on the import of US-origin yachts and boats into the EU and the UK.

Following the UK’s departure from the EU there was a significant uncertainty on the removal of these tariffs by the UK. However, the UK decided to retain the tariffs for the time being.

I am not aware of how long US-owned yacht can be located in the UK on a cruising basis before it is regarded as being imported and the tariff becoming payable.

If the yacht has been declared for temporary admission for VAT purposes this would strengthen the case that it is not being permanently imported and the customs tariff should not apply.

Is there a time limit for boats to remain in UK waters to qualify for RGR?

Boat owners must remain in UK waters while claiming RGR and can’t leave until all of the paperwork is complete, and any dues have been paid. Credit: Getty

My yacht is UK built and UK VAT paid and has been in the EU for years. I plan to return the boat to the UK to qualify for Returned Goods Relief (RGR).

How long must the boat remain in UK waters to qualify for RGR before being able to leave UK waters again?

John Froggatt.

A spokesman for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) responded: Individuals wishing to claim RGR will need to remain in the UK while they complete all the necessary paperwork, and undergo any inspections required by HMRC.

If liable, they will also need to pay any duties to HMRC before leaving.

Do all British registered boats qualify for Returned Goods Relief?

Boats kept in the EU, including Bourgenay, France, will not be eligible for RGR if they have never been in the UK during current ownership. Credit: Getty

I keep my Contest 40s in Bourgenay, near La Rochelle, France.

The boat was built in Holland 25 years ago and the original owner paid VAT in Holland.

I bought the boat in France six years ago from her English owner and it has always remained there.

I believe the boat has been in England, but not since I’ve owned her.

It is a British registered vessel, and was so when I bought it.

If I bring the boat to the UK, will I have to pay VAT to HMRC?

Dave Robson

If the boat returns to the UK at any time, UK VAT will become payable.

This is because Dave cannot claim Returned Goods Relief (RGR) because the boat has never been in the UK during his ownership.

The UK registration of the vessel is irrelevant in the VAT context.

The way the UK has chosen to apply VAT rules on leisure vessels post Brexit is manifestly unfair.

When Dave bought the boat the price would be set on the basis that VAT had been paid within the EU which at that time included the UK.

Why should he be expected to pay VAT again?

The effect of this policy decision is almost certainly that Dave will not return his boat to the UK but will keep it and eventually sell it in the EU, thus depriving the UK marine leisure sector of marina, boatyard and brokerage fees and HM Treasury of the related taxes.

The Cruising Association is engaging with HMRC and HM Treasury to seek to change these arbitrary and manifestly unfair rules.

What’s the difference between a boat and a caravan?

In VAT terms, yachts, caravans and motorhomes are all treated the same way when it comes to importation. Credit: David Chapman/Alamy

As I understand it, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) classifies boats as commercial goods, which are liable to VAT, and caravans as personal possessions, which I understand are VAT free.

In my view, this is wrong.

For example, if you are a UK resident who owns a caravan, HMRC would classify it, from a tax point of view, as being a ‘personal possession’.

This means you could keep it in the EU for as long as you liked and bring it back to the UK any time you liked, free of any secondary VAT being charged.

Should HMRC not treat boats the same way as it treats caravans when it comes to VAT?

Nick Fletcher

An HMRC spokesperson responds:

In terms of the rules for charging import VAT there is no difference between a privately owned boat and a caravan.

Boats and caravans, whether commercial goods or private possessions, are subject to import VAT when imported into the UK from another customs territory unless a relief applies.

Both can be eligible for Returned Goods Relief (RGR) subject to meeting the conditions of the relief.

Stuart Carruthers, cruising manager of the RYA, responds:

As the RYA understands it, there is no difference between caravans and boats and our guidance says much the same thing as the HMRC response.

What is different is the way they may be used.

This gives rise to much of the misunderstanding.

For example, a boat can enter and exit at any point on the UK coastline whereas a caravan or motorhome is limited to a small number of commercial ferry ports where there are formal border controls.

Continues below…

Cruising after Brexit and sailing in Europe

As Europe begins to open up again for cruising, Lu Heikell looks at the implications of Brexit on UK sailors…

Boat owners need to carry VAT proof onboard post-Brexit

Skippers cruising to and from the UK need to prepare now for the ‘bureaucracy of sailing’ post-Brexit, the Cruising Association…

New guidance on Post-Brexit EU VAT status of second hand boats

Marine organisations in the UK and EU have come together to release guidance on the EU VAT status of second…

Returned Goods Relief conditions to be waived

The three year condition for Returned Goods Relief for recreational boats is to be dropped by the Government. It will…

I am sure boaters would not favour nominated ports of arrival and departure and therefore additional reporting requirements and procedures should be expected.

The RYA has long been aware that all movements of goods, including personal possessions, between the UK and the EU are treated in the same way as movements to and from the rest of the world.

Stuart Carruthers joined the RYA in 2005 and is their cruising manager

This means the movements are subject to customs processes, and import duties, including VAT, will be payable unless any relief applies.

In this case the relief in question is Returned Goods Relief (RGR) and is available for any goods returning to the UK, including privately owned pleasure craft, provided the conditions outlined in the legislation are met.

However, this does not address the fundamental point that HMRC is seeking to levy VAT on boats that have been legitimately bought either new or second hand and kept in the EU while we were all EU citizens.

We think this is unreasonable and we are lobbying hard so that UK owners can repatriate their boats to the UK, even if they have never been in the UK under their ownership and therefore have not been exported.

Under the VAT RGR rules, import VAT is only relieved if the importer and the exporter are the same person. Consequently, relief from import VAT is not available.

Can VAT-paid status on your boat be maintained in the UK and EU simultaneously?

A yacht which was located in the EU on 31 December 2020 and retained its EU VAT-paid status and has previously been located in the UK may be eligible for both EU and UK VAT paid status. Credit: Graham Snook/Yachting Monthly

Can VAT-paid status be maintained in the UK and EU simultaneously? For those who anticipate changing domicile between EU/UK this could be very useful, and would also allow a boat to be marketed to a wider market as VAT-paid.

I understand that EU rules would allow for an EU resident (i.e. an agent) to establish VAT-paid status for a boat owned by a resident of the UK, when it is located in EU waters.

Is this true, and does the same possibility exist for EU-owned boats in UK waters (providing they were previously EU VAT-paid, and have been in the UK in current ownership)?

Angus Abrams

It may be possible for some yachts to have the benefit of being eligible for both EU and UK VAT paid status.

An example of where this would be possible is a yacht which is located in the EU on 31 December 2020 (retaining EU VAT-paid status) and which has previously been located in the UK.

HMRC has made clear that if the yacht is returned to the UK before 30 June 2022 (or within the 3 year Returned Goods Relief (RGR) period if this runs until after 30 June 2022) the yacht would then be eligible to obtain UK VAT-paid status on return to the UK (provided that the RGR conditions are met (return within 3 years, no change of ownership or work to the vessel beyond running repairs)). [NOTE: This three year RGR condition has been dropped by the UK Government on 1 January 2022]

EU VAT paid status could then be regained if the yacht is returned to the EU within 3 years of leaving the EU (provided that the RGR conditions continue to be met).

Over time, it will be a challenge for a yacht to retain the benefit of both UK and EU VAT-paid status.

The yacht will need to visit both the EU and UK on a three-year cycle so that RGR conditions are satisfied and there may be declaration formalities associated with EU entry for non-EU established yacht owners.

When the yacht is offered for sale the owner will have the advantage of a wider market of potential buyers but upon completion of the sale there will need to be a choice made by the buyer as to the vessel’s location on sale as inevitably the eligibility for VAT-paid status in one of the territories will be lost.

Changes of domicile (as opposed to residence) are not relevant to this question.

RATS is not aware of the use of agents in the EU to obtain or retain EU VAT status.

Responding to the question: Are there cases where changing domicile from EU to UK can be considered as an exceptional circumstance allowing a one off transfer of VAT-paid assets between jurisdictions without being charged VAT?

The UK has Transfer of Residence relief from VAT when moving your permanent place of residence to the UK. This extends to pleasure craft.

To claim relief, you must satisfy all of the following criteria:

• you’ve been resident outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months, prior to the date of moving to the UK
• you’re importing the goods within 12 months of coming to live in the UK
• you intend to use the goods in the UK for the same purpose they were used for prior to moving.
• The vessel must have been owned by you for at least 6 months prior to its importation to the UK.

You must apply in advance for the relief on form ToR1. See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/application-for-transfer-of-residence-relief-tor1

Will my boat lose its EU VAT paid status if it leaves the EU?

EU Returned Goods Relief rules can only apply if the boat returns to the EU after no more than three years, and there has been no change of ownership or alterations to the vessel

A UK registered yacht with UK VAT Paid Status (paid in 2016) was moved to the EU before 31 Dec 2020 and has evidence of being in the EU on that date, and has now adopted EU VAT Paid Status.

The vessel is being sold by its UK owner to another UK owner, but the vessel is remaining in the EU (Greece).

If the new owners cruise only in the EU, they are fine, but they would like to cruise to Turkey, Croatia or other non-EU countries (due to the Schengnen 90-day limit) before returning to the EU (Greece), where the boat will be kept.

• If the boat leaves the EU, will it lose its EU VAT paid status and have to pay EU VAT?
• Does it matter to the EU or to Greek authorities where the vessel is registered (UK) in regards to VAT status?
• Presumably, if purchased with EU VAT status, the new owners would not be eligible for Returned Goods Relief if they brought the boat to the UK, and would need to pay UK VAT?
• The previous owner had a suit of sails made for the boat in the UK. These are being given to the new owners in the UK, who will then take the sails out to the boat. Will they need to pay EU VAT on the sails when they take them to the EU?

Simon Farmer

We are still in the early days after Brexit. The EU, governments and officials are still coming to terms with how to deal with various situations.

The answers below should be read subject to this general comment.

There is a particular difficulty in Greece where owners who have a VAT invoice in the name of a previous owner are encountering difficulties with establishing VAT paid status with local officials.

The CA is currently addressing this problem with Greek customs officials.

If the boat leaves the EU, will it lose its EU VAT paid status and have to pay EU VAT?  Yes. Technically upon departing Greece the vessel is exported from the EU. It will have to rely on the EU Returned Goods Relief rules (RGR) upon its return (conditions: no more than three years away, no change of ownership or alterations to the vessel) in order to retain EU VAT paid status upon import.

Does it matter to the EU or to Greek authorities where the vessel is registered (UK) in regards to VAT status? It should not. Post Brexit it is quite likely that UK flagged vessels will be subject to greater scrutiny from the authorities of EU member states.

Presumably, if purchased with EU VAT status, the new owners would not be eligible for Returned Goods Relief if they brought the boat to the UK, and would need to pay UK VAT? Yes.

 The previous owner had a suit of sails made for the boat in the UK. These are being given to the new owners in the UK, who will then take the sails out to the boat. Will they need to pay EU VAT on the sails when they take them to the EU? Technically they will have to pay EU VAT. This may or may not be enforced.

Have a Brexit VAT question for our experts? Email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to answer them.

This article was updated following the announcement that the three year condition on Returned Goods Relief is to be dropped by the UK Government

Bayesian yacht sinking: Divers race to rescue Mike Lynch’s hard drive from boat’s safe on ocean floor

LIVE – Updated at 16:45

Divers are racing to retrieve Mike Lynch’s personal hard drives locked in a safe on the ocean floor, according to reports.

Italian newspaper la Repubblica reported that the tech billionaire, whose clients included MI5, the NSA and the Israeli secret service, didn’t trust confidential documents on the cloud and kept two encrypted hard drives in a safe which now lies 49 metres below sea level.

Investigators from Palermo said that no personal effects of the seven victims and 15 survivors have been recovered so far and that surveillance on the sailing ship continues 24 hours a day. They say the only hard drives brought to the surface are those of the ship.

An investigation into manslaughter is set to continue after specialist divers recovered video equipment that could explain how it sank.

Italian prosecutors will continue their probe after a source told Reuters Navy divers recovered parts of the deck , computer material, video surveillance systems, hard drives and various other equipment.

The electronic devices have been sent to specialised labs outside of Sicily to check their condition and possibly recover data, the source added.

Italian navy recover video equipment

• Two encrypted hard drives of Mike Lynch remain 49m underwater locked in safe - report

Professor fears more deaths by ‘medicanes’ after Bayesian tragedy

Mike lynch’s yacht was ‘unsinkable’, says boss of company who built boat, seven key unanswered questions around the sinking of the bayesian, darktrace to be taken over after mike lynch’s death.

Darktrace shares are set to stop trading publicly at the end of September, after the company set a timetable for its blockbuster private equity takeover to be completed.

The private equity group Thoma Bravo struck an almost 5.31 billion dollar (£4.3 billion) deal to buy Darktrace in April.

Darktrace AI interrupts in-progress cyber-attacks in seconds, including ransomware, email phishing, and threats to cloud environments.

It marks one of the biggest take-private deals for a London-listed company in recent years, and will see Darktrace leave the FTSE 100 on October 1.

Poppy Gustafsson helped to set up the Cambridge-based company in 2013 alongside Autonomy founder Mike Lynch.

Mr Lynch, and his daughter Hannah, were among seven people to die after the Bayesian superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily last month.

Bodies flown back to UK on private planes - report

The bodies of Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, 18, and the other victims of the Bayesian disaster have been flown back to their families after their post-mortems, according to reports.

They were repatriated on private planes, with their private funerals expected to be held over the coming days, Italian media reports.

The British tech tycoon ’s boat had been moored near the port of Porticello on 19 August when it sank during the early hours of the morning . It is now lying 50m below the surface.

Among those killed were Mr Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, who had been due to begin studying at Oxford University in September, as well as four other family friends and associates .

Jonathan Bloomer, the international chairman of Morgan Stanley Bank; his wife Judith, a psychotherapist; Christopher Morvillo, a US lawyer; and his wife Neda, a jewellery designer also died in the sinking.

Also killed was the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, whose body was recovered floating near the wreckage.

Four victims found with carbon dioxide in lungs

Tech billionaire Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah, 18, and five other people died when the Bayesian went down in a downburst, which is similar to a small tornado.

Chef Recaldo Thomas, Jonathan Bloomer, the Morgan Stanley International bank chairman, his wife Judy, and Chris Morvillo, a Clifford Chance lawyer, and his wife Neda, were the other victims of the August 19 tragedy.

Four of the victims are feared to have suffocated to death in air bubbles that filled with carbon dioxide, according to their autopsies raising the frightening possibility that they may have been conscious after the yacht sank, according to Italian news outlet La Republica.

Fifteen people, including Angela Bacares, Lynch’s wife, survived when they were rescued by a nearby yacht.

Giovanni Costantino, the chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, said there are no flaws with the design and construction of the Bayesian and it is “one of the safest boats in the world”.

The Bayesian, a 184-ft superyacht carrying 22 passengers and crew, was anchored off the port of Porticello, near Palermo, when it disappeared beneath the waves in a matter of minutes after a freak tornado struck.

“The ship sank because it took on water, from where investigators will have to say,” Mr Costantino told television news programme TG1.

He suggested that the sinking was down to a series of human errors.

The CEO said that had the crew shut all doors and hatches, turned on the engine, lifted the anchor, lowered the keel and turned the yacht to face the wind, they would have suffered “zero damage”.

He added that data showed it took 16 minutes from when the wind began for it to sink.

Cartoisio said the tragedy will be even more painful if the sinking was caused by “behaviours that were not aligned to the responsibilities that everyone needs to take in shipping”.

Bodies of Mike Lynch and daughter Hannah flown back to families after Bayesian superyacht sinking

The bodies of those who died after the billionaire Mike Lynch’s Bayesian superyacht sunk off the coast of Sicily have been flown back to their families by private jet.

Italian publication Giornale di Sicilia reported post-mortem examinations were completed at a Palermo hospital and the bodies have now been returned.

My colleague Tom Watling reports:

Bodies of Mike Lynch and daughter flown back to UK after Bayesian tragedy

Captain gives his account of tragic sinking

Captain James Cutfield previously gave his terrifying account before invoking his right to remain silent.

According to Correire, he told prosecutors: “Seaman Griffiths came to wake me up and told me that there were 20 knots of wind.

“I looked at the instruments and indeed that was the case. I went out immediately and asked them to warn everyone because I didn’t like the situation.”

He said the Bayesian tilted 45 degrees “and remained like that for a bit and then suddenly fell to the right.

“We were catapulted into the sea”.

Seaman Matthew Griffiths, 22, said: “We somehow climbed back up to the bridge and tried to form a human chain to save those who managed to reach that gap from the accommodation deck ... they were struggling on the walls because the boat was lying in the water.

“The first in the chain was the captain who stretched down. He helped everyone, the ladies, the mother with the little girl ... But we were sinking and unfortunately some didn’t make it .”

Mr Griffiths joins fellow Brit Tim Parker-Eaton, 56, and Kiwi skipper James Cutfield, 51, on the official list of those being formally investigated for shipwreck and multiple manslaughter.

Being investigated does not equate to being charged and is a procedural step.

Professor Yoav Yair, Dean of the School of Sustainability at Reichman University in Israel, told the Mirror that storms dubbed ‘medicanes’ - Mediterranean hurricanes - could cause similar sinkings like the Bayesian superyacht.

He said: “It is not a matter of if this (the Bayesian disaster) will happen again, but rather it’s when and where.

“In the last couple of years we have seen medicanes - which are a new phenomena. These are hurricane-like storms that pack a lot of energy, and create flash flooding, torrential rains, lightning, hail and severe sustained winds. The 2023 “Daniel” medicane destroyed Libya and caused over 30,000 deaths there.

“The sea surface temperature has risen globally and in the Med as well, charging the atmosphere with increased fluxes of water vapor, which means a higher potential for massive storms.”

With the Bayesian lying on her side 50 metres underneath the now gentle waters of the Mediterranean, mystery still surrounds how the 56-metre superyacht, sank in the typhoon off the port of Porticello.

Remotely controlled underwater vehicles and cave divers are looking to raise the yacht , which experts will examine in the coming days.

The key unanswered questions around the tragic sinking of the Bayesian

Italian Navy divers have recovered video surveillance equipment from the wreckage of billionaire Mike Lynch’s Bayesian superyacht that could explain how it sank.

The British tech tycoon’s boat had been moored near the port of Porticello on 19 August when it sank during the early hours of the morning. It is now lying 50m below the surface.

Among those killed were Mr Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, who had been due to begin studying at Oxford University in September, as well as four other family friends and associates.

Divers hunting for clues on how Mike Lynch’s superyacht sank make discovery