Episode Details

Superyachts weren’t supposed to boom in a time of pandemics, wars, and shrinking billionaire lists—and yet, they’re bigger business than ever. In this episode, we explore the surprising surge of the superyacht industry, where record sales, massive backlogs, and sky-high revenues reveal a world reshaped by the wealthy’s craving for seclusion and the sobering sense that “life is short.” We look at how sanctions, supply shocks, and global turmoil barely dented demand, and how the next generation of yachts—sleek, custom-built, and marketed as “green”—fit into this new mindset. From industry insiders to headline-grabbing vessels like Jeff Bezos’s towering sailing yacht (and its not-so-green diesel support ship), we dive into the psychology and economics powering luxury’s most extravagant market.

https://www.economist.com/business/2023/11/16/why-the-market-for-superyachts-is-booming