Yachts have long been considered status symbols for the wealthy, famous, and successful. These yachts, especially super yachts, are often meticulously custom-crafted to suit the needs and desires of the buyer. When money is no object, these bespoke beauties are often filled with wonders and luxuries beyond the wildest imaginings, such as helicopter pads, indoor gardens, infinity pools and spas, and even jewel-encrusted hulls. That means that the yacht manufacturers and boat builders that fulfill these commissions are bound to make a pretty penny. Of course, yachts are not the only vessels that command respect (and profit). Fishing boats, speed boats, catamarans, and other watercraft also reel in the big bucks. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, annual U.S. sales of boats and marine products totaled $59.3 billion in 2022! To celebrate boats big and small, the team at SI Yachts has charted the biggest yacht manufacturers and the biggest boat manufacturers worldwide based on revenue per second. You could call this the “starboard” of boat and yacht builders!
What is the biggest yacht company in the world? Based on total annual revenue, the biggest yacht company in the world is Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilding company. As a yacht manufacturer, Fincantieri specializes in the design and build of mega yachts. They attribute the success as a leading mega yacht manufacturer to four cornerstones: organization of production, ultra-tech know-how, dedicated shipyards, and financial soundness. Famous mega yachts manufactured by Fincantieri include Serene and Ocean Victory. These two fully-custom yachts are among the 15 largest yachts ever build in the world.
Here are the top 10 yacht and boat manufacturers ranked by revenue per second:
Many of the most successful yacht brands earn their fortunes through the creation and sale of mega yachts. So what makes a yacht a mega yacht? A mega yacht, also known as a super yacht, is generally at least 130 feet long. There is no officially agreed upon conditions a yacht must meet in order to be considered a super yacht, but you will probably know one when you see one!
The first ever mega yacht is often regarded to be El Primero. This steam-powered vessel was built in 1893 and was once considered one of the most luxurious yachts on west coast of the United States. Built by Union Iron Works at a cost of $250,000 dollars (which equates to nearly $9 million in today's money), El Primero is around 120 feet in length and features auxiliary sails in the event of steam engine failure. This impressive vessel has a long, colorful history; four U.S. presidents were entertained by early owners upon her decks and her second owner lost her to her third owner over a poker game. It has since been converted to diesel and is still operational today, residing in the hands of a home builder from Portland, Oregon.
Group Beneteau is the fourth most profitable yacht manufacturer to make our most successful yacht and boat builders list. French-originated Group Beneteau has emerged as a worldwide market leader for boats and has gathered many prestigious boat building brands under its gilded wing. Group Beneteau brands include Jeanneau, Prestige, Lagoon, Excess, Delphia, Four Winns, Wellcraft, and Scarab. Each of these iconic boat brands specializes in a unique type of watercraft, positioning Group Beneteau to offer a lucrative fleet of possibilities to boat and yacht buyers. Jeanneau builds powerboats, sailboats, and yachts, Lagoon and Excess build catamarans, Prestige builds luxury yachts, and Scarab, Four Winns, and Wellcraft all specialize in sport fishing boats.
Ferretti Group is the sixth most successful yacht builder on our list. Originating in Italy, Ferretti Group has conquered the seven seas and now engages in luxury yacht sales across the globe. Ferretti Group's brand portfolio includes Wally, Pershing, Riva, Custom Line, Itama, and CRN. Each of these esteemed yacht brands specializes in unique qualities a yacht buyer may be seeking. As the oldest shipyard in the world, Riva is renowned for its artistry and craftsmanship. Itama yachts are sporty and elegant, offering an unparalleled sailing experience in the open seas. Custom Line unites cutting-edge technology with an emphasis on the bespoke. Wally is all about performance, comfort, and style.
SI Yachts offers an impressive line up of new yachts and used yachts from brands such as Azimut Yachts, Sunseeker Yachts, and so much more.
Manufacturer + Country |
Revenue per Second |
1. Fincantieri Italy $8.42 billion |
$266.99 |
2. Brunswick Boat Group United States $6.4 billion |
$202.94 |
3. Lürssen Germany $2 billion |
$63.42 |
4. Group Beneteau France $1.93 billion |
$61.20 |
Italy $1.42 billion |
$45.02 |
6. Ferretti Group Italy $1.20 billion |
$38.05 |
7. Malibu Boats United Stats $1.04 billion |
$32.98 |
8. Sanlorenzo Italy $918.82 million |
$29.14 |
9. Yahama (just marine products) Japan $911.9 million |
$28.92 |
10. Sea Ray United States $850 million |
$26.95 |
11. Viking Yachts United States $760.60 million |
$24.12 |
12. Feadship Netherlands $488.8 million |
$15.50 |
13. MasterCraft Boat Holdings United States $465.97 million |
$14.76 |
14. The Italian Sea Group Italy $398.56 million |
$12.64 |
15. Princess Yachts United Kingdom $344.66 million |
$10.93 |
16. Nimbus Group Sweden $343.77 million |
$10.90 |
17. Cheoy Lee Shipyards United States $332 million |
$10.52 |
18. Boston Whaler United States $300 million |
$9.51 |
19. Sunseeker International United Kingdom $294.27 million |
$9.33 |
20. Hatteras Yachts United States $266.7 million |
$8.46 |
21. Lund Boats United States $250.4 million |
$7.94 |
22. Wider Italy $218.8 million |
$6.94 |
23. Heesen Yachts Netherlands $218.71 million |
$6.93 |
24. Nobiskrug Germany $167.8 million |
$5.32 |
25. Trinity Yachts United States $150 million |
$4.76 |
26. Nautique Boat Company United States $143.5 million |
$4.55 |
27. Crownline Boats United States $140 million |
$4.44 |
28. White River Marine Group United States $126.2 million |
$4.00 |
29. Delta Marine United States $122.3 million |
$3.88 |
30. Formula Boats United States $100 million |
$3.17 |
31. Tiara Yachts United States $94.1 million |
$2.98 |
Sources:
National Marine Manufacturers Association (https://www.nmma.org/certification/boats/certified-manufacturers)
BOAT International (https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/most-expensive-yacht-sales-2023)