The smart way to build a semi-production yacht.

Published 02 August 2023

Many shipyards are now building successful semi-production yachts and we've built yachts for clients with all of them. Recently, for instance, we sold No.8 in the Benetti Oasis 40m series, No.15 in the Benetti B.NOW 50m series (above) and we also built a 57m Damen series yacht support vessel.


When compared to full-custom builds, the advantages of buying a semi-production yacht are shorter delivery times, a proven platform and a competitive price, but you need to have some good expertise on your side to make sure you get the yacht you want to own. That's where we come in.

No matter what stage of construction the yacht is at, Burgess has the vital commercial, technical and operational knowledge you need to make your yacht the one you want to own. With our guidance and expertise, you will enjoy the build process more, have a better experience on board a best-in-class yacht, and a higher resale value when it comes to selling because your yacht has the Burgess hallmark of excellence.

The Benetti Oasis 40m has proved to be extremely popular
The Benetti Oasis 40m has proved to be extremely popular

How do I benefit from commercial assistance?

'If you're buying hull No.20 of a semi-production yacht, you can't reasonably be expected to know what the other 19 sold for,' says Senior Broker Peter Brown. 'We've got substantial market knowledge of what these yachts sell for and how much the extras should cost. None of this information is readily available from a shipyard. We can give you so much more commercial context to inform your decision making.'

'We provide an unbiased, transparent, experience-based overview of the differences between this yacht and that, or these two yachts from the same shipyard,' adds Technical Services' Ed Beckett.


How do I benefit from technical assistance?

'We currently have two semi-production yachts under construction,' adds Ed. 'One of these comes with a set options list of 50-70 items and we ask questions around that list to find out what the client actually wants, how they plan to use the yacht, then translate their requirements into the shipyard's language to make sure it's covered.


'It may be that an air conditioning system can achieve a certain temperature inside but is the exterior ambient condition defined, to be sure that the performance expectations will be met on a hot summers day in the Mediterranean? 

'Or, where Wi-Fi coverage is provided, does it cover the whole yacht, not just the cabins and public areas but exterior areas, crew spaces, technical rooms and so on? The devil is in the detail and it can take an expert eye to pick out the key items to optimise the yacht for your enjoyment.'

With us on your side, you'll make the right decisions every time and get the yacht that you want to own, the one that suits you and your adventures
With us on your side, you'll make the right decisions every time and get the yacht that you want to own, the one that suits you and your adventures

'If it's not described in the specification,' adds Peter, 'then it can lead to some difficult discussions later on when it comes to the detailed design and construction or looking at the operation and maintenance aspects – clarity on what is to be provided and the functionality it will give you is paramount.


'When it comes to using the boat yourself, chartering or selling the boat, we make sure you've got the very best the shipyard can produce because you've had the best advice from beginning to end.'

Yachts are incredibly complex machines. Without our help to scrutinise the specification and add the required technical language, you could be disappointed
Yachts are incredibly complex machines. Without our help to scrutinise the specification and add the required technical language, you could be disappointed

How do I benefit from operational assistance?

'It's all about the Burgess 360 offering,' Peter explains. 'As the boat gets closer to delivery the Management team kicks in, the Crew team, the Insurance team - Burgess is just so well set-up for the semi-production model. Management loves this product because they know how many crew it needs, what the operational challenges are, how much it costs to run per month. We can provide this vital info that you need to know before signing anything.

Finding and managing the right captain and crew, insuring the yacht, understanding the running costs, there's a lot to handle to get up and running smoothly. We make all of that easy
Finding and managing the right captain and crew, insuring the yacht, understanding the running costs, there's a lot to handle to get up and running smoothly. We make all of that easy

'And we know this because it's highly likely that we have another number from the same series in our managed fleet - we know where we can add value. That is all fed into the construction process so we're constantly pushing up the grade of the product using the knowledge we have in-house. As we say, not all yachts are created equal. There are yachts, and there are Burgess yachts.

Chartering the yacht creates a revenue stream and keeps both yacht and crew in good working order. We can advise you how to make sure your yacht is as attractive as possible to charterers
Chartering the yacht creates a revenue stream and keeps both yacht and crew in good working order. We can advise you how to make sure your yacht is as attractive as possible to charterers

'If you plan to charter the boat, our Charter team can suggest options that will maximise its charter potential. It's focused through Brokerage and Technical Services but you get access to the expertise of the entire Burgess team to make sure you get the right product for what you want to do.'

If you are thinking of buying a semi-production yacht, be sure to have Burgess on your side. Together we will start your journey to a best-in-class yacht that can do everything you want it to do and will sell for more than a non-Burgess yacht. That way you can be sure your launch day will be the start of a wonderful cruising experience - and not something less.

Get Burgess on your side

To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore or all other locations.

- Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.

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