Superyacht Sirius

While the demand for new luxury yachts have slowed somewhat since 2009, 2011 has seen a small rebound with launches from many of the top yards although it is yet to be known if these yards have any new orders. The latest launch M/Y Eclipse out of the Yard of Blohm + Voss is the largest Super yacht in the World built for the Russian Roman Abramovich. Luxury boat building and yacht charter companies are predominantly based in the United States and Western Europe but are also increasingly found in New Zealand, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Charter
Some yachts are used exclusively by their private owners, others are operated all year round as charter businesses, and a large number are privately owned but available for charter part time. The weekly charter rate of luxury yachts around the world ranges from a high of €661,500 (M/Y Annaliesse) to around €20,000. Expenses of approximately 25-30%, such as food, fuel, and berthage are charged as an extra as well as a customary 15-20% crew gratuity for good service. The luxury yacht charter industry functions effectively because private yacht owners mitigate their running costs with charter income as well as keeping their yachts and crew in top running order. Conversely, private charterers charter yachts (rather than owning them) because it is generally considered to be less expensive, and less hassle, than owning a yacht and it also provides them with extra choice related to yacht type, location and crew.