Sub-500GT yachts – more space, less length

The popularity of sub-500GT yachts on a 40-45m (131-148ft) platform is due to a range of factors. First and foremost, owners get the sort of volume one might expect of a yacht up to 10m (33ft) longer. So you get more space but berthing is less of an issue than it would be with a 50-55m (164-180ft) yacht as there are more 40-45m berths provided, and running costs are lower.

There is enough space on board for a larger crew, depending on the service levels you require as an owner – all five of these yachts have service levels of very nearly one-to-one. Charter demand is obviously higher for yachts in this sector and price point too, were you to choose to offset costs by operating the yacht commercially, and of the five, three have transatlantic range for dual season operation.

From a regulatory perspective, the sub-500GT yacht is far less onerous – this does not mean standards are lower but are in fact aligned with size and operation. The safety of vessel, guests and crew remains paramount both in construction and operation. There is no requirement to maintain International Safety Management (ISM) or International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) compliance. Commercially, the requirement is to operate a mini-ISM system which is a pared back, manageable requirement favoured by captain and crew.

All of the above means there is a compelling case for ownership of high volume yachts on a 40-45m platform. Here are four of the options we have in our sales fleet.

The 499GT RUYA, also for charter with Burgess, is built in composite to Lloyd’s classification and MCA compliance. She won the World Superyacht Awards’ Displacement motor yacht below 500GT category as well as ShowBoats Design Awards for her naval architecture and her Outback-inspired interiors. There is a sea-level beach club with a hydraulic swim platform.

Full-height glass in the main saloon and dining room create a sense of openness. There's shaded open-air dining on the upper deck aft and inside is a home cinema. A full-beam main deck owner’s suite has large picture windows and an en suite with bath and shower room. Zero speed stabilisers ensure comfort on board.

Length: 41.4m (135.8ft)
Build: 2016 (2021), Alia Yachts, Turkey
Exterior design: Sam Sorgiovanni
Interior design: Sam Sorgiovanni
Guests: 12 in 5 cabins
Asking price: EUR 15,750,000
Charter rate: from EUR 182,000 per week

The 499GT GLADIATOR, the fourth Feadship F45 Vantage, has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure built to Lloyd’s classification and MCA compliance. Since 2021, the owner has invested millions of euros in technical and cosmetic improvements, including a full repaint. Her owner and guest accommodation is all on the main deck and convertible, excluding an optional sixth guest cabin on the bridge deck. A full-beam owner’s suite has large skylights above the bed and en suite.

She has huge windows throughout, especially the opening windows in the sky lounge. Outside there is open-air dining beneath the overhang, with a buffet bar and sun lounge aft. The sun deck has a jacuzzi surrounded by sunpads, buffet bar and exercise space forward, lounge seating beneath the hardtop, which has a fold-down TV for movie nights, and a sun lounge aft. Also for charter with Burgess, she has a range of 4,500nm.

Length: 44.6m (146.5ft)
Build: 2010 (refit 2022), Feadship, The Netherlands
Exterior design: De Voogt
Interior design: Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design
Guests: 12 in 6 cabins
Asking price: EUR 24,900,000

Built in GRP to Lloyd's classification, the 491GT MUCHOS MAS is a much sought-after charter yacht, also for sale with Burgess. She features rich walnut burl panels, grey tweed wall coverings and rift-sawn white oak flooring throughout. MUCHOS MAS has a sensational sun deck with a full bar, BBQ, dayhead, large sunpad forward, two misting systems for hot days, and a glass-backed corner waterfall jacuzzi with 54 jets and a swim-up bar. The main deck owner’s bathroom features a therapeutic two-person Vichy shower with six heads and four modes, with natural light from a skylight in the foredeck jacuzzi.

Shallow 2.3m (7.7ft) draft allow her entry into most anchorages and twin 2,735hp MTU engines give her a top speed of 18 knots, a cruising speed of 13 knots and a maximum range of 2,300nm with zero speed stabilisers for comfort on arrival. After a full repaint and five-year survey in 2022, MUCHOS MAS presents in immaculate condition and is a turn-key purchase opportunity, giving a new owner significant cruising time before any next yard period is due.

Length: 43.9m (144ft)
Build: 2016, Crescent Custom Yachts, Canada
Exterior design: Jonathan Quinn Barnett
Interior design: Jonathan Quinn Barnett
Guests: 11 in 5 cabins
Asking price: USD 24,499,000
Charter rate: from USD 210,000 per week

In turnkey condition after an extensive maintenance period, the 394GT SERENITY II has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, a range of 4,620nm at 11 knots and zero speed stabilisers. She features walkaround teak decks and uses her internal space to capacity. Forward on the main deck, 180-degree windows create amazing views in the VIP guest suite, which also has private use of the foredeck. The upper deck owner’s suite has an aft facing cabin with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors opening onto the aft deck for private dining and relaxation.

Another full beam VIP guest suite is situated on the lower deck, and there are three further double cabins on the lower deck. For living space, the main deck offers a saloon with an open plan lounge-dining room and a bar, which leads a partially covered aft deck with an outdoor table and banquette seating. On the extensive sun deck, guests can dine outside at another large table, sheltered by the hardtop, or sunbathe on the sunpads surrounding the jacuzzi forward with drinks from a sit-up bar. She is also for charter with Burgess.

Length: 40.1m (131.5ft)
Build: 2010 (refit 2021), Mengi-Yay, Turkey
Exterior design: Endaze Muhendislik
Interior design: H2 Yacht Design
Guests: 13 in 6 cabins
Asking price: EUR 7,450,000