What are the 10 best brands of yachts?

Best may be one of the most subjective words in the English language, but that doesn't mean some shipyards haven't distinguished themselves in a big way— and there's something, even a best, for every yacht-lover. From bespoke superyachts to cutting-edge performance vessels, the world’s leading shipyards set the standard for excellence in engineering, craftsmanship, and luxury. Below, we explore some of the most prestigious yacht builders in the industry — in no particular order! — and some of the models that are well worth a look.

Sanlorenzo: Made-to-Measure Italian Luxury

Though Sanlorenzo has only been in the superyacht business for around fifteen years, the shipyard has captured an enviable market segment, a significant collection of awards, and the hearts of a wide range of yacht-lovers, with strong year-over-year growth and a newly-signed deal with famed shipyard Nautor Swan. Crafted with customization in mind, Sanlorenzo's smallest yacht measures just shy of 80 feet (24 m), while their largest a massive 242 feet (74 m). In contrast to most builders, aluminum, steel, and fiberglass hulls are all represented across the staggering range of available designs.

See Sanlorenzo yachts currently for sale here.

Feadship: the Dutch Masters of Bespoke Yachting

Fine art aficionados will already have heard of the old masters of the Dutch Renaissance — your Rembrants, Leysters, and Vermeers — but yacht-lovers are perhaps as likely to have heard of Feadship, master builders of entire custom superyachts. The shipyard has a history dating back to the 1950s, and since then — despite producing relatively few yachts per decade — they've built numerous internationally-renowned ships, including many that, at the time of delivery, broke records for size and length (as lately as 2024, with the completion of the 118-meter, 387-foot yacht Launchpad). The shipyard has a long list of famed billionaires as fans and owners: early adopters included Henry Ford and Malcolm Forbes; in later years, Steve Jobs purchased one, as well as Bernard Arnault, CEO of luxury juggernaut LVMH. Younger moguls like Jan Koum of WhatsApp and Evan Spiegel of Snapchat, American restaurateur Jimmy John Liautaud (try to guess the name of his sandwich chain: you get one try), and WeatherTech CEO David McNeil have bought their own custom-builds in recent years, as well as Graeme Hart, famous largely for being the richest man in New Zealand.

elite is the name of the game,

and it shows in the distinction of Feadship's designs.

Elite is the name of the game at Feadship, and it shows in the eye-popping distinction of their designs: owning a Feadship is like owning a massive, luxurious, functional piece of one-of-a-kind art— but instead of being secreted away in a room only friends and family might see, it'll catch eyes (and envy) at any port you enter.

Check out current Feadship yachts for sale here.

Oceanco: Dutch Innovation in Superyachts

There was always more than one Dutch master, right? Oceanco hasn't been focused on superyachts quite as long as Feadship— since around 2002— but the Dutch shipyard builder has become synonymous with custom luxury superyachts, working with some of the world’s most visionary designers to create unmistakable silhouettes. Some of its most celebrated (and fawned-over, by superyacht fans) builds include DreAMBoat, owned by Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, which recently made an appearance in southern Louisiana for the Super Bowl; Seven Seas, originally commissioned by Steven Spielberg; and the stunning triple-masted Black Pearl.

Check out current Oceanco yachts for sale here.

Heesen: A Need for Speed

Yet another famed Dutch superyacht shipyard, sure, but Heesen sets itself apart with one fundamental, crucial difference: aluminum hulls. Prioritizing speed and fuel efficiency along with luxury, Heesen was one of the first builders to utilize the fast displacement hull form— for the uninitiated, a hull shape featuring a sharp knife-like prow that gradually ascends into a broader, flatter shape, combining speed and efficiency with generous living space.

See currently available Heesen yachts here.

Benetti: Over a Century of Italian Luxury

About a 150 years of it, to be more precise. The luxury builder has attracted some big names as fans and owners over the years, with David Bowie, Grace Kelly and her husband Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Michael Caine, and Mick Jagger among them. It's not hard to see why: Benetti yachts are coveted for their elegant interiors and thoughtful artistic touches, excellent craftsmanship, and wealth of custom options and builds. Critically, they're also eco-friendly compared to many of their competitors— the B.Yond, B.Now, and B.Century series can all come equipped with hybrid propulsion, which significantly reduces emissions relative to traditional engines, and can even be set to a zero-emissions coastal cruising mode.

hybrid propulsion reduces emissions,

and can even be set to a zero-emissions coastal cruising mode.

Check out Benetti yachts currently for sale here.

Choosing the Right Yacht Brand

There are, naturally, many more yacht builders than presented here— and many of them are innovative, well-respected, and known for quality. This small selection was chosen for all of the above traits, but also a history of love from owners and stability of the shipyards, indicating consistently good management, craftsmanship, and design.