Matthew Hardy
About Matthew Hardy
Should I choose a Yacht or an Investment?
First across the line!
First across the line!
The Dream Yacht.

Buying the yacht of your dreams should be an exciting and wonderful experience.

Most likely the purchase of such a boat is a significant investment and ensuring that you act on a sound financial basis will help you fulfil your maritime aspirations.

I have a vast experience in the Marine Pleasure Industry and my Financial Services Qualifications and expertise will allow us to have beneficial discussions about how much to invest in your dream yacht?

Launching questions?

How much can you afford to spend?
Investing in a yacht demands time, capital and ongoing expenditure. Clearly work, retirement, income and availability of capital and accessible funds have to be considered. Many clients start small and work their way up to a comfortable size vessel.

How much of your total net worth should you spend?
A yacht purchase is an emotive decision so setting a clear financial strategy in place can help you hold your course.

What will it cost to run my yacht and what is my budget?
There are no fixed rules for this and it the costs should be prepared as a budget with accurate breakdown of costs. There are rules of thumb based on a multiple of charter week costs, but different sailing locations will have different cost bases.

What will it cost to insure my yacht?
I have access to excellent Private Client insurance brokers who will be happy to establish your needs and tailor a policy.

What assets should I use to buy my yacht?
The tax position of any asset or investment that is being utilised for the purchase should be considered.

How else could I finance my yacht?
Outright cash purchase may strike a good deal, residential remortgages and raising marine finance from a specialist lender are options to consider. Staged payments while a yacht is in construction are another consideration.

Do you want your yacht to pass to a future generation?
Owning and sailing your yacht is a pleasure to be cherished. However, if the value of your yacht, when combined with your other assets, exceeds £325,000, the excess maybe subject to Inheritance Tax at 40%, upon your death. If you have not established a plan for addressing this then ultimately your yacht may need to be sold to meet the liability. You may prefer the security of knowing your friends and family can continue to enjoy your yacht.

The fundamental principles of wealth management apply as much to a yacht as a house or any commercial transactions!

There are clearly no hard and fast rules or answers but in a discussion we can explore the best financial strategy to be employed.

If you wish to set up an initial meeting on a no obligation basis please contact me.