There is something undeniably compelling about a yacht auction. Unlike traditional brokerage sales, auctions introduce urgency, transparency and often extraordinary value. Increasingly, that urgency is being channelled through Boathouse Auctions — a purpose-built online auction platform dedicated exclusively to high-quality yachts, and one that is proving popular with both buyers and sellers.
Rather than disrupting the traditional brokerage model, Boathouse Auctions works in tandem with listing brokers. The platform combines the trusted relationships and rigorous due diligence of brokerage with the momentum and time-certainty of a global digital bidding event. The model is resonating particularly strongly with owners who understand that berthing, crew, insurance, maintenance and operational costs can quickly eclipse the marginal gain of holding out for an aspirational asking price.
“Selling through auction has become an increasingly attractive option for yacht owners who value the certainty of time and speed," says Jack Mahoney, director of Boathouse Auctions. "A well-structured auction concentrates global interest into a defined timeframe and creates healthy competition among qualified buyers. For our first auction of 2026, we're already seeing early interest from buyers and brokers, which reinforces what we've been hearing from the market: sellers want a clear outcome, buyers want transparency, and the auction format delivers both.”
With that framework in place, the following three opportunities are heading under the hammer next month: a proven Westport charter platform, a freshly refitted vintage Benetti and a 125-metre superyacht berth in Genoa that serves as the perfect Mediterranean base. BOAT takes a closer look...
Serengeti
LOA: 39.6m
Builder: Westport
Online bidding period: 18 March 2026
Opening bid: No reserve, selling to the highest bidder
Few words command attention in yacht brokerage quite like “no reserve”. The 39.6-metre Westport Serengeti will sell to the highest bidder regardless of price.
Built in GRP and launched in 2002, Serengeti was originally commissioned by a knowledgeable yachtsman intent on creating a true on-water oasis for his family. The result is a yacht that balances classic American volume with practical cruising capability. Her fully walk-around main deck enhances both privacy and flow, while her 7.9-metre beam delivers generous interior proportions. She has also built a proven charter history in Alaska under her current ownership.
Accommodation is configured for 12 guests across five staterooms, including a main deck forward master suite complete with a whirlpool bath, glass-enclosed shower, his-and-hers vanities and a cedar-lined walk-in wardrobe. Below deck, two king staterooms and two twins — one with a Pullman berth — are all en suite. Separate quarters accommodate eight crew.
Outdoor living is equally compelling. A Jacuzzi sits aft on the bridge deck, while the flybridge offers sunpads and a barbecue for relaxed al fresco dining. With a five-metre Novurania expedition tender plus kayaks, boards, water skis and inflatables included, she is primed for adventure cruising.
Twin MTU 12V4000 engines deliver a top speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots, while her two-metre draught makes her versatile for varied cruising grounds. Notably, an ASEA Shore Power converter allows her to take power virtually anywhere in the world.
Lying in Newport Beach, California, Serengeti is listed for sale with Kevin Merrigan of Northrop & Johnson.
Star of the Sea
LOA: 34.5m
Builder: Benetti
Online bidding period: 18-19 March 2026
Opening bid: $250,000
For buyers drawn to pedigree and character, the 34.5-metre Benetti Star of the Sea is a compelling choice. Built in 1983 in steel and aluminium, this vintage Benetti spans a substantial 7.2-metre beam.
According to her broker, her interiors “take you back to the golden age of yachting,” with vintage nautical artworks, Italian striped upholstery and even a traditional wooden helm anchoring the aesthetic.
In 2024, she completed an extensive refit exceeding $1,000,000. Upgrades included essential plate work, new through-hull valves, a replacement bow thruster and fresh carpeting throughout.
Accommodation is for 12 guests across six en suite cabins, including a master positioned on the main deck forward, while below are a VIP, a double and three twins. There are separate quarters for a crew of seven.
There are plenty of outdoor spaces to enjoy and soak up the views on board, including an upper deck al fresco dining area, a skylounge and a Jacuzzi on the sundeck. Twin Caterpillar engines provide an eight-knot cruising speed, a top speed of 10 knots and a transoceanic range of 4,000 nautical miles at nine knots.
After two decades of cherished ownership, her current owner is ready to pass the vessel on to the next steward of her legacy - perfect for a buyer who values history as much as hull form.
Lying in Fort Lauderdale, Star of the Sea is listed for sale with John Jacobi of Fraser.
125m Genoa superyacht berth
LOA: 125m
Location: Marina Genova Aeroporto
Online bidding period: 18-19 March 2026
Opening bid: €1,000,000
Located in The Superyacht Village at Marina Genova Aeroporto, Berth W5 is actively for sale with a lease until 2052 and is configured for yachts up to 125 metres LOA, with a 25-metre beam and a 12-metre depth.
Privacy and security are paramount, with 24-hour security and CCTV for peace of mind. The berth also comes with dedicated parking at the marina for up to 10 cars.
The buyer can benefit from Marina Genova Aeroporto's extensive hospitality services, covering management assistance, port bookings, leisure reservations, limousine services, helicopter taxi, and professional cleaning and laundry, to name a few.
The marina itself houses a four-star boutique hotel with spa, restaurants, a gym, a yacht club, an art gallery and meeting facilities. There are also state-of-the-art refit shipyards nearby, as well as provisioning, bunkering, helicopter fuel and a chandlery.
Just five kilometres from the centre of Genoa - home to Europe’s largest medieval town centre and a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the berth also provides gateway access to popular Ligurian destinations such as Portofino and Cinque Terre.
Listed under a joint central agency with Burgess and Inwards Marine, the berth presents a chance to secure a long-term Mediterranean home port in one of Italy’s most strategically located marinas.
More yacht auctions on the horizon
Four more yachts are set to go under the hammer, with Boathouse Auctions' second event of the year launching on 25 February and running alongside the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2026: a 47-metre Admiral built in 1998, listed for sale with Northrop & Johnson; a 40-metre Westship built in 2000, listed for sale with Worth Avenue Yachts; a 33-metre Horizon built in 2008, listed for sale with Burgess; and a 30-metre Ocean Alexander built in 2017, listed with Superyacht Sales and Charter.
For full details and to register to bid, visit Serengeti, Star of the Sea or the 125-metre Genoa berth directly via their respective auction listings.
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