Nimbus T11
40ft 7in (12.37m) | 2022 Nimbus | €420,000
Buying a yacht
Find the right yacht and buy it with confidence.
From a local upgrade to an acquisition overseas, I guide you through every stage: finding the right vessel, negotiating, surveys, contracts and delivery. You get straight answers and a broker who is on your side.
- Since 1997
- in Asian yachting, starting with Lee Marine’s launch in Phuket
- Hundreds
- of yacht sales, brokerage and new build in Asia, 1997–2017
- Asia Pacific
- General Manager for Northrop & Johnson since 2018
- 2022
- named one of Asia’s Yachting Leaders by Yacht Style
What’s included
What I handle for you
Vessel selection
Understanding how you will use the boat, then shortlisting yachts that genuinely fit, drawing on owners and brokers I have known for years, and on Northrop & Johnson’s worldwide network.
Negotiation
Honest advice on value and a steady hand at the table, so you pay the right price for the right boat.
Surveys and sea trials
Independent surveyors I trust, and a sea trial that tells you what you need to know before you commit.
Contracts
Offers, deposits and closing documents handled properly, with nothing left to chance.
Delivery logistics
Registration, delivery and handover, wherever your yacht needs to be.
The process
How buying with me works
Clear steps, no surprises. I keep you updated at every stage, and you always know what happens next.
Step 1: Your brief
We talk through how you will use the yacht, your budget and your timing.
Step 2: Search and shortlist
I find and assess the yachts worth your time, and tell you honestly what I think of each.
Step 3: Viewings
In person or by video, with clear notes on condition, history and value.
Step 4: Offer and negotiation
I negotiate price and terms, and keep the process moving.
Step 5: Survey and sea trial
Independent survey and sea trial, with advice on anything they find.
Step 6: Closing and handover
Contracts, payment, registration and delivery, managed through to handover.
Plain English
The words you’ll hear
New to buying or selling a yacht? Here is what the terms on this page mean.
- Brokerage
- Buying or selling a yacht that has already had an owner, as opposed to ordering a new one.
- New build
- A yacht ordered new from a builder, either from stock or built to your specification.
- Survey
- An independent inspection of the hull, engines and systems by a qualified marine surveyor, usually a condition of the sale.
- Sea trial
- A test run at sea before completion, to check the yacht performs as described.
- Deposit
- A part-payment, commonly around 10%, held until the survey and sea trial are accepted.
- Closing
- Completion of the sale: the balance is paid, the bill of sale is signed and ownership transfers.
- Handover
- The day the yacht, her keys, documents and equipment pass to the new owner.
Yachts for sale
Current listings
Yachts I’m offering for sale now. For the full specification, the history or a viewing, ask me directly.
All listings on one pageTrack record
Recently sold
A few of the yachts I have sold, as announced by Northrop & Johnson. Every sale is different; the care that goes into it isn’t.
| Yacht | Builder and type | Length | Built | Sold | My role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG MAMA: sale announcement | Riviera 78 Motor Yacht | 81 ft 5 in (24.8 m) | 2022 | January 2025 | Seller’s broker |
| FIREBIRD: sale announcement | Palmer Johnson aluminium ketch | 84 ft (25.6 m) | 1966 | January 2025 | Buyer’s and seller’s broker |
| THEA: sale announcement | Kong & Halvorsen motor yacht | 94 ft 2 in (28.7 m) | 1979 | July 2024 | Seller’s broker |
Sources: Northrop & Johnson sale announcements for BIG MAMA (16 January 2025), FIREBIRD (16 January 2025) and THEA (9 July 2024).
Looking for something specific?
The market moves quickly, and the right boat is often found through the network rather than a listings page. Tell me what you have in mind and I will send you the yachts that fit.
Client testimonials
In my clients’ words
Seamless from the start
“His commitment truly sets him apart. Nothing was too much trouble, questions answered promptly and with ease. Even the unexpected was handled without fuss. His professionalism, warmth and attention to detail meant we were supported and confident in every step. We’re incredibly grateful for Martin’s guidance and recommend him highly to anyone looking to buy a boat with total peace of mind.”
Superb advice
“Thanks so much for all you did to pull the deal together for me Martin. We had an agreement, but way more than that, your advice was superb. Thank you.”
Next step
Tell me what you are looking for.
Share a rough brief — type, size, budget, where you want to cruise — and I will come back with honest options.
Martin Holmes
Phuket, Thailand (UTC+7)
WhatsApp or call +66 81 891 7057