Yachts for Sale in the USA

The right yacht may lie in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean or elsewhere, with the USA as the place to view, survey, refit or base it. The USA is a starting point, not the limit of the search.

South Florida is the flagship hub, but yachts are also bought and sold in the Northeast (Newport, New York, Maine), the Gulf Coast, the Pacific Northwest and California. We record a yacht's verified state and port, not just "USA". Florida-specific detail lives on our Florida page: /yachts/for-sale/location/florida.

Fort Lauderdale is the centre of U.S. yacht brokerage, service and refit, with FLIBS each autumn. Miami combines international flights, owner lifestyle and Biscayne Bay; Palm Beach is a long-established owner and winter-season base. Together they make South Florida the natural place for U.S. viewings.

A yacht located in the USA may be foreign-flagged and not imported, or U.S. duty paid. We never infer "duty paid" from location, and confirm import and customs status with the seller and specialists before it affects your decision. Foreign-flagged yachts may face restrictions on being offered for sale to U.S. residents while in U.S. waters.

U.S. documentation is separate from location. Documentation carries ownership and citizenship requirements, and some endorsements depend on build, ownership and history. Coastwise eligibility (relevant to commercial use in U.S. waters under the Jones Act) is specific to each vessel — U.S.-built does not automatically mean coastwise eligible, and we never promise it casually.

Do not assume a sale yacht can charter in the USA. Commercial use depends on flag, build, documentation, crew, inspection and passenger rules. Decide intended use before purchase and take specialist advice. We make no promises of charter revenue.

The USA has a respected heritage of custom and production yards. Foreign-built yachts are widely owned in the USA too; the questions are import status, documentation and intended use rather than nationality. U.S.-built yachts are listed in their own section with their location shown separately.

Federal documentation and state titling are different systems. An abstract of title from the U.S. Coast Guard helps reveal recorded ownership and mortgages; maritime lawyers should check liens, encumbrances and closing documents. We coordinate; we do not give legal advice.

Sales and use tax depend on the state, where the yacht is delivered and used, and the buyer's structure. Some states offer caps or exemptions with conditions. There is no universal "tax-free yacht purchase"; take independent tax advice before contracting.

An independent survey, haul-out inspection and sea trial are standard, usually after an offer is accepted in principle. South Florida has deep surveyor, yard and specialist capacity.

Fort Lauderdale and the wider U.S. yard network offer extensive refit and service. A yacht in refit is not necessarily for sale, and a refit location is not a sale location until the seller confirms it.

A purchase does not include a berth. Plan seasonal berthing early, and for yachts in the hurricane belt agree a hurricane plan with insurers, captain and marina. Availability is never assumed.

Yacht finance is available from specialist lenders; documented vessels can carry preferred ship mortgages. Lund Group can introduce lenders but does not give financing advice.

First-time buyers get a structured brief and step-by-step process; existing owners can explore trading up or a discreet sale. Brokerage yachts can be owned quickly; new builds offer specification and warranty with a longer timeline.

Many U.S. owners cruise the Bahamas and Caribbean. Entering other countries involves clearance, cruising permits and local rules — plan flag and documentation with that in mind.

1 Define the brief · 2 Search the U.S. and global market · 3 Compare yachts · 4 Contact central agents · 5 Coordinate private viewings · 6 Review import and documentation status · 7 Compare commercial terms · 8 Coordinate offers · 9 Introduce surveyors · 10 Request sea trials · 11 Coordinate maritime lawyers and tax specialists · 12 Support closing · 13 Plan delivery, berth, crew and management.

Off-market means a confirmed opportunity shared privately — never a rumour or unverified listing.