Key takeaways
- The leading superyacht yards include Lürssen, Feadship, Amels, Oceanco and Royal Hakvoort.
- The best builder for you depends on size, style, engineering and delivery timeline, not a single ranking.
- German and Dutch yards lead the largest full-custom builds, while Italian yards offer strong semi-custom and custom ranges.
- Moran manages new construction and has delivered more than 65 custom projects, so a broker can guide the choice.
A great yacht builder is more than a famous name. What separates the top yards is a combination of heritage, engineering depth, the size range they can deliver and a track record of handing over yachts that perform for decades. The right choice depends on what you want to build, not on a single league table.
Moran works on the construction side as well as sales and charter, and has delivered more than 65 custom projects, so we tend to judge builders by what matters to an owner. The profiles below cover the yards buyers ask about most, with a link to each builder page and to our new yacht construction team. Where a specific size or orderbook claim is cited, it is drawn from published industry coverage such as BOAT International.
Lürssen
Lürssen is the German yard most associated with the largest full-custom superyachts. Its reputation rests on heavy engineering, naval-architecture depth and a history of delivering some of the biggest private yachts afloat, with size and orderbook detail reported by BOAT International. For an owner planning a large, complex, fully custom build, it is usually on the shortlist.
Explore the yard on our Lürssen page.
Feadship
Feadship is the Dutch benchmark for custom craftsmanship. The yard focuses on full-custom yachts built to a very high standard of finish and engineering, often with a quieter, more understated design language. Buyers who prioritize build quality and longevity over sheer volume gravitate here.
See our Feadship page for more.
Amels, Oceanco, Royal Hakvoort and other leading yards
Beyond Lürssen and Feadship, several yards deserve a place on any serious shortlist. Amels pairs Dutch engineering with a semi-custom platform that shortens delivery times. Oceanco focuses on large, design-led custom yachts. Royal Hakvoort is a Dutch yard known for full-custom displacement yachts and exacting craftsmanship, and Moran has delivered projects there, so we know the yard’s work firsthand.
Italian yards round out the field. CRN builds large full-custom yachts, and Moran knows the yard firsthand: we delivered AMOR A VIDA there, now available for charter, and Project 146 is currently under construction. Mangusta is known for its sport and open-style yachts. The right fit depends on the size, material and timeline your project calls for.
How to choose a builder for your yacht
Start with the brief, not the badge. Define the size range, the intended use, the cruising grounds and the delivery timeline, then match those to a yard with the right platform and capacity. Engineering complexity, resale considerations and the yard’s current orderbook all shape the decision.
A construction broker helps you compare yards objectively and manage the build from contract to delivery. See new yacht construction and buying a luxury yacht to plan the next step.
Frequently asked questions
Who builds the best superyachts?
The leading yards include Lürssen, Feadship, Amels, Oceanco and Royal Hakvoort. Which is best depends on the size, style and engineering your project needs.
What is the difference between Lürssen and Feadship?
Both are top-tier full-custom builders. Lürssen is associated with the largest builds, while Feadship is known for Dutch custom craftsmanship and finish. Specific size claims are best checked against published industry coverage.
Which yacht builder is right for me?
It depends on your size range, engineering needs and delivery timeline. A construction broker can guide the choice and manage the build.
Talk to Moran about a new build
If you are weighing a build, our team can help you compare yards and manage the project end to end. Explore new yacht construction or our recommended luxury yacht builders.
