Market Intelligence
KNOW WHAT THE MARKET IS ACTUALLY DOING
Asking prices are opinions. Sold prices are facts. Most buyers and sellers make decisions based on what vessels are listed for — not what they actually trade for. Wake & Compass provides market intelligence grounded in transaction data: what comparable vessels have sold for, how long they sat, and what the spread between asking and closing price tells you about current market conditions.
Asking vs. Sold
The Gap Between Asking and Sold Is Where Decisions Get Made
A listing price is a seller's opening position. A sold price is what the market actually determined the vessel was worth on that day, in that condition, to that buyer. The difference between the two — and how that difference has moved over time — is one of the most useful signals in the market.
Asking Price
The price a seller has chosen to list at. It reflects the seller's expectations, their broker's recommendation, and sometimes the comparable data — but it is not a market determination. Asking prices can be aspirational, stale, or strategically set below market to generate multiple offers.
Sold Price
The price a willing buyer paid a willing seller in an arm's-length transaction. Sold prices are the closest thing to objective market value available in the yacht market. They account for condition, timing, negotiation, and the specific motivations of the parties involved.
The Spread
The percentage difference between asking and sold price across comparable transactions. A narrowing spread suggests a seller's market — buyers are paying close to asking. A widening spread suggests buyer leverage — sellers are accepting meaningful discounts. The spread is a directional indicator, not a guarantee of any specific outcome.
Days on Market
How long a vessel sat before selling. Short days-on-market at or near asking price indicates strong demand. Long days-on-market with significant price reductions indicates the vessel was overpriced, had condition issues, or the market moved during the listing period. Days on market is a condition indicator as much as a pricing signal.
What We Analyze
Four Lenses on Every Market Situation
Evaluation Intelligence
Before a vessel is listed or an offer is made, we analyze the comparable sold data to establish a defensible price range. This is not an appraisal — it is a broker's market opinion based on available transaction data, current inventory, and market conditions. It is the starting point for every pricing and offer decision we make.
Acquisition Intelligence
For buyers, we analyze what comparable vessels have actually sold for — not just what they are listed at. We identify the realistic price range for the vessel type, size, age, and condition you are targeting. This intelligence informs your offer strategy and your walk-away number before you ever step aboard a vessel.
Negotiation Intelligence
During active negotiations, market data is a tool. We use comparable sold prices, days-on-market trends, and current inventory levels to support our negotiating position — whether we are representing the seller or the buyer. Data-grounded negotiation produces better outcomes than positional bargaining.
Stale Listing Analysis
A vessel that has been on the market for an extended period without selling is telling you something. We analyze stale listings to understand whether the issue is pricing, presentation, condition, or market timing — and what adjustment, if any, is likely to change the outcome. Not every stale listing is overpriced. Some are mis-presented. Some are waiting for the right buyer.
What Market Intelligence Is — and Is Not
Market intelligence provided by Wake & Compass represents a broker's professional opinion based on available market data. It is not a formal appraisal, a survey, legal advice, tax advice, or a guarantee of any specific price outcome. Yacht markets are illiquid and transaction data is often incomplete. Past transactions are not predictive of future results. Buyers and sellers are encouraged to engage independent legal, tax, and financial counsel before making any purchase or sale decision.
Not an Appraisal
A broker's market opinion is not a certified appraisal. For financing, insurance, or legal purposes requiring a formal valuation, engage a qualified marine appraiser.
Not a Survey
Market intelligence does not assess the physical condition of any vessel. A professional marine survey by a qualified surveyor is the appropriate tool for condition assessment.
Not Legal or Tax Advice
Nothing provided by Wake & Compass constitutes legal or tax advice. Buyers and sellers should consult qualified legal and tax professionals regarding the implications of any yacht transaction.
No Guarantee of Outcome
Market data informs decisions — it does not determine them. No broker can guarantee a specific sale price, a specific timeline, or the completion of any transaction. Market conditions change. Buyer and seller motivations vary. Every transaction is unique.
Request a Confidential Market Opinion
Whether you are considering a sale, evaluating a purchase, or simply trying to understand where the market is — we can provide a data-grounded market opinion for the vessel or vessel type you are focused on.