Bristow Holmes

What Bristow Holmes does

Bristow-Holmes Ltd is a UK-domiciled, privately held boutique yacht brokerage founded by Harry Bristow-Holmes, operating with a small core team of approximately three to four professionals. The firm acts as a broker, central agent, and project manager across the full lifecycle of luxury yachts - pre-owned brokerage, new construction supervision, refit oversight, charter arrangement, and supply of marine toys and equipment - for high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and yacht owners globally, with a documented Mediterranean-centric deal footprint spanning France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Spain.

The business earns revenue through four streams: commission-based brokerage fees on yacht sales (its primary engine), professional-services fees for new-construction and refit project management, transaction commissions on charter bookings drawn from a database of over 5,000 charter vessels, and hardware sales of marine equipment including Seabob, U-Boat Worx submarines, and Whitmarsh RIBs. Pricing per transaction is not publicly disclosed but commissions are applied to vessels ranging from approximately €295,000 (Fairline Targa 47) to €30,000,000 (Icon Yachts' Gotham Project). The go-to-market is sales-led and entirely dependent on founder-driven relationships and a curated network of strategic shipyard partners (Benetti, Sunseeker, Icon Yachts, Wally and others) and service partners (Arc&Co., Peters & May, Ward Mckenzie, Ocean Legal).

Operationally, the firm is a relationship-mediated intermediary with no proprietary technology platform: its moat rests on the founder's personal network, exclusive shipyard relationships, and concierge-style service delivery. There are no disclosed funding rounds, institutional shareholders, or M&A activity; ownership remains with the founder. Notable 2024-2025 deal activity includes the sale of the Benetti Oasis 40M 'Maverick' (€23.995M), Sunseeker 131 'SH MAGIC' (€12.95M), and the multi-vessel Sunseeker 86 portfolio, alongside the launch of a bespoke new-build project (The Gotham Project) with Icon Yachts.

Name

Bristow Holmes

Legal name

BRISTOW-HOLMES LTD

Website

https://bristow-holmes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bristow Holmes is a UK-based boutique yacht brokerage and new-construction manager arranging the sale, charter, and build of luxury motor yachts for high-net-worth individuals globally, with a deal footprint concentrated in the Mediterranean (France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain) and strategic partnerships with Sunseeker, Benetti, Icon Yachts, and Wally shipyards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Yacht Brokerage Services

NAICS

Boat Dealers (441222), Ship and Boat Building (33661)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Yacht & Luxury Boat Charters (With Crew) (THAJALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cruise Yacht Charters (Private Crewed) (THAEADAG), Semi-Custom & Series Production Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAM)

Keywords

• Yacht brokerage services
• Luxury yacht sales
• Yacht construction management
• Yacht charter booking
• Marine equipment supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Brokerage Commissions: Commission-based revenue from facilitating yacht sales. The company acts as broker or central agent for yacht transactions, earning commissions on completed sales. Examples include sales of vessels like Maverick (Benetti Oasis 40M), SH MAGIC (Sunseeker 131), and numerous Sunseeker models ranging from €1M to €24M.
2. New Construction Project Management: Fees for overseeing new yacht construction projects from design through delivery, including management of shipyard relationships, designers, and naval architects. Services include advice, design coordination, build supervision, refit management, and yacht management.
3. Charter Services: Facilitation of yacht charters with access to over 5,000 charter yachts worldwide. The company arranges charter bookings and earns commissions on successful charter arrangements.
4. Marine Toys Sales: Supply of exclusive marine toys and equipment including Seabob, U-Boat Worx submarines, Whitmarsh RIBs, and other luxury water sports equipment for yacht owners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bristow Holmes is a boutique yacht brokerage firm specializing in the sale, management, and construction of luxury yachts across the globe. The company brokers pre-owned yachts across brands including Sunseeker, Benetti, Princess, and others, manages new yacht construction projects from design through delivery, arranges yacht charters with access to over 5,000 vessels worldwide, and supplies exclusive marine toys such as Seabob, U-Boat Worx submarines, and Whitmarsh RIBs.

Product overview

Bristow Holmes is a boutique yacht brokerage firm offering an integrated portfolio of yacht services. The core offering consists of Brokerage Boats (pre-owned yacht sales), New Construction (yacht building management and refit), and Charter Services (access to 5,000+ charter vessels globally). The company also manages bespoke projects such as The Gotham Project, a custom 46M superyacht, and supplies Marine Toys including Seabob, U-Boat Worx submarines, and water sports equipment. Ancillary services include insurance, marine surveying, marina berthing, financing, and international shipping through partner firms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brokerage Boats Sale of pre-owned and brokerage yachts across all major brands including Sunseeker, Benetti, Princess, and other luxury yacht manufacturers. Vessel prices range from €295,000 (Fairline Targa 47) to €30,000,000 (The Gotham Project - Icon Yachts). Targeted at high-net-worth individuals seeking yacht purchases.
• New Construction Full-service new yacht construction project management including advice, design coordination, build supervision, refit management, and yacht management covering steel, alloy, and fiberglass vessels. Targeted at clients commissioning new builds or major refits.
• Charter Services Arrangement of yacht charters providing access to over 5,000 charter yachts worldwide, ranging from 70m superyachts to 90ft vessels. Charter rates range from €45,000/week (Mangusta 105 Lauren V) to €1,100,000/week (Oceanco Tranquility). Commission-based service for clients seeking to charter luxury vessels.
• The Gotham Project A bespoke 46-metre custom aluminum superyacht project designed by Ivan Erdevicki of ER Yacht Design and built by Icon Yachts, featuring twin MTU engines and capable of 26 knots. Listed at €30,000,000 and represented by Bristow-Holmes for sale on behalf of the project owners.
• Marine Toys Supply of exclusive marine toys and water sports equipment including Seabob, Jetlev, U-Boat Worx personal submarines, Whitmarsh RIBs, Gocycle, Aquaglide, and Powerdive products. Targeted at yacht owners seeking luxury water sports accessories.
• Yacht Management Services Comprehensive yacht management services including insurance provision, marine surveying (Ward Mckenzie), marina berthing (Camper & Nicholsons), marine finance (Arc&Co), and international yacht shipping (Peters & May). Coordinated through preferred partner firms for yacht owners requiring ongoing operational support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully sold numerous high-value yachts including 11 Sunseeker 86 yachts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SeabobminorOthersMarine toys and water sports equipment brand for yacht owners. Bristow-Holmes supplies Seabob products as part of their marine equipment offerings.
• U-Boat WorxminorOthersPersonal underwater submarine manufacturer. Bristow-Holmes offers U-Boat Worx submarines as part of their exclusive marine toys selection.
• WhitmarshminorOthersHigh-performance RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) manufacturer. Whitmarsh RIBs featured as tenders and marine equipment options.
• BenetticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian superyacht builder. Bristow-Holmes has exclusive relationships for selling Benetti yachts including the Oasis 40M series. Sold multiple Benetti vessels including Christella II (Delfino 95) and represents Benetti Oasis models.
• Sunseeker InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish luxury yacht manufacturer. Bristow-Holmes has sold numerous Sunseeker models and is recognized as a leading independent brokerage for Sunseeker motor yachts, with 11 Sunseeker 86 yachts sold.
• Icon YachtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch shipyard. Bristow-Holmes collaborates on The Gotham Project, a 46M aluminum superyacht with ER Yacht Design, representing the project for sale.
• WallycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian yacht builder known for innovative designs. Bristow-Holmes sells Wally vessels including the Wally Tender 48X.
• Camper & Nicholsons MarinasminorOthersMarina operator with superyacht marinas in Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Middle East. Referenced as a preferred marina partner for yacht management services.
• Arc&Co.minorOthersMarine and Aviation finance specialist. Referenced as preferred partner for yacht financing arrangements.
• Peters & MayminorOthersYacht shipping specialist with 25+ years experience shipping 4,000+ yachts annually. Referenced as preferred shipping partner.
• Ward MckenzieminorOthersInternational yacht surveyors and legal consultants with 15+ years advising buyers and owners. Referenced as preferred surveying partner.
• Ocean Legal (Lucy Goff)minorOthersLegal services firm specializing in yacht transactions. Provided legal expertise on multiple transactions including Alina, Jeel, and SH MAGIC sales.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Y.CO: Boutique superyacht sales, charter, and management firm with strong Mediterranean presence and a design-conscious brand. Direct competitor for similar boutique, design-led HNW clientele.
• Burgess: One of the world's largest superyacht brokerages offering sales, charter, management, and new construction services to HNW clients globally. Directly competitive with Bristow-Holmes across all four service lines.
• Fraser Yachts: Established superyacht sales, charter, and management broker with deep relationships with major European and U.S. shipyards. Comparable to Bristow-Holmes in customer profile and service mix.
• International Yacht Company (IYC): Global yachting firm combining yacht sales, charter, management, and new construction oversight for an ultra-HNW clientele. Comparable as a full-service boutique-to-mid-scale brokerage peer.
• Northrop & Johnson: U.S.-headquartered superyacht sales and charter brokerage with global reach, selling and managing both motor yachts and sailing yachts from fractional ownership up to 100m+ builds. Comparable in HNW focus and Sunseeker/Benetti-style listings.
• Merle Wood & Associates: Long-established U.S. yacht broker specializing in motor yacht sales for HNW clients. Comparable as a founder-led sales boutique in the same transaction-driven brokerage category.
• Worth Avenue Yachts: Florida-based yacht brokerage specializing in motor yacht sales with an experienced broker team. Comparable in its focus on transactional yacht sales rather than franchised dealer representation.
• Camper & Nicholsons: Long-established superyacht brokerage and management house with global offices and dedicated new construction, sale, charter, and management divisions. Directly overlaps with Bristow-Holmes' full-service offering.
• Cecil Wright & Partners: Specialist superyacht broker dealing in new-build brokerage and resale of sailing and motor yachts, typically 30m+. Comparable as a small, senior-relationship boutique competing on similar mandates.
• Edmiston: London-rooted superyacht sales, charter, and management company. Comparable as a mid-sized European brokerage competing for the same UHNW buyer pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bristow-holmes
• Instagraminstagram.com/theyachtbroker

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bristow Holmes