Q and A

Meet the broker: Stuart Brotherton,

Ancasta’s Sales Director, oversees the management and development of our 24 sales offices across the UK and Europe. Stuart has extensive experience in marine industry sales and is passionate about helping clients find the best yacht for their experience, budget, and ambitions.

Can you tell us about your earliest memories of being on the water?

I didn’t actually grow up around boats, so my early memories of being on the water are mostly of being down the beach with family and friends when I was much younger, which we did very frequently. My boating life really started when I worked on a local foot-passenger ferry in Lymington.

Why did you decide to work in yacht sales?

I’ve always had a genuine interest in boats and being on the water, so progressing from skippering boats to yacht sales felt like a natural fit. What I particularly enjoy is that it combines the product side – understanding the yachts, their design and capabilities – with the people side. Every client has different ambitions for their time on the water and helping them find the yacht that enables those experiences is incredibly rewarding.

Which are your favourite yachts and why?

It’s difficult to choose just one because different yachts excel at different things. I’m naturally drawn to yachts that combine great design and performance with genuine usability. The best yachts, for me, are the ones where everything feels considered – how you move around the boat, how the social spaces work, how it performs at sea and, ultimately, how easy it is to enjoy.

What onboard feature would you never want to be without?

A really good outdoor entertaining space. So much of the pleasure of being on a yacht comes from spending time outside with family and friends, whether that’s breakfast at anchor, an afternoon swimming or dinner as the sun goes down. A well-designed cockpit, flybridge or beach club can completely transform how you use a yacht.

Where is your favourite anchorage/port and why?

If I were to pick somewhere in the UK, then it would be Alum Bay near the Needles on the Isle of Wight. The water is clear, the views are spectacular, and it’s a great place to drop the hook and relax.

What does life on the water mean to you personally?

Freedom. There’s something about being on the water that changes your pace completely. I don’t mind if I’m on a sailing boat, powerboat, paddleboard or kayak. Just being afloat is always a great way to wind down.

What are the biggest misconceptions about owning a yacht?

One misconception is that you need to know everything about boating before you can own a yacht. You don’t. There’s a lot to learn, of course, but with the right advice, training and support, the process can be much more straightforward than people imagine. Another misconception is that there’s a single definition of the “perfect yacht”. In reality, the right yacht is the one that suits how you want to spend your time on the water.

How do you help a client identify the right yacht for their lifestyle?

It starts with listening rather than immediately talking about boats. I want to understand how they imagine using the yacht: where they want to go, who will normally be onboard, whether they prioritise entertaining, performance, longer passages, watersports, accommodation or ease of handling. Once you understand those priorities, you can start narrowing down the options. Sometimes the yacht a client ultimately chooses is quite different from the one they initially thought they wanted. That discovery process is an important part of what we do.

What would you say to someone dreaming about buying a yacht but unsure whether to take the first step?

Start the conversation. You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly which yacht you want or even be ready to buy immediately. Come and look at some boats, step onboard, ask questions, and talk honestly about what you’d like to do on the water. The more you experience different yachts, the clearer your priorities become. Taking that first step should be exciting rather than intimidating.

What changes do you expect to see in yacht ownership in the near future?

I think we’ll continue to see owners looking for greater efficiency, smarter technology, and more versatile yachts. Sustainability will increasingly influence design and propulsion, but owners will still expect performance, comfort, and range.

I also think buyers are becoming increasingly focused on how a yacht fits into their lifestyle rather than simply its size or specification. Flexible spaces, connectivity, ease of operation, and the ability to spend longer periods comfortably onboard will become even more important.

Ultimately, the yachts that succeed will be those that make getting out on the water simpler and more enjoyable.