Taking A Propulsion-First Approach To Yacht Selection
Start with Power: Why Propulsion Should Drive Yacht Selection For Certain Buyers
A targeted approach for big boat buyers whose operational needs make propulsion the critical decision factor.
If you're starting your yacht search with brand prestige, interior styling, or that perfect profile shot you saw on IG, you're not wrong, but there's another strategy I want you to consider. For four specific buyer profiles, I think a propulsion-first approach does wonders.
Why Propulsion-first can pay off.
Let’s say you’ve just purchased your dream home in the Bahamas, surrounded by a scattering of islands, and crisp—yet shallow—blue waters. Your dream boat is a Riva, and you’ve got the cash to splurge for your dream, the Riva Argo. But that Riva’s shaft propulsion system leaves you with a draft of almost 7 feet, verses the Mangusta 104 REV that’s almost 15’ more boat yet with a draft under 5 feet from its water jet Kamewa drives.
So water jets are the best? Think again. Now, you’ve relocated to the city, where your condo has a perfect view of the skyline, but unfortunately, no waterfront dockage. You need to put your boat in the city’s best marina, but the slips are tight as are surrounding waterways. When you get out on the water, you’re not looking for high-performance, just a quiet, fuel efficient cruise aboard a yacht with all the premium features. You need IPS drives.
Propulsion systems are like investment strategies; there’s no right answer for everyone. It’s case by case, and if your case is one of the four listed below, a propulsion-first approach could help you choose a boat you visually love that’s also a top fit for your boating style.
The Four Buyer Profiles Where Propulsion Should Drive Selection
After working with buyers all over the map, I've identified four specific profiles where a propulsion-first approach should take priority. If you recognize yourself in these profiles, filter by propulsion type and you’ll naturally filter towards a great fit.
The Mangusta Gransport 33m is powered by 4 x Volvo IPS 1,000 HP engines.
The Efficiency-Obsessed Owner
Profile: Long-distance cruising, fuel costs matter significantly
Recommended Propulsion: IPS
If you're planning extended cruising or fuel efficiency directly impacts your boating frequency, start your search with IPS configurations. With IPS drives, power transfers almost immediately to the propeller, which actuates to steer as well. This setup has almost no loss of energy, yielding fuel efficiency at high and low speeds. As a bonus, IPS drives are easy to maneuver in tight spaces due to their joystick compatibility.
Popular IPS boats: Pardo 50, Vanquish 58, Sanlorenzo SX88, Mangusta Gransport 33m
The Pershing 7X is powered by 2 x MAN V12 1,800 HP engines with surface drives, kicking up the beautiful “rooster tail” seen here.
The Performance Nut
Profile: Speed is non-negotiable
Recommended Propulsion: Surface Drives
If speed is non-negotiable—and I mean excessive, heart pumping speed—surface drives are where you’ll start. Surface drives are mounted directly to the yacht transom, allowing for nearly horizontal propulsion maximizing every possible knot. Without running gear elements mounted under the hull (shafts and IPS) drag is also non-existent.
Popular surface drive boats: Maori 54, Lamborghini 63, entire Pershing catalogue
Fun fact: Surface drives get their name because the top of the prop usually sticks out of the water when at speed.
The Sanlorenzo SL96A is powered by 2 x MTU 16V 2000HP M86 engines and V-drives (shaft).
The Analog Owner
Profile: Prefers simple, dependable systems
Recommended Propulsion: Shaft Propulsion
Buyers who value simplicity, reliability, and straightforward maintenance should start with traditional shaft propulsion systems. This approach leads toward boats with proven, dependable drivetrains that prioritize reliability over complexity. This is usually a response from a bad prior experience, either with systems that were too expensive to maintain, or too delicate to be dependable. A smart owner once said, “The most expensive boat is the one you can never use”.
Popular shaft boats: VanDutch 55, Princess S65, Riva Perseo (76’), Sanlorenzo 96A
The Mangusta 104 REV is powered by 2 x MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines with Kamewa jet drives.
The Go Everywhere Owner
Profile: Shallow water requirements
Recommended Propulsion: Jet Drives
This might be the most important of the profiles. Shallow waters are a boat’s worst enemy, and buying a boat with a draft too big for your area can limit you to boating only during high tide, or limit you altogether. We don’t want that. Shallow waters call for jet drive propulsion. Whether you're exploring the Bahamas, Caribbean, or just shallow draft waterways, jet propulsion means your keel (the hull’s lowest point) is also your boat’s lowest point. There are no propellers, shafts, struts or rams to hit the ground if you enter a shallow area.
Popular jet drive boats: Hinckley (generally), Palm Beach GT60, Mangusta 104 REV, AB110
When Traditional Approaches Still Make Sense
For buyers who don't fit these four profiles, starting with brand, layout, or aesthetics remains perfectly valid. Brand loyalists with positive past experiences can stick with what works for them. Layout-focused families with specific accommodation requirements might choose their boat’s region only after they find that perfect 5 cabin arrangement. If you’re design-centric and aesthetics are the forefront of your decision making, then I’ll agree, propulsion is probably your last consideration, and I’m ok with it.
Just like there is no one propulsion system for everyone, there’s no selection strategy right for everyone either.
Making the Decision
To put the propulsion-first selection style into practice, its as easy as three simple steps:
Identify your profile: Do you recognize yourself in one of the four buyer profiles above?
Assess your priorities: If you associate with more than one profile, which is greater?
Find a match: With your new filters set, make your selection, and know you’re one step closer to a boat that’s both mechanically and aesthetically setup for you.
Why I like this approach the best.
Starting your search propulsion-first eliminates a large percentage of possible buyer’s remorse. Thinking propulsion-first forces your hand in thinking beyond emotional interest. And while that’s not the ideal sales strategy for someone selling boats (me), it’s a conscious effort to measure twice and cut once during a buying process that is easily managed to land you with a boat well-fit for your brain, heart and wallet.
The Bottom Line
If you're naturally drawn to start your search with brand, size or style, that's a perfectly valid approach. But if you’re interested in a slightly more technical approach, and fit into one of our four propulsion-first buyer profiles, consider this strategy might serve you better. Each profile has an optimal propulsion type that, when used as your starting filter, will guide you toward boats that truly match your operational needs.
The goal isn't to make propulsion the only consideration—it's to offer an alternative approach for buyers whose specific operational requirements might be better served by starting in the engine room rather than the salon.
Sometimes the smartest yacht purchase starts with understanding how you'll actually use the boat, then finding the propulsion system that makes that use effortless.
ON THE HUNT FOR YOUR NEXT BOAT?
Let’s use this propulsion-first approach in finding your next boat. To get started, email me at Reed@RNMarine.com.
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About the Author
Reed Nicol is a licensed yacht broker with experience in all corners of the marine industry. He’s worked as an executive and sales director in yacht manufacturing and distribution, has structured commercial charter operations, and designed and executed notable refits. Read more about Reed’s marine journey, his love of helping 1st time boaters and his entrepreneurial spirit here.
Reed Nicol [Licensed FL Yacht Broker #11926]
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