By Dean Smith, D‑Marin, Chief Commercial Officer

Twenty years ago, boating was a world defined by heritage, hands‑on skill, and a slow climb through vessel sizes. Owners began with smaller craft and worked their way upward; they had to learn the intricacies of engines, electronics, and maintenance along the journey. Marinas were reliable, practical, functional hubs, designed for seasoned mariners who wanted a safe berth and little else. Today, that world looks almost unrecognisable.

Dean Smith has watched this transformation from one of the best vantage points in the industry. As Chief Commercial Officer at D‑Marin, he oversees 26 premium marinas across nine countries, welcoming more than 50,000 customers annually.

"Boating used to be about progression through experience," says Smith. "Today, it's about immediate access to a lifestyle."

The superyacht shortcut

In the last five years, an unprecedented wave of newcomers has reshaped the sector. First‑time buyers now make up 31 per cent of all new boat purchases and 37 per cent of pre‑owned transactions, fuelling a 35 per cent rise in first‑time ownership overall. But it isn't just the volume of new entrants that's significant; it's how differently they behave.

"We're seeing owners step straight into 40, 50 or even 70-metre yachts as their first acquisition," Smith explains. "They're not buying into boating as a technical pursuit—they're investing in a fully formed lifestyle."

The average superyacht owner has dropped from around 65 to under 55 in just one decade. For this cohort, entry at the superyacht level isn't about tradition or seamanship. It's about acquiring a turnkey asset that functions simultaneously as vacation home, entertainment venue, and personal brand statement.

This shift is visible across D‑Marin's network, which provides more than 14,000 berths, including over 1,000 dedicated to superyachts. Demand for larger berths has been one of the fastest-growing segments within the portfolio - a trend Smith expects to continue as the global superyacht fleet expands.

Customer expectations are evolving

This generational shift is forcing a fundamental redefinition of what a marina represents.

"The marina is no longer just infrastructure," says Smith. "It's an integral part of the ownership experience."

Across D‑Marin's Mediterranean and Gulf locations, demand for hospitality-led environments has grown measurably; curated events, premium retail, concierge-level service, and thoughtfully designed social spaces. D-Marin guests consistently report that it isn't just the quality of the facilities that keeps them returning; it's the level of care and hospitality that surrounds them from the moment they arrive.

Modern owners now expect the atmosphere and service standards of a five‑star resort delivered dockside: concierge assistance, premium dining, wellness facilities, and community-oriented social environments. These are no longer differentiators. They are the baseline.

A new model of marina

Digital fluency has become equally non-negotiable. Today's ownership demographic manages everything through their phones, and they expect their marina to meet them there. D‑Marin's app allows customers to manage berth bookings and renewals, coordinate services, and access complimentary smart sensors for real-time vessel monitoring. The continued growth in adoption across the portfolio reflects a customer base that measures quality not just by facilities, but by how effortlessly everything works.

"Ten years ago, certain administrative delays were accepted as part of marina life," Smith notes. "Today, they're a reason to move elsewhere. Speed and simplicity matter."

Environmental responsibility is accelerating alongside digital demand. Nearly one‑third of new superyacht builds now include hybrid or electric propulsion systems, a clear signal that the next generation of owners expects luxury and sustainability to coexist, and that marinas must be equipped to support both.

Adapt or get left behind

With the global yacht market valued at more than $10 billion and expanding rapidly as new wealth enters the sector, the pressure on marina operators to evolve has never been greater. Since 2023, D‑Marin has added ten new marinas and entered new markets including Spain, Malta, and Albania, growth driven not just by geography, but by the conviction that consistent, premium standards can and should be delivered across an entire network.

"Growth isn't simply about adding locations," Smith says. "It's about building an interconnected network that delivers consistent standards, whether an owner is in the Adriatic, the Balearics, or the Eastern Mediterranean, that consistency is what builds trust - and trust is what builds loyalty."

The marinas that will define the next decade are those willing to embrace a fundamentally new model, one that integrates luxury hospitality, digital innovation, sustainability, and the heavy-duty infrastructure demanded by the world's largest yachts. Those that treat these shifts as optional upgrades risk losing a customer base that has already raised the bar.

Because today's boater and superyacht owners aren't just looking for a berth - they're looking for an experience worthy of the life they've chosen.