PUNTA GORDA, Fla., Aug. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new survey from Megayacht News reveals accessibility is becoming a priority for superyacht buyers and charterers, while also pointing to barriers at international boat shows. The study is the first to quantify how often clients request accessibility features aboard yachts and to evaluate how well shows currently accommodate guests with disabilities.
Accessibility is Becoming a Priority in Superyacht Ownership
When people think of superyachts, the focus is often on luxury, lifestyle, and cutting-edge design. But one area gaining attention in recent years is accessibility — and for good reason.
Middle-aged and older adults make up a large share of yacht buyers, and many face mobility challenges. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that 20 to 25 percent of adults ages 45 and older live with a mobility disability worldwide.
This reality is already shaping the industry. A recent survey found that 78 percent of superyacht builders, designers, and brokers have worked with clients who have disabilities or family members with disabilities in the past five years. Even more telling, 65 percent have directly overseen accessibility-focused projects, ensuring clients received yachts tailored to their needs.
So what kinds of features are most in demand? The survey highlights a clear pattern:
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Elevators – requested by 79% of clients
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Wider doorways and passageways – 68%
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Wheelchair-suitable gangways – 65%
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Lower countertops and larger showers – 53%
Monaco Yacht Show
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Accessibility Challenges at Boat Shows
While accessibility aboard yachts is becoming a stronger focus, boat shows themselves still present hurdles for many clients. According to the survey, only 32 percent of accessibility-related conversations with clients take place at these events. The reason? Nearly half of respondents (42 percent) said their customers find boat shows physically difficult to navigate.
The obstacles are familiar: docks that don’t accommodate wheelchairs, inaccessible tenders, and limited on-site transportation options. One participant — a parent of a wheelchair-using daughter — put it bluntly: “What able-bodied people think is accessible and safe for disabled people is often far from it.” Examples included ramps that don’t meet docks evenly and the challenges of maneuvering through crowded walkways.
Practical Solutions on the Horizon
Encouragingly, industry professionals identified several steps that could make boat shows far more inclusive without sacrificing the guest experience. Among the most frequently mentioned were:
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Reserved golf carts for disabled attendees (72%)
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Disabled-accessible restrooms (68%)
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Wider, more stable docks (56%)
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Disabled-accessible tenders (54%)
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Additional seating throughout show areas (54%)
Moving Toward Solutions
The survey didn’t just spotlight the challenges — it also asked industry professionals to weigh in on what would make the biggest difference. Their top recommendations included:
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Reserved golf carts for disabled attendees (72%)
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Disabled-accessible restrooms (68%)
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Wider, more stable docks (56%)
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Disabled-accessible tenders (54%)
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Additional seating throughout show areas (54%)
Taken together, these suggestions highlight both the practicality and importance of improving accessibility at yacht shows.
As Diane M. Byrne, editor of Megayacht News, explains: “These findings provide the first measurable proof that accessibility holds sway in yacht buying and the overall yachting experience. They also show that clients and their families are raising these issues with regularity, so addressing their needs is not just the right thing to do, it’s imperative.”
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Media Contact:
Diane M. Byrne
Editor
Megayacht News
400347@email4pr.com
(973) 890-2320
www.megayachtnews.com
SOURCE Megayacht News