Boat International Media
Boat International Media is a London-based luxury publishing and events company focused on the global superyacht industry.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Boat International Media is a specialist luxury-lifestyle publishing company based in Wimbledon, London. Its business is centered on superyachts, yacht ownership, yacht design, chartering, crew, and the wider commercial ecosystem surrounding the large-yacht market. The company combines editorial publishing, digital media, market intelligence, annual reference books, awards, conferences, and owner- and industry-focused events. Its principal editorial title is Boat International, an English-language monthly magazine aimed at affluent yacht owners, prospective owners, industry professionals, and readers interested in luxury travel and maritime design. The magazine began in 1983 as a senior publication in the superyachting field and is distributed internationally, with reference material describing circulation across 55 countries. In 2014, it was relaunched under the Boat International name with a broader lifestyle orientation while retaining its core superyacht coverage. The company’s North American title, Boat International US Edition, originated in 1988 as ShowBoats International. It is published 11 times a year from a base in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and serves the North American market. Boat International Media also publishes Dockwalk, a magazine launched in 1998 for superyacht captains and crew. A licensed Turkish edition, Boat International Turkey, was introduced in 2016. Beyond magazines, the company produces recurring reference publications and market information. The Superyachts, first published in 1987, is an annual hardback volume presented at the Monaco Yacht Show and documents notable superyachts launched during the preceding year. Charterfleet, first published in 1992, presents yachts available for charter. The company also publishes the annual Top 101 ranking of the world’s largest superyachts and the Global Order Book, a snapshot of the superyacht market. In 2018, it added Superyacht Interiors, focused on yacht interiors, designers, and specialist suppliers, as well as the 12/24 and Life Under Sail supplements. Digital and data products extend the company beyond conventional publishing. Its websites include boatinternational.com and dockwalk.com. In 2018, it launched Boat Pro, a paid subscription data service designed to provide live information about the superyacht market. The Owners’ Club, established in October 2014, operates as an owner-oriented newsletter and event program with activities in major yachting locations. Boat International Media also operates a substantial events and awards portfolio. The World Superyacht Awards recognizes leading yachts from the previous year and uses a judging panel made up of owners and industry figures. The Superyacht Design Festival, originally launched in 2008, brings together designers, builders, and owners, while the Superyacht Design Symposium hosts the Design & Innovation Awards for achievements in styling, naval architecture, technology, and innovation. Other initiatives include the Young Designer of the Year competition, the Ocean Awards, and Ocean Talks. The latter two programs broaden the company’s remit into ocean conservation, sustainability, science, and public engagement. The available reference material does not identify a founder, owner, parent company, financial results, or listing status.
History
Boat International Media developed around specialist publishing for the superyacht sector. Its best-known magazine, Boat International, was launched in 1983 as a senior English-language title serving the international superyachting community. From the beginning, the publication occupied a specialist position between luxury lifestyle media and trade journalism, covering yachts, ownership, design, shipyards, chartering, destinations, and the people and businesses involved in the sector. The company expanded its North American reach in 1988 through ShowBoats International, which later became Boat International US Edition. Published from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the title was designed for the North American market and became a regular 11-issue publication. In 1992, the company added Charterfleet, an annual reference work focused on superyachts available for charter. Dockwalk followed in 1998, targeting captains and crew rather than principally owners or luxury-lifestyle readers. These publications gave Boat International Media coverage across several important audiences in the yacht ecosystem. The company also built an annual-book and market-reference business. The Superyachts, first published in 1987, became a coffee-table-style annual documenting notable launches from the preceding year and is released around the Monaco Yacht Show. Boat International’s January issues include the Top 101 ranking of the world’s largest superyachts and the Global Order Book, which tracks the state of the superyacht market. These products strengthened the company’s role as both a premium publisher and an information source for industry participants. A major editorial repositioning took place in 2014, when the main magazine was relaunched with the Boat International title and a stronger lifestyle component aimed at affluent audiences. The company continued to develop international editions, including Boat International Turkey, a licensed Turkish-language edition launched in 2016. Its digital presence includes the Boat International and Dockwalk websites, allowing the company to distribute editorial, yacht information, event coverage, and industry material beyond print. Events became an increasingly important part of the business. The World Superyacht Awards recognizes yachts launched or completed during the preceding year and uses owner and industry panels in its judging process. The Superyacht Design Festival, launched in 2008, created a recurring gathering for designers, builders, and owners. The related Superyacht Design Symposium and Design & Innovation Awards focus on yacht styling, naval architecture, technology, and innovation. The Young Designer of the Year competition extends this activity into professional development and recognition of emerging talent. Boat International Media also developed initiatives addressing ownership, data, and ocean stewardship. The Owners’ Club was founded in October 2014 as an owner-focused newsletter and events program. In 2015, the Ocean Awards began recognizing people, organizations, and projects contributing to marine conservation, sustainable resource management, and public engagement with oceans. In 2018, the company launched Ocean Talks, a forum bringing activists, researchers, and superyacht-industry participants together. That year also saw the introduction of Boat Pro, a paid data service intended to provide live superyacht-market information, along with the 12/24 and Life Under Sail supplements and Superyacht Interiors. The available sources describe these products and activities but do not establish the company’s founder, ownership structure, financial performance, or later corporate changes.
- 2018
Boat Pro and new editorial products launched
[1]The company launched Boat Pro, Superyacht Interiors, 12/24, and Life Under Sail, and introduced Ocean Talks.
- 2016
Boat International Turkey launched
[1]A licensed Turkish-language edition was introduced.
- 2015
Ocean Awards launched
[1]The awards program began recognizing contributions to ocean health, sustainable marine-resource management, and public engagement.
- 2014
Boat International magazine relaunched
[1]The principal title was relaunched with a broader luxury-lifestyle emphasis.
- 2014
The Owners’ Club founded
[1]The company established an owner-focused newsletter and international events program.
- 2008
Superyacht Design Festival launched
[1]Boat International Media established an annual design-focused event for yacht designers, builders, and owners.
- 1998
Dockwalk launched
[1]The company introduced a magazine aimed at superyacht captains and crew worldwide.
- 1992
Charterfleet first published
[1]The company added an annual reference publication focused on superyacht charter opportunities.
- 1988
ShowBoats International launched
[1]The North American publication that later became Boat International US Edition was introduced.
- 1987
The Superyachts annual introduced
[1]The company began publishing its annual hardback compendium of notable superyacht launches.
Products and positioning
A specialist international media and events platform for the superyacht and luxury maritime sector, combining premium editorial content with industry intelligence, awards, networking, and ocean-focused initiatives.
Magazine · 1983
Boat International
The company’s principal monthly English-language superyacht magazine. It combines reporting on yachts, design, shipyards, ownership, charter, destinations, and the luxury lifestyle, and is distributed internationally.
Magazine · 1988
Boat International US Edition
The North American edition of the company’s flagship magazine. It originated in 1988 as ShowBoats International and is published 11 times a year from Fort Lauderdale, serving readers and businesses across North America.
Magazine · 1998
Dockwalk
A specialist publication for superyacht captains and crew. Its editorial focus reflects the operational, professional, and lifestyle concerns of people working aboard large yachts.
Annual book · 1987
The Superyachts
An annual hardback, coffee-table-style compendium featuring notable superyachts launched during the preceding year. It is released in connection with the Monaco Yacht Show.
Annual reference publication · 1992
Charterfleet
An annual publication presenting superyachts available for charter in destinations around the world.
Market data service · 2018
Boat Pro
A paid subscription data service introduced to provide live information and intelligence about the superyacht market.
Editorial supplement · 2018
Superyacht Interiors
A publication focused on superyacht interiors, including interviews with designers and coverage of companies supplying the interiors sector.
Editorial supplement · 2018
12/24
A supplement covering yachts between 12 and 24 metres in length.
Editorial supplement · 2018
Life Under Sail
A supplement centered on sailing culture and the sailing lifestyle.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Ocean Talks
United Kingdom
A day of presentations and networking that brought together activists, scientists, and superyacht-community participants to discuss ocean issues.
Outcome. Expanded the company’s ocean-focused activity from recognition into live discussion and professional networking.
- 2015Ocean Awards
International
An awards initiative recognizing individuals, community groups, organizations, and businesses contributing to ocean protection, sustainable marine-resource management, or public engagement with oceans and seas.
Outcome. Created a recurring platform connecting the company’s superyacht audience with marine conservation and sustainability work.
Brand decisions
2018
Introduce a subscription market-data serviceProduct launchBackground
The company’s publishing and market-reference activities created an opportunity to commercialize timely information for superyacht professionals.
Action taken
Boat Pro was launched as a paid service intended to provide live superyacht-market data.
Aftermath
The move extended Boat International Media into subscription-based business intelligence.
2018
Expand specialist editorial productsProduct launchBackground
The company served several distinct segments of the yachting market, including owners, sailing enthusiasts, and the mid-size yacht category.
Action taken
It introduced the 12/24 and Life Under Sail supplements, together with Superyacht Interiors.
Aftermath
The additions broadened the company’s coverage of yacht size categories, sailing lifestyles, and design-related suppliers.
2014
Broaden the flagship magazine into luxury lifestyle coverageStrategyBackground
The company’s main magazine had established a position in specialist superyacht publishing but sought to address an affluent audience with interests extending beyond yachts themselves.
Action taken
Boat International was relaunched under the same title with additional lifestyle content while retaining superyacht editorial coverage.
Aftermath
The relaunch positioned the title as both a specialist yachting publication and a broader luxury-lifestyle magazine.
Recent events
- 2018
Boat Pro data service launched[1]
Product launch
Boat International Media introduced Boat Pro, a paid subscription service intended to provide live market data for the superyacht industry.
- 2018
New editorial supplements introduced[1]
Product launch
The company launched 12/24, focused on yachts between 12 and 24 metres, and Life Under Sail, centered on sailing culture and lifestyle.
- 2018
Superyacht Interiors introduced[1]
Product launch
Boat International Media added an editorial publication covering superyacht interiors, designers, and companies serving the interiors sector.
- 2018
Ocean Talks launched[1]
Campaign · Product launch
The company introduced Ocean Talks as a presentation and networking forum connecting ocean activists, scientists, and members of the superyacht community.
- 2014
Boat International magazine relaunched under the Boat International name[1]
Product generation
The company relaunched its principal magazine with the Boat International title and increased its emphasis on luxury lifestyle content alongside established superyacht coverage.
Sources2 sources
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