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The ruling handed down on June 17, 2026, by the Nanterre Commercial Court brings an end to the operations of DB Brokerage, the company that operates the My Bateau brand. Following a period of court-supervised restructuring that began in May 2026, the company is now entering judicial liquidation, less than two years after its launch in September 2024.
A network that is ceasing operations
My Bateau had developed a network of nine branches located in the Mediterranean and along the Atlantic coast, with the goal of establishing a nationwide used boat brokerage service.
Over the past few months, business has gradually come to a halt. Several branches have closed, and the leased IT equipment has been reclaimed by the service provider. The remaining employees had been facing difficulties in receiving their pay for several months.
The project was based on a rapid growth strategy, involving the simultaneous opening of several branches and significant financing needs to support this expansion.
According to several reports published during the proceedings, the investors who were supposed to support the network's development ultimately failed to provide the expected funding. The lack of new financial resources quickly reduced the company's operational capacity.
The demise of My Bateau does not call into question the potential of the used boat market, which remains buoyed by fleet renewal and demand for secondhand boats. It does, however, highlight the challenges that rapid growth can face when it relies on significant investments before reaching economic equilibrium.
Consolidation of the existing yacht brokerage business
The liquidation of DB Brokerage comes at a time when several players in the boating industry are reevaluating their business models. For industry professionals, this decision underscores the importance of having a financial structure that is aligned with the market?s actual pace.
The used boat sector continues to offer business opportunities, but expansion strategies will need to continue to navigate a cyclical market, margins that are sometimes limited, and a strong need to maintain close ties with both boaters and professional sellers.
This liquidation also highlights the resilience of the network of independent brokers already established in the region. Consisting primarily of local firms, these professionals draw on in-depth knowledge of their operating area, close relationships with sellers and buyers, and generally better-controlled operating costs. While each company continues to face fluctuations in the used boat market, this traditional model continues to demonstrate its ability to weather economic cycles by prioritizing gradual growth rather than rapid expansion reliant on external financing. This stability partly explains the prominent role these long-standing players still play in the French yacht brokerage landscape.
