Simply Yachts 101

Yacht's, recreational boats are incredibly popular.to operate in shallow waters, clever use of space
Typically coming in two forms- sailing or powerallows for a cabin, bedroom for up to three people
yachts, there is a vast array of yacht's on theand kitchen area on these yachts.
market. In recent years yachts have increased inNext is cruising yachts, very common and popular for
luxury and when people speak of yacht's the typeprivate use and can be very complex in design.
people tend to think about is racing or cruisingThese are often family vessels with many cabins
yachts, as opposed to the sailing types.below deck and can be quite spacious. These yachts
Starting in length at 32 feet, their height can reachare capable of taking a relatively few people long
hundreds of feet high. A super yacht refers to onedistances, many thousands of miles in fact.
or 200 feet, or 70 metres. However for a boat, thisLuxury sailing boats are normally 82 feet or longer.
height is small in comparison to cruise liners and otherThese combine basic accommodation with amenities
large boats.and luxury! Particularly on the larger boats. The
Yacht's were originally dutch sailing vessels in pursuitlargest of these types are often heavily automated
of pirates! It was when Charles II chose a yacht asand involve little work, for instance
his transport for his return to England from thecomputer-controlled electric winches controlling the
Netherlands it became more widely used insails, amongst other facilities.
transporting important people in this perios.Racing yachts are the last of this type, they work
Progressing from this, it was used to describedby trying to reduce the wetted surface area, which
various vessels for people or cargo, powered by sailsthen creates drag, keeping the hull light whilst having
or engines and use for a variety of purposes.a heavy keel, tending to have a wide beam and a
Until the last half of the 21st century, most yachtsflat bottom, to provide buoyancy. In extreme
were made of wood or steel, but this has changedconditions these can go at a speed of up to 35
and now a wide range of materials are used. Mostknots!
often it is fiberglass, then steel or aluminum amongstMotor yachts come in the following types;
others. More modern products such as plywood areDay cruiser yacht (no cabin, sparse facilities),
also often utilized in yacht's. wood is mainly generallyWeekender yacht (basic cabins and appliances)
relied on for small and personal yachts one wouldCruising yacht (sufficient for aboard living for long
construct as a hobby.periods)
It is useful to distinguish between some of theSport Fish yacht (living amenities and fishing
different types of yachts that exist;equipment)
Firstly, sailing yachts come in different forms-Luxury yacht (very luxurious, spacious and livable
Day sailing- these tend not to have a cabin, as theypermanently
are designed for hourly or daily use and not forSuch yachts have either one or two combustion
overnight journeysengines which burn diesel.
The next size up is weekender yachts which are able