Yachts 101: Understanding Yachts  

With so many types of yachts to choose from, it can be challenging to know your Daybridges from your Expeditions. To make it even more overwhelming, many terms used to describe the different types of yachts are used interchangeably.   

If you are in the market for a yacht or want to learn more about yachts, the crew at Yachts for Sale has compiled a yachts 101 guide to help. Keep reading for a guide to understanding yachts and the different terms used to describe them.  

The definition of a yacht.  

The first step in yachts 101 is clearly identifying what a yacht is, and that may be harder than you think! According to Princess Motor Yachts, “a yacht is a craft used for pleasure and sport. The name comes from the Dutch word jaght, which translates as ‘hunter,’ a fast, light sailing vessel used in the past by the nation’s navy to chase pirates.”  

There really is no true definition of what makes a yacht a yacht. Still, most boaters consider a yacht to be any vessel used strictly for recreational or pleasure purposes like cruising, entertaining, water sports, fishing, or year-round accommodations.  

Most people classify yachts as ranging from 40-70 feet with accommodations such as heads below deck for overnight stays and a galley. Yachts are typically classified by other things, including their mode of propulsion, size, style, amenities, and function.  

Types of yachts.  

To understand yachts and their definition, you must know the different types of yachts. Understanding these watercrafts may feel daunting but knowing the basic types is a step in the right direction.   

      • Motor Yacht – One of the most popular yachts propelled with one or more motors.  

      • Sailing Yacht – Experience the win with a sailing yacht mainly propelled by wind and sails.  

      • Gulet Yacht – A hybrid yacht with motors and sails.   

      • Open Yacht – Also known as a Cruiser, Cabin Cruiser, or Express Cruiser, and are standard yachts for cruising and entertaining  

      • Sports Yacht – A yacht geared towards water sports and fishing. Typically cruises with a sleek design and more powerful motor for faster speeds.  

        • Luxury Yacht – A yacht that includes high-end features and finishes. Comes with the latest in modern performance technology.   

        • Catamaran Yacht – A yacht with two hulls often made of fiberglass that can be used in shallow waters.  

      Yacht sizes.  

      Another crucial yachts 101 point is to know that yachts can further be defined by their size. They can be superyachts or megayachts, depending on their footage. Superyachts are typically 24 meters (78 feet) and above, while Megayachts generally are over 80 meters (260 feet).  

      Most motor yachts on the market are typically 24 meters (78 feet) or less. There are only a handful of megayachts worldwide due to their extravagant price tag and many needs.  

      [Want to learn more about yachts? Read these five yacht buying FAQs!]

      Yacht style categories.  

      Yachts can further be grouped according to their form and function. Another step in yacht education is knowing the different styles. There are so many types of yachts that many fall into several different categories simultaneously.  

          • Classic – As its name suggests, a classic is a yacht built between the 1920s and 1970s.  

          • Sedan – A popular yacht style with deck space above the hull and living quarters below. The living quarters of a sedan yacht are enclosed and single-level.  

          • Flybridge – A sedan-style yacht with an open deck and more comfortable living space above the main bridge of a vessel.  

          • Daybridge – A multi-level yacht that is even more open than a flybridge.   

            • Downeast Style – A low-profile yacht with a large working cockpit and small helm station.   

            • Pilothouse – A multi-deck yacht like a flybridge with a larger interior main deck.  

            • Convertible – A yacht combining features of a standard motor yacht with a sportfish yacht to have entertaining and fishing space when needed.  

            • SUV – A yacht combining features of a standard motor and a sport yacht.  

            • Tri-Decks – A superyacht with three levels of staggered, enclosed living space.  

              • Expedition Yachts – A large yacht with a deeper displacement hull for more stability and comfort during longer-range trips.  

            Whether you are looking for a standard yacht or a super yacht, a Flybridge, or a Classic, our Yachts for Sale yachts 101 has you covered! Our expert yacht brokers strive to assist our clients in understanding the yacht market.   

            With years of experience in the boating industry, we have the expertise, the inventory, and the brokers to help you find the best yacht. 

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