Yacht

A 45-foot cruising yacht in 2010
The superyacht Azzam, the longest private yacht, as of 2018.[1]

A yacht (/jɒt/) is a sail- or motor-propelled watercraft made for pleasure, cruising, or racing.[2][3][4] There is no standard definition, though the term generally applies to vessels with a cabin intended for overnight use. To be termed a yacht, as opposed to a boat, such a pleasure vessel is likely to be at least 33 feet (10 m) in length and may have been judged to have good aesthetic qualities.[1]

The Commercial Yacht Code classifies yachts 79 ft (24 m) and over as large.[5] Such yachts typically require a hired crew[1] and have higher construction standards.[5] Further classifications for large yachts are commercial: carrying no more than 12 passengers; private: solely for the pleasure of the owner and guests, or by flag, the country under which it is registered.[6] A superyacht (sometimes megayacht) generally refers to any yacht (sail or power) longer than 131 ft (40 m).[7]

Racing yachts are designed to emphasize performance over comfort.[8] Charter yachts are run as a business for profit.[7] As of 2020, there were more than 15,000 yachts of sufficient size to require a professional crew.[9]

  1. ^ a b c Kavin, Kim (June 4, 2018). "When is a Boat Also a Yacht? - boats.com". www.boats.com. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
  2. ^ "Definition of YACHT". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2018-04-15. any of various recreational watercraft: such as a) a sailboat used for racing b) a large usually motor-driven craft used for pleasure cruising
  3. ^ "YACHT | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary". dictionary.cambridge.org. Retrieved 2020-04-19. a boat with sails and sometimes an engine, used for either racing or traveling on for pleasure
  4. ^ "Yacht definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary". www.collinsdictionary.com. Retrieved 2020-04-19. a large boat with sails or a motor, used for racing or pleasure trips
  5. ^ a b Coles, Richard; Lorenzon, Filippo (2013-07-31). Law of Yachts & Yachting. CRC Press. ISBN 9781317995791.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Perry, Julie (August 2013). Insiders' guide to becoming a yacht stewardess: confessions from my years afloat with the rich and famous (Second ed.). New York. ISBN 978-1-61448-786-9. OCLC 859781233.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ Watson, G. L. (2013). The Evolution Of Modern Yacht Racing In 1894. Read Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1447484196.
  9. ^ Perry, Julie (August 2013). Insiders' guide to becoming a yacht stewardess : confessions from my years afloat with the rich and famous (Second ed.). New York. ISBN 978-1-61448-786-9. OCLC 859781233.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)