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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Yacht (disambiguation).
A yacht (/jɒt/) is a sailing or power vessel used 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]
Etymology[edit]
A yachts are fit for conditions that exceed wind force 8—40 knots (21 m/s)—
and 13-foot (4 m) maximum wave heights, encountered in ocean passages
and extended voyages.
B yachts are fit for conditions that are less than wind force 8—40 knots
(21 m/s)—and 13-foot (4 m) maximum wave heights, encountered in ocean
passages and extended voyages.
C yachts are fit for wind force 6—27 knots (14 m/s)—and 6.6-foot (2 m)
maximum wave heights, encountered in exposed coastal waters, bays inlets,
lakes and rivers.
D yachts are fit for wind force 4—16 knots (8.2 m/s)—and 1.6-foot (0.5 m)
maximum wave heights, encountered in sheltered coastal waters, bays inlets,
lakes and rivers.
The Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2) of Great Britain and its dominions defines
a large yacht as one that is 24 metres (79 ft) or more at the waterline and is in
commercial use for sport or pleasure, while not carrying cargo or more than 12
passengers and carrying a professional crew. The code regulates the equipping of such
vessels, both at sea and in port—including such matters as crew duty times and the
presence of a helicopter on board. The code has different levels of standard for vessels
above and below 500 gross tons.[20] Such yachts may be considered superyachts and
are more commonly at 40 metres (130 ft) or more in length.[21] Other countries have
standards similar to LY2.[6]
Whereas commercial large yachts may carry no more than 12
passengers, private yachts are solely for the pleasure of the owner and guests do not
carry the passenger restriction. Yachts may be identified by flag—the country under
which a yacht is registered.[6] An industry publication categorizes superyachts by size,
[22]
by speed,[23] as "explorer" yachts,[24] as sailing yachts,[25] and classic yachts.[26]
Construction[edit]
Originally, all yachts were made of wood, using a wooden keel and ribs, clad with
planks. These materials were supplanted with iron or steel in steam yachts.[12] In the
1960s fiberglass became a prevalent material. These materials and others continue in
use.[27] Whereas yachts of 79 feet (24 m) and below may be constructed of fiberglass,
larger yachts are more likely to be constructed of steel, aluminum or composite fiber-
reinforced plastic.[28]
Small yachts are typically shorter than 33 feet (10 m) length overall.[36] Trailer
sailers that are readily towed by a car are generally shorter than 25 feet
(7.6 m) length overall and weigh less than 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg).[34]
Near-shore yachts typically range in size from 33–45 feet (10–14 m) length
overall.[5]
Offshore yachts typically exceed 45 feet (14 m) length overall.[36]
Design[edit]
Cruising catamaran in 2012
Seaworthiness addresses the integrity of the vessel and its ability to stay
afloat and shelter its crew in the conditions encountered.
Performance hinges on a number of factors, including the waterline length
(longer means faster), drag in the water (narrower hull with smooth
appendages), hull shape, and sail shape and area.
Sea kindliness is an indicator of steering ease, directional stability and
quelling of motion induced by wind and waves.
Multihulls offer tradeoffs as cruising sailboats, compared with monohulls. They may be
catamarans or trimarans. They rely on form stability—having separate hulls far apart—
for their resistance to capsize.[33] Their advantages include greater: stability, speed, (for
catamarans) living space, and shallower draft. Their drawbacks include: greater
expenses, greater windage, more difficult tacking under sail, less load capacity, and
more maneuvering room required because of their broad beam. They come with a
variety of sleeping accommodations and (for catamarans) bridge-deck configurations.[37]
Rigs[edit]
Gaff rigs have been uncommon in the construction of cruising boats, since the mid 20th
century. More common rigs are Bermuda, fractional, cutter, and ketch. Occasionally
employed rigs since then have been the yawl, schooner, wishbone, catboat.[27]
Gear[edit]
Sailboats employ standing rigging to support the rig, running rigging to raise and adjust
sails, cleats to secure lines, winches to work the sheets, and more than one anchor to
secure the boat in harbor. A cruising yacht's deck usually has safety line to protect the
crew from falling overboard and a bow pulpit to facilitate handling the jib and the anchor.
In temperate climates, the cockpit may have a canvas windshield with see-through
panels, called a "dodger". Steering may be either by tiller or wheel.[27]
Engine[edit]
Cruising yachts have an auxiliary propulsion power unit to supplement the use of sails.
Such power is inboard on the vessel and diesel, except for the smallest cruising boats,
which may have an outboard gasoline motor. A 31-foot (9.4 m) sailboat might have a
13-horsepower (9.7 kW) engine,[38] whereas a 55-foot (17 m) sailboat might have a 110-
horsepower (82 kW) engine.[39]
Racing[edit]
Full-displacement hulls move the water up and out of the way of the vessel,
making a wave. They are limited in speed by the square root of the waterline
length multiplied by a factor, depending on the units used. Added horsepower
cannot increase the maximum speed, only the size of the waves produced.
Semi-displacement hulls allow speeds that are faster than the hull speed of a
displacement vessel because they rise somewhat out of the water and create
smaller waves. They also provide greater comfort than planing hulls.
Planing hulls require sufficient power for the boat to slide up onto the surface,
which avoids the need to use power to lift water out of the way of the vessel.
Such vessels have flat surfaces on the undersides.
A typical semi-displacement yacht has a wedge-shaped bow, which promotes
penetrating waves, that transitions to flatter, wider surfaces aft, which promotes lifting
the vessel out of the water—the "deep vee" hull, designed by Ray Hunt, found in
approximately 75% of modern power boats.[47]
Cruising motor yachts are available in a range of styles as two-engine catamarans,
ranging in length from 40–150 feet (12–46 m) with top speeds ranging from 20–60 knots
(37–111 km/h).[48]
Engines[edit]
260-horsepower (190 kW) diesel marine engine
Motor yachts typically have one or more diesel engines. Gasoline-powered motors and
engines are the provenance of outboard motors and racing boats, due to their power-to-
weight ratios.[45] Two engines add expense, but provide reliability and maneuverability
over a single engine.[49]
Motor yachts in the 42-foot (13 m) range might have the following hull, horsepower,
cruise speed, and hourly fuel consumption characteristics: