I was asked the other day what is the difference between a sailboat and a yacht, was it a matter of size, amenities or price? Anyone know when a sailboat becomes a yacht?
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Well, I think it goes like this.....
If the person that is about to step aboard has never been on a boat or has never been on anything larger than an open type day sailor, then when they step up to your boat... it looks like a yacht, and when you are buying her, the salesman is likely to refer to her as a yacht right before giving you the bottom line price... just to prepare you for the shock... but other than that.. I call mine a sailboat and anyone that wants to can stroke my ego and call her a yacht!
If the person that is about to step aboard has never been on a boat or has never been on anything larger than an open type day sailor, then when they step up to your boat... it looks like a yacht, and when you are buying her, the salesman is likely to refer to her as a yacht right before giving you the bottom line price... just to prepare you for the shock... but other than that.. I call mine a sailboat and anyone that wants to can stroke my ego and call her a yacht!
40 feet?
Chapman's pegs the line at 40 feet LOA, but hems and haws about it. Obviously, it's arbitrary. Also, a yacht is supposed to have living amenities (a galley, head and berths) and must be primarily for pleasure or sport, not a "working boat." Paul sv Escape Artist
Chapman's pegs the line at 40 feet LOA, but hems and haws about it. Obviously, it's arbitrary. Also, a yacht is supposed to have living amenities (a galley, head and berths) and must be primarily for pleasure or sport, not a "working boat." Paul sv Escape Artist
Long ago and far away...
where I grew up (that is New Zealand), all sailboats were yachts - even the little ones such as the 8ft P-class - and sailors were all "yachties". I don't know what large, luxury power boats were called because we never saw them! Things may have changed. Derek
where I grew up (that is New Zealand), all sailboats were yachts - even the little ones such as the 8ft P-class - and sailors were all "yachties". I don't know what large, luxury power boats were called because we never saw them! Things may have changed. Derek
I asked this on Sailnet
The responses were varried and interesting. The gist seems to be that any pleasure boat can be considered a 'yacht'. Personally, I think a yacht is: too big to be trailered, has a head, galley and berths, and is primarily used for pleasure. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
The responses were varried and interesting. The gist seems to be that any pleasure boat can be considered a 'yacht'. Personally, I think a yacht is: too big to be trailered, has a head, galley and berths, and is primarily used for pleasure. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
I agree with Ed
My hunch is that sailboats become yachts (1) in bars, and (2) when striking up conversations with attractive women.
My hunch is that sailboats become yachts (1) in bars, and (2) when striking up conversations with attractive women.
Thats a Yacht of a question?
I always heard 40 feet was the magic number! However even trailer sailors like myself have a galley, head and berths! I don't consider my sailboat a yacht, at 22 feet!
I always heard 40 feet was the magic number! However even trailer sailors like myself have a galley, head and berths! I don't consider my sailboat a yacht, at 22 feet!
Yachts need yachties aboard.
I haven't though about MOST sailboats being Yachts. My impression of most yachts are the types that have "Ladies & Gentlemen" aboard with blazers, white pants or dresses etc. I don't seem to see a lot of this aboard sailboats! But I guess if we want to call our Hunters, Catalinas, Bennies and such, yachts, then we should.
I haven't though about MOST sailboats being Yachts. My impression of most yachts are the types that have "Ladies & Gentlemen" aboard with blazers, white pants or dresses etc. I don't seem to see a lot of this aboard sailboats! But I guess if we want to call our Hunters, Catalinas, Bennies and such, yachts, then we should.
Yacht--from source
I looked up the word "yacht" and the explanation offered was that it came from the Dutch word "jacht" meaning "to chase" If this it true, it seems to fit. I have never seen a situation where there was another boat in sight that we felt we couldn't out point,overtake, or out perform in some way. Just watch as he hardens his sails, trims for speed or throws up a chute and the message is clear. We use the standard line that we race only with the expection to finish ------first! I like Phil's comment, ya wouldn't believe how big and how fast a Catalina 27 could be in a bar--not to mention the tornados and gale force winds that have been encountered. When comes to small craft warnings, have you ever heard anyone say "I have a small craft???"
I looked up the word "yacht" and the explanation offered was that it came from the Dutch word "jacht" meaning "to chase" If this it true, it seems to fit. I have never seen a situation where there was another boat in sight that we felt we couldn't out point,overtake, or out perform in some way. Just watch as he hardens his sails, trims for speed or throws up a chute and the message is clear. We use the standard line that we race only with the expection to finish ------first! I like Phil's comment, ya wouldn't believe how big and how fast a Catalina 27 could be in a bar--not to mention the tornados and gale force winds that have been encountered. When comes to small craft warnings, have you ever heard anyone say "I have a small craft???"
This works for me...
From dictionary.com: yacht Pronunciation Key (yät) n. Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels, generally with smart graceful lines, used for pleasure cruises or racing.
From dictionary.com: yacht Pronunciation Key (yät) n. Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels, generally with smart graceful lines, used for pleasure cruises or racing.
To yacht or not
A yacht is any craft, power or sail, of any size, that is used strictly for pleasure and not for commercial purposes.
A yacht is any craft, power or sail, of any size, that is used strictly for pleasure and not for commercial purposes.
In that case, my dinghy is a yacht!
I must rich to be able to carry a yacht on my yacht. ;^) ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
I must rich to be able to carry a yacht on my yacht. ;^) ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
size of the cockpit?
How big may be something that we discuss in bars, but I definately feel like I'm on a boat approacing a "Yacht" when all on board can sit facing each other and there isn't a mad scramble for the upwind rail. Or when you can set up the table in the cockpit for lunch, or when folks can go up on deck to sleep/read/snooze while under way. and someday I'll own one of those........if the admiral agrees
Geof s/v Day-O
How big may be something that we discuss in bars, but I definately feel like I'm on a boat approacing a "Yacht" when all on board can sit facing each other and there isn't a mad scramble for the upwind rail. Or when you can set up the table in the cockpit for lunch, or when folks can go up on deck to sleep/read/snooze while under way. and someday I'll own one of those........if the admiral agrees
Geof s/v Day-OWhat have I got?
Have I got a yacht? It costs alot... Looks pretty hot... Goes like a shot... Got a cooking pot... Got a peeing pot... Measures speed by the knot... It has berths, not a cot... Rum and gin it has got... So is it a yacht? I think Phil hit the spot! Cheers, Bob
Have I got a yacht? It costs alot... Looks pretty hot... Goes like a shot... Got a cooking pot... Got a peeing pot... Measures speed by the knot... It has berths, not a cot... Rum and gin it has got... So is it a yacht? I think Phil hit the spot! Cheers, Bob
Down Under....
Adding to my pevious post (and Gary's note), down in the land of the Kiwi, yachts (read sailboats) were/are further divided into "centre-boarders" (note spelling) and "keelers". So in fact, most of us don't have sailboats after all - we have keelers sitting at the dock or on a mooring. I dislike that word intensely. I'm heading for my "sailboat" first thing tomorrow! Derek
Adding to my pevious post (and Gary's note), down in the land of the Kiwi, yachts (read sailboats) were/are further divided into "centre-boarders" (note spelling) and "keelers". So in fact, most of us don't have sailboats after all - we have keelers sitting at the dock or on a mooring. I dislike that word intensely. I'm heading for my "sailboat" first thing tomorrow! Derek
Dad Says, "My Son's Yacht . . ."
Yacht is a perfectly good nautical word we don't use (in the USA) because it's been corrupted by non-boaters here (see, we don't use the word, landlubber, either). For the record, the electrical panel backing plate on my C-27 is stamped, "Catalina Yachts." Sometimes, however, it can also sound a bit snooty to say something about, "my sailboat," so I just use the word "boat" most of the time. Then she can say: "Oh, what type of boat is it?" And I can say: "Oh, you mean my yacht? Why, she's a sailboat, of course. Wanna go for ride?" Nick "Julia Bell" C-27 #86
Yacht is a perfectly good nautical word we don't use (in the USA) because it's been corrupted by non-boaters here (see, we don't use the word, landlubber, either). For the record, the electrical panel backing plate on my C-27 is stamped, "Catalina Yachts." Sometimes, however, it can also sound a bit snooty to say something about, "my sailboat," so I just use the word "boat" most of the time. Then she can say: "Oh, what type of boat is it?" And I can say: "Oh, you mean my yacht? Why, she's a sailboat, of course. Wanna go for ride?" Nick "Julia Bell" C-27 #86
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