In short, a yacht is a watercraft used for either sport or leisure purposes. It differs from other boats in its cabin and deck. In everyday use, though, the word yacht is only used from a certain hull length (6-160 m). The fixed keel is also a very well-known feature. Well-known historical examples of yachts include the Germania and the Hohenzollern. Until the 1970s, yachts were still made of wood, aluminum and steel. Back then, yachts were also still called hunting vessels. When sailing yacht types are built this way, we speak of a "classic yacht".

Sailing yacht types

What Is It Like Today?

Today, however, manufacturing has changed a great deal. Newer models are also called "modern classics". The main material is plastic. But why has the production of sailing yacht types changed so much? The change goes hand in hand with optimizing lightness, strength, formability and high watertightness. Ease of care and upkeep of the yacht also plays an important role. Moreover, the new designs in the industry would not be possible at all with the old materials. The plastics used are mostly GRP (fiberglass) or CFRP (carbon fiber). But the exact construction varies greatly depending on the preferred cruising area and intensity of use. That is why building a yacht is very complicated work and can only be carried out by very experienced professionals.

In construction, sailing yacht types also differ in their designation. There are, for example, maxi yachts, mini yachts, maxis or even supermaxis. These names are not tied to specific sizes, but are nevertheless used frequently, including in everyday speech. There are two fundamentally different sailing yacht types, distinguished from each other by their propulsion.

Sailing yacht types

Sailing Yacht

First, there is the sailing yacht. It is often used for sporting purposes, but many also see it as a leisure activity. Sailing yachts are also often confused with sailing dinghies. But there is a fundamental difference: the sailing yacht has a keel and the sailing dinghy does not. Dinghies have a centerboard instead. A centerboard is a kind of plate that is lowered through the hull into the water, which reduces leeway, if not eliminates it altogether.

Motor Yacht

The other type is the motor yacht. As the name suggests, it is driven by an engine and, apart from a few special cases, mostly serves as a pastime for its owner. The motor yacht, too, is often confused by the uninitiated with a motorboat. But the term motorboat covers all motorized boats, whereas a yacht is equipped with a cabin and deck and is usually also used for living aboard. On some motor yachts, the living space even comprises several rooms.

Nevertheless, there are also special forms of sailing yacht types; here is a list of a few examples.

  • Catamaran yachts
  • Gulet yachts
  • Sportfishing yachts
  • Steel yachts
  • Mega yachts
  • Mini yachts
  • Superyachts
  • Private yachts