At what length does a sailboat become a yacht?

bnoble · #1 (**permalink**) 01-31-2003

I was asked the other day at what length does a sailboat become a yacht?
I search and can’t come up with a definitive answer. Can anyone help?

Thanks
Bnoble

thefantasea · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2003

As with Justice Potter Stewart''s definition of pornograhy, when you see a yacht, you''ll know it.

928frenzy · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2003

This topic was discused not long ago. Do a search on "Yacht".

~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~

Nereus32 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-31-2003

According to Websters: Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels, generally with smart graceful lines, used for pleasure cruises or racing.

Pretty broad definition. My boat is a disaster right now, so it is just a boat. I guess when it is finished and looking good, then it is a yacht.

Jeff_H · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2003

There is no length requirement. A ''Yacht'' is simply a vessel not used for commerce or in other words a recreational vessel. So, the smallest dinghy can still be a yacht. It is only landlubbers that tend to think of the term yacht as somehow implying a larger vessel.

Jeff

BigRed56 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-31-2003

I be thinking me coments echo Jeffs in a most deciedly wonderfull way under the Pirate topic.

Sailmc · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003

Any boat bigger than the one you own is a yacht.

KenD · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003

I believe the coasties refer to any over 27 ft as a yacht.I do think that Jeff might be more to your point of question the vessel needs to be non comercial and for private use,I wonder if this puts a different slant on charter boats?