Whether you are chartering a yacht or buying a yacht, the first consideration will be to choose a yacht that will best suit your needs.
Yachts come in all shapes and sizes, with the primary types being motor, sailing, multi-hull, expedition, and eco-vessels. A luxury yacht represents a significant asset, and choosing a yacht is no easy feat. The good news is that a highly experienced yacht brokerage will be able to help guide you through the process and ensure you select the right boat for your needs.
In our yacht comparison guide, we explore the key benefits of each of these vessels. Yacht comparison guide: What are the different types of yachts? The different types of yachts can be primarily defined as motor yachts, sailing boats, explorer yachts, eco-vessels, and multi-hull boats. Motor yachts - Excellent volume and onboard amenities - Enhanced accessibility - Superior comfort - Multiple engine types Motor yachts are the most popular type of yacht, typically boasting a diesel propulsion system. These yachts are sought-after as they offer voluminous proportions, can accommodate superb onboard amenities, including helipads, cinemas, spas, and onboard gyms, and offer enhanced comfort levels, with many boasting advanced stabilisation systems.
Due to their excellent volume, motor yachts are a great choice for those seeking enhanced accessibility, with many boasting wide decks, swim platforms, and elevators that provide access to all decks. They are a superb choice for those seeking a family friendly vessel, thanks to their flexible layouts and onboard amenities. Motor yachts are available in all performance brackets, from vessels designed for long-range cruising to those built for speed. Sailing boats - Sustainable and silent cruising - Enhanced connection with nature - Cost savings - Unlimited range Second on our yacht comparison guide is sailing yachts, which are becoming an increasingly popular choice, especially with yacht owners seeking an eco-friendly vessel. Indeed, nothing quite matches the thrill of hoisting up the sails and harnessing the power of Mother Nature.
These types of vessels often appeal to sailing enthusiasts; however, advancements in modern design mean that the world’s finest sailing yachts now closely match the volume and onboard amenities offered on motor yachts, with some boasting swimming pools, Jacuzzis, cinema rooms, and wellness centres, opening them up to a new market.
A key benefit, besides the romance of sailing, is the ability to enjoy silent cruising and benefit from lower operating costs compared to motor yachts. If there are favourable wind conditions, sailing boats also boast an unlimited range, meaning you never have to worry about re-fuelling. Explorer yachts - Built to cruise anywhere in the world - Exceptional comfort and onboard amenities - Extended range - Versatility The yachting industry has seen a rise in demand for explorer yachts or expedition vessels. These rugged yachts are built to cruise anywhere in the world. Often constructed to ice-class standards, they are equally at home cruising the glacier-filled waters of Antarctica as they are island-hopping in the Caribbean. This makes them an especially popular choice with explorers who want to enjoy extended adventures at sea.
Expedition yachts boast exceptional range and over-sized storage capacity for provisions. Despite their rugged appearance, they often feature all the comforts and amenities of a superyacht, with some boasting research centres, medical facilities, and water toys designed for exploration, including submersibles. Due to their robust build and onboard technology, expedition vessels are typically more expensive to maintain and often require a highly skilled crew with experience in long-range cruising, navigation, and handling adverse weather conditions. Eco vessels - Environmentally friendly - Often boast an unlimited range - Exceptional comfort & onboard amenities - Highly versatile design options - Long-term cost efficiencies Sustainability is now the watchword of the yachting industry, and eco-vessels are becoming increasingly popular as both owners and shipbuilders seek to develop innovative eco-friendly propulsion systems.
Many new-build motor yachts now boast advanced hybrid propulsion systems and highly fuel-efficient systems that feature a reduced footprint, while other yachts are powered entirely by green energy. Fuel cells, powered by hydrogen, are the latest advancement, with several shipyards now building the first ever fuel-cell superyachts.
Eco-vessels often come with a higher additional build cost because of the advanced technology; however, these costs are significantly offset during the lifespan of a yacht, courtesy of fuel-savings. Multi-hull boats - Unmatched volume - Enhanced accessibility - Excellent stability - Design flexibility - Shallow drafts Last on our yacht comparison guide are multi-hull boats, including catamarans and trimarans, which are popular with individuals seeking enhanced volume and comfort.
Multi-hull boats, especially catamarans, are known for their excellent stability thanks to their wide hull, which also offers incredible volume, making them comfortable for extended cruising. Multi-hull boats also offer excellent performance, with the ability to outperform monohull boats in terms of speed. Another benefit is they often have a shallow draft, enabling them to anchor closer to shore. However, they are less manoeuvrable, making it harder to find suitable berths and marinas. Choosing a yacht can be overwhelming, so we hope our yacht comparison guide has been useful. No matter what type of vessel you seek, always work with an experienced yacht brokerage who can help smoothly guide you through the process.
Article by Joanna Lewis
