How Big Are Yachts? 5 Types Explained (With Numbers)

Yachts can come in a variety of sizes and weights. Before you purchase a yacht, you must know what size yacht you need.

The size and weight of the yacht that you need will depend greatly on what your intended use is for the yacht that you are purchasing.

Here’s everything you need to know about the weight of yachts:

Here’s an Idea of How Big Yachts Are:

The term “Yachts” refers to a pleasure vessel that is at least 30 feet in length and has some type of cabin with some amenities. The biggest luxury yacht is 590 feet (180 meters) and 13,136 gross tons.

What Do We Mean When We Talk About Weight?

There are two types of weight for a boat, dry weight, and wet weight.

Dry weight is the weight of the boat without any fluids in the tanks. Wet weight is the weight of the boat with the fluids in the tanks.

You can also have a loaded weight, which is the wet weight, including any additional toys or equipment you have stored onboard.

What Do We Mean When We Talk About Length?

There are many different ways to calculate a boat’s length. For this reason, you want to make sure that you have a clear idea of what the length of your boat really is.

The boat’s registered length is generally the maximum overall length, which is the length on deck plus any bowsprit or swim deck.  The length of the boat on the waterline is also an important boat characteristic that you should know.

Due to the shape and construction of the hull, these numbers may differ.

For example, if you have a boat that has a 50-foot deck with no bowsprit, your registered length will be 50 feet.

Some boats are measured using “LOA,” otherwise known as length overall.

Why Is Knowing The Weight And Length Important?

The most important reason to know your boat’s weight and length is for when you choose to shop for trailers or even to determine if your vehicle can haul it.

If you try to tow a boat without an accurate representation of the weight or length, you can ruin your vehicle’s engine and even your towing equipment, not to mention have serious safety issues.

Another reason to know about your vessel’s weight is to know how much you can bring for your trip without packing more than the maximum weight allowed.

It is also important to know your weight and how it can affect your boat, especially when it comes to speed.

Different Types of Boats and Their Average Weight and Length

Below are some different types of boats and their average size and weight, and the factors that go into them.

1. Luxury Yacht

Yachts are normally classified as any watercraft that can be used for pleasure or sport and can range from 30 ft to over 100 ft.

While a yacht can be as small as 30 ft. long, a yacht is often considered a cabin cruiser until it is 39 ft. or more, then it is considered a proper yacht.

A yacht would be considered a large yacht once it’s length is over 79 feet. A yacht is considered a superyacht or megayacht if it is over 115 feet long.

The yacht the holds the record for being the longest yacht is 590 feet long. This yacht is called the “Azzam” and has held onto its title for over 5 years.

Because of the wide variety of sizes, the weight can vary greatly when it comes to yachts, and it is hard to nail down an average.

Some more distinctive differences between yachts include:

1. Express Cruiser or Sports Cruiser:
   • These yachts are single-deck yachts with one living quarter below. They are often sleek and sporty.
2. Flybridge:
   • Also known as a sedan bridge or sport bridge yacht. This yacht has an area on top of the superstructure that features a view all the way around the vessel.
   • This deck up top can offer a control station or even lounge seating, depending on its size.
3. Motor Yacht:
   • Also known as a pilothouse motor yacht, cockpit motor yacht, or sky lounge. This term can be used for any large recreational vessel that is motor powered.
   • Usually, this means a multi-deck vessel similar to a flybridge but instead has a large interior deck.
4. Tri-Deck Yacht:
   • Often classified as a mega yacht, which is normally any vessel 80 ft. or more. This vessel is exactly what it sounds like.
   • It is a yacht with three levels of enclosed living space.
5. Sportfish:
   • A sportfishing yacht is any yacht that is geared towards fishing.
   • They often have areas designated to storage for rods, bait, tackle, and even areas to store the day’s catch.

2. Sailboats

Large sailboats are yachts propelled by sails and can be found in lakes, rivers, and even out on the ocean.  Today, they almost all have auxiliary power in the form of an engine.

While the weight and length of a sailboat can drastically vary, the average weight of a sailboat is about 8,800 pounds. This weight does not include added gear, equipment, or fluids.

The weight will vary greatly depending on the length of the sailboat. Sailboat lengths can range between 8 feet to 472 feet.

The 472-foot sailboat also carries three masts that tower at over 91 feet each. This can definitely add more weight than the 8-foot vessel.

Listed below are 6 examples of sailboats and their weights and lengths:

1. Catalina 16
   LOA: 16 ft. 4 in.
   Hull Weight: 430 pounds
2. Hunter 22
   LOA: 21 ft. 4 in.
   Hull Weight: 3,200 pounds
3. C&C 27
   LOA: 27 ft. 4 in.
   Hull Weight: 5,180 pounds
4. Erickson 28.5
   LOA: 28 ft. 7 in.
   Hull Weight: 8,500 pounds
5. Pearson 39
   LOA: 39 ft. 3 in.
   Hull Weight: 17,000 pounds
6. Swan 48
   LOA: 47 ft. 11 in.
   Hull Weight: 36,000 pounds

3. Speed Boats (Cigarette Boats)

Speed boats are sleek and built for achieving high levels of speed.

These boats are not made for watersports and should not be confused with ski boats.

A speed boat’s average weight is slightly less than that of a sailboat at roughly 8,000 pounds.

Some of the factors that determine a speed boat’s weight can include their length, engines, and sleekness.

Listed below are some examples of speedboats and their weights and lengths:

1. Cigarette 38 Top Gun
   LOA: 37 ft. 8 in.
   Hull Weight: 9,175 pounds
2. 32 Thunder Cat
   LOA: 32 ft.
   Hull Weight: 5,400 pounds
3. M35
   LOA: 35 ft. 4 in.
   Hull Weight: 9,250 pounds

4. Deck Boats or Pontoon Boats

Deck boats and pontoon boats both have large decks and are mostly intended for recreational use.

Pontoon boats have the lowest average weight at 3,100 pounds.

Because they do not have large hulls, they can be lighter and cut across the water easier than boats with larger hulls.

Listed below are some examples of deck boats and their weights and lengths:

1. NauticStar 211 Angler (Deckboat)
   LOA: 20 ft. 9 in.
   Weight: 2,100 pounds
2. Stingray 212SC (Deckboat)
   LOA: 21 ft. 11 in.
   Weight: 3,100 pounds
3. Hurricane SunDeck 2690
   LOA: 26 ft. 4 in.
   Weight: 4,475 pounds

5. Cabin Cruisers

Cabin cruisers are large boats that are sometimes looked at as mini-yachts.

These boats allow for sleeping accommodations and other luxuries afforded in their cabin space.

Like the sailboat, a cabin cruiser’s weight can vary. However, they do tend to have a smaller range than sailboats.

The average weight of a cabin cruiser is about 8,700 pounds.

One of the major factors in the weight of cabin cruisers is the size of the sleeping accommodations below. Some models of cabin cruisers can even sleep up to 10 people.

Listed below are some examples of cabin cruisers and their weights and lengths:

1. Larson 274 Cabrio
   LOA: 28 ft.
   Dry Weight: 6,001 pounds
2. Rinker 301 Express Cruiser
   LOA: 32 ft.
   Dry Weight 7,640 pounds
3. Bayliner 285 SB
   LOA: 28 ft. 9 in.
   Dry Weight: 8,056 pounds

Picking a Yacht:

Yachts can vary in a wide array of sizes, weights, styles, and even purposes.

You can race them, fish on them, and cruise around at an easy pace.

You can take a day trip or even take personal cruises that last days or weeks.

With ample deck and cabin space that offers activities, sunbathing, kitchens, lounges, and sleeping quarters, a yacht is often the most comfortable way to experience the open water.

To choose a yacht, you will want to know what type of yacht you are looking for and what you want to use it for.

You also want to make sure when picking a yacht; you make sure you keep the weight and length in mind to make sure you have a proper towing vehicle and trailer for your vessel.