Classification of sailing yachts. Yacht - structure and basic concepts What is a yacht

Surely many do not fully understand the meaning of the word yacht, and one hundred percent, most people have not even seen a vessel of this type in real life, not to mention a walk on it. The word yacht appeared in the 17th century, however, it came from the pro-German concept “jachtschip”, which means “pursuit vessel”. In later times and to this day, a yacht means a sailing, motor or sail-motor vessel for long journeys, sports competitions or sea ​​trips. The first sailing boats appeared among the Egyptians in the 4th century BC; information about this is kept on tablets with images of floating structures with one mast and a straight sail. Since those time immemorial, the design and appearance of a sailing vessel has undergone dramatic changes, and today the modern yacht has become the crown of a technological breakthrough using materials for the manufacture of spaceship parts.

Yacht types:

  • Sailing yachts (Keels, dinghies and compromises).
  • Motor yachts are comfortable boats, perfect for short trips and anchorage. But due to the lack of a false keel, moving in strong winds and big waves becomes extremely heavy, causing discomfort to passengers.
  • Racing yachts are sea racers designed for high-speed short passages or regattas in narrow and enclosed waters. Typically, such boats do not have cabins and a large list of electronic devices and navigation aids.
  • Cruising yachts are vessels designed for long sea voyages with a wide range of equipment and safety equipment.
  • Single-hull, double-hull, triple-hull - catamarans and trimarans.

Yacht construction

Initially, a yacht is a boat designed for sailing open waters(Oceans and seas). Their design allows the vessel to move in an unlimited area, far from the coast in heavy winds reaching 30 meters per second at low air or water temperatures, and waves up to 7 meters in height. In addition to such difficult navigation conditions, the ship must sail autonomously and also be able to overcome the consequences of accidents without hope of rescue. Yachts in this category have:

  1. Heavy ballast keel with a depth of at least 1.8 meters.
  2. The length at the waterline should not be less than 42 feet (14 meters).
  3. Electronic equipment and navigation:
  • An echo sounder is a sonar aimed at a narrow section of the bottom in order to obtain a digitized image of the landscape and the distance from the bottom of the vessel to the seabed. A fish finder is a great tool for finding fish;
  • LAG is a navigation device that measures the speed of the ship and the distance traveled. Using this device, you can easily find out the drift correction if the GPS fails;
  • GPS – stands for Global Satellite System for quickly and accurately determining the location of a ship in space;
  • radar is a bearing-finding device using high-frequency waves that can see underwater, surface and air targets, as well as coastal objects. The sensitivity of the device is very high. Using radar, you can see small objects in the form of navigation buoys. The device allows you to control the vessel in zero visibility conditions;
  • autopilot is a complex of electronic and mechanical devices with software that allows you to autonomously follow a given trajectory;
  • marine radio station;
  • stationary engine;
  • drogue.
  1. Steering is carried out using a rudder blade, which drives a steering wheel or tiller.

In addition to category A and B yachts plying the ocean, there are boats designed for coastal navigation and closed water areas (rivers, lakes). Due to the rapid development of shipping, sea ​​sports and a growing number of wealthy citizens, these types of yachts (classified as C and D) have gained great popularity. Their main differences from categories A and B in the keel block. Instead of a heavy and long keel, which provides good stability, a centerboard is used in the design of yachts of this class. It looks like a short fin without weight. In some cases, with the possibility of cleaning it into a special niche located in the bottom of the case. Otherwise, their design is practically no different from higher class boats. The equipment of vessels for coastal navigation and movement in enclosed waters may be limited to such instruments and navigation aids as:

  • PAH;
  • echo sounder;
  • navigation lights;
  • marine radio station;
  • outboard engine.


Sailing rig of the yacht

Modern sailing yachts can be built according to many designs, but the most popular today is the Bermuda sloop. From afar, the sail of a yacht of this type resembles a shark’s tooth. The Bermuda sloop's sails are attached to the mast by halyards and controlled by sheets.

The yacht has one mast and a whole set of sails:

  • mainsail - the main sail with a large area. Trisel - storm grotto;
  • staysail - the second main sail auxiliary to the mainsail for movement at full courses and movement of the vessel in strong winds. A modern sailing yacht has a storm jib in its arsenal. The sail has small area and made of durable material;
  • spinnaker - a large-area racing sail made of lightweight material;
  • gennaker - a racing sail that resembles a parachute with a large area;
  • The genoa is the largest sail installed on the forecastle of a yacht. With a good backstay it can give the yacht better speed.

Inside the yacht

The interior space of most boats, with the possible exception of racing ones, has at least one cabin with four berths. The yacht, designed for long sea voyages, has a high level of comfort for the crew and passengers. The ship has a comfortable latrine with an electric pump and shower. A galley where the cook can prepare any culinary masterpiece. A spacious, cozy wardroom in which the crew will spend time between shifts. The yacht can have several sleeping cabins, each of which can accommodate from two to six people.

Life on a cruise yacht is no different from home. Modern yachts can be equipped with desalinators sea ​​water, satellite television, sound systems and even an entire cinema. In bathrooms, sometimes they install not simple bathtubs, but Jacuzzis for two. The cabins have full double beds. In short, staying on a yacht will be no less comfortable than staying in a luxury hotel room.

Motor yachts

Motor yachts will be an excellent choice for those whose ambitions end with short passages or movements in closed waters. This boat is easy to sail. But when purchasing a yacht of this type, you need to understand that serious travel is out of the question, due to design features. The first disadvantage will be high fuel consumption, and many copies run on gasoline. This type of fuel makes the engine highly revving, which allows it to achieve good cruising speed, acceleration, and makes it possible to plan and maneuver when parking. But these advantages are relative, since fuel consumption on such vessels is at least forty liters per hour. Another serious drawback is the lack of a false fin. This makes the boat less stable and unable to move in heavy seas. In addition, during large waves the crew experiences the heaviest rolling motion. On keelboats, roll motion is less noticeable.


Yachting is gaining popularity every year in the CIS countries. Behind last years New celebrities began to appear in yachting circles. Increasingly, new personalities appear on the Internet who have traveled around the world. And these tourists are the most ordinary people, they are far from professionals, participants in expeditions. Now “around the world” trips are made by married couples with children, and even pensioners. On the Internet you can find many blogs about life on a yacht. This type of marine life is chosen by many people in the United States. In their opinion, living on a yacht is cheaper than living on land. Especially if the ship is at dead anchor, because you don’t have to pay for such anchorage. In addition, each cruising yacht is a self-contained home afloat.

One of the most travelers worth attention, became the crew of the yacht "Yuri Gagarin". The travelers themselves call themselves office clerks, and as they say about themselves, they are amateurs in yachting, however, since 2013 they have managed to go around most globe. But in the history of navigation there are people who managed to circumnavigate the entire Earth by oneself. One of these enthusiastic travelers was Sergei Morozov. On his 30-foot yacht Dreammaker, bought for just $1,000, he managed to travel around the world in a few years. He captured his exciting journey on video, which can be found on his YouTube channel. And of course, it’s worth mentioning Lenny Rossolovski, who created a video blog where he shares his experience of life under sail.

How much does life on a yacht cost?

For the unenlightened and inexperienced in yachting, purchasing a yacht is comparable to purchasing luxury real estate, a small county, or the latest supercar. But, like everything in this life, the price of a yacht is a relative thing. Yes, of course, there is no limit to perfection, and a sixty-foot yacht costs no less than housing in the center of Moscow. But a person who knows what he needs from a trip can easily reduce the sum of six zeros to thirty thousand dollars. For this relatively little money you gain real freedom, as well as a fifteen-meter sailboat with a “B” classification. Such a used yacht will allow you to confidently navigate the sea and make exciting, adventurous transoceanic crossings and circumnavigations. By becoming the owner of such a sailboat, you receive:

  • a spacious saloon with a galley, a navigator's station, a comfortable corner sofa and a spacious table;
  • a twenty-meter mast, with the ability to install at least three sails;
  • a minimum two-meter ballast false keel, ensuring excellent stability of the boat;
  • from six berths and several cabins;
  • latrine and shower;
  • stationary diesel engine and steering wheel;
  • a spacious cockpit covered with a sprayhood and an awning, protecting the helmsman and clews from the sun, wind and water;
  • serious navigation electronic equipment and even an autopilot;
  • automatic furling of the jib and mainsail, which greatly simplifies working with sails and maneuvering the yacht. These auxiliary mechanisms make it possible to operate the yacht alone;
  • solar panel or small wind generator. In tandem, these power sources will allow you to use electrical appliances around the clock;
  • two hundred liter tank fresh water and eighty-liter for diesel fuel;
  • The comfort of such a yacht will be provided by: a refrigerator, an LCD TV, a gas stove, and an audio tape recorder.

Despite the impressive list of options and installed equipment, sailboat tuning has no limits. If a water desalinator is added to the power supply, such a vessel will become a real autonomous home for a small crew.

If you do not have enough financial resources to buy a yacht or you simply have nowhere to put it, but the desire to surf the sea is great - great option make your dream come true. The cost of renting a yacht is significantly lower than buying it, and you don’t have to think about its maintenance, mooring and taxes.

How much does it cost to rent a yacht?

Yacht rental in Sochi is a common and popular service. Many shipowners rent out their yachts on a daily or hourly basis. The cost of providing such a service varies greatly and ranges from 4,500 to 70,000 rubles per hour. This takes into account the class, capacity, size, finishing of the yacht and Additional services, as well as the rental period. It will be cheaper to book a yacht online - in this case we guarantee the most favorable price and a pleasant surprise: a compliment from the captain.

How much does a trip on a small yacht cost?

Each person has his own lifestyle and needs. Some people are used to dining in restaurants, while others will enjoy a modest dinner on the high seas. It could be just navy-style pasta and hot tea. The travel budget can be reduced by increasing the distance covered under sail. Fascinating will be a good way to save your budget. A barbecue installed in the cockpit will help diversify the kitchen. Based on information from the crew of the yacht Mamushka, the year and a half expenses of the four crew members amounted to less than $16,000. It turns out that unforgettable journey with visits to many amazing, scenic spots, without leaving a comfortable apartment, will cost $200 per month per person. This is an insignificant amount for an exciting adventure full of romance and drive, and for some - the dream of a lifetime!




Yacht- any sailing, motor or sail-motor vessel intended for sporting or tourist purposes. The most common are sailing yachts. A sailing yacht has two main parts: the hull and the rig. The hull houses the yacht's crew and supplies. Armament refers to sails and all devices for setting and controlling sails.

Types of sailing yachts

In sailing, yachts of the most various types and sizes. Depending on the sailing conditions in a particular area, large or small yachts of one design or another are used.

There are two main criteria by which the type of yacht can be determined: purpose and sailing area; hull design and weapons.

Based on the first criterion, cruising and racing yachts are distinguished.

Main purpose racing yachts- sailing races over limited distances, so racing yachts are built to be extremely light. They are not strong enough for long voyages and do not have everyday amenities.

Cruising yachts They have a very durable construction and a maximum of household amenities. The main purpose is cruising and racing on the high seas at a great distance from the base.

Cruising and racing yachts- the most common type of yacht, combines the properties of the above mentioned yachts.

According to the design of the body.

Dinghy boat is one of the types of yachts. The dinghy has a shallow draft and relatively wide hull. In the middle of the hull there is a slot in which a flat (metal or wooden) retractable keel - centerboard - is placed. When there is no need for additional lateral resistance (for example, during tailwinds) or when passing through a shallow area, the centerboard can be raised and even completely retracted into the centerboard well. The stability of a dinghy (the ability of a vessel to return to its original position on the water with the masts straight up, after reducing the impact of any force that caused the deviation) is much less than that of a keelboat. Basically, the stability of the dinghy is ensured by the appropriate shape of the hull - flat and wide. A dinghy cannot capsize if not handled properly, so it is less safe when sailing in the sea and open waters than a keel yacht.

Bottom of the hull keel yacht turns into a deep fin, creating significant lateral resistance. To give greater stability, a cast iron or lead weight, called a ballast keel or false keel, is attached to the lower part of this fin. Yachts of this type are designed for sailing on seas and lakes with deep water and strong winds and waves. A keel yacht has very high stability and cannot capsize under normal conditions. Sailing on keel yachts on rivers and small lakes is difficult due to the deep draft.

An intermediate type of yacht will combine the characteristics of the described vessels. Thus, to obtain increased stability with a shallow draft, ships are built with a centerboard running inside the ballast keel. These vessels have less draft without centerboards than keelboats, but more than dinghies. Such yachts are called compromises.

Sailing yachts can have not one, but two or even three hulls. Then they are called and.

Yachts also vary in size and class.

  • Yachts up to 30 feet (10 m) are designed for day trips over short distances.
  • Yachts from 30 to 56 feet (10-18 m) are the most popular and affordable class of yachts. Such yachts allow you to travel long distances and go out into the open sea without creating extreme situations.
  • Yachts from 56 to 70 feet (18-24 meters) usually require a crew to operate them.
  • Yachts over 70 feet (24 meters) are usually called V.I.P. megayachts. They are usually built according to an individual project or are representatives of a limited edition.

Besides this general classification There is also a sports classification of yachts, which determines their division into classes. The sports classification of yachts is necessary to create equal conditions for competition in racing. Within each class, whenever possible, equal chances of winning the competition are ensured (to the extent that these chances are determined by the yacht itself).

Frame

Keel yacht and its parts:

1 - nasal overhang; 2 - fin and false keel; 3 - hold; 4 - rudder blade; 5 - stern overhang; 6 - valance; 7 - transom; 8 - yut; 9 - cockpit; 10 - cutting; 11 - entrance hatch; 12 - cabin; 13 - deck; 14 - light (skylight) hatch; 15 - railing; 16 - bow and stern rails; 17 - anchor support (anchor, chain, biting, deck fairlead); 18 - tank; 19 - cockpit; 20 - forepeak; 21 - compass.

Armament

The main parts of a yacht's armament are sails, spars and rigging.

Sail- the main propulsion device of the yacht.

They are divided into three sets: main (or tacking), additional and storm sails. The yacht carries the main sails during normal voyages. These same sails determine the sail area of ​​the yacht. Participation in racing requires special sails that increase the sail area in certain situations that arise at a distance (for example, with tailwinds). Such sails are called additional sails. When sailing in stormy weather, tacking sails are replaced with smaller and more durable storm sails.

The totality of all wooden or metal parts of weapons used for attaching and carrying sails is called spar.

Rigging- gear made from plant or steel cable is divided into standing and running. Standing rigging is used to brace and maintain the spar in working position, and running rigging is used to set and retract the sails and spar, control the sails, and raise and lower signals.


Encyclopedia of tourists. 2014 .

Synonyms:

See what “Yacht” is in other dictionaries:

    yacht- yacht, s... Russian spelling dictionary

    YACHT- (English). A small vessel used for pleasure sea trips. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. YACHT (English) a small vessel used for entertainment. sea ​​walks. Dictionary… … Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

    YACHT- YACHT, yachts, women. (English yacht). 1. Large sailboat of light construction for sports. Racing yachts. 2. A small (sailing, steam or motor) vessel for sea trips and sports. Steam yacht with deep draft. Sea yacht. Intelligent... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

    YACHT- (Yacht) it is not possible to accurately establish the meaning of this term, since Yacht refers to a wide variety of vessels, ranging from a half-deck boat to a large three-masted vessel like Yacht Sunbeam, which belonged to Brassey. In general... ...Marine Dictionary

    yacht- boer, tender, buer, Dutchman, fall boat, monotype, okadeing, tornado, Finn, dinghy, dinghy, cadet, dragon, soling Dictionary of Russian synonyms. yacht noun, number of synonyms: 26 boater (2) ... Synonym dictionary

    YACHT- (Dutch jacht, from jagen to drive, pursue), a sailing, motor or sail-motor vessel for walks, sports, tourism. The most common sailing yachts differ in hull design, equipment and sail area... Modern encyclopedia

    YACHT- (from Dutch jacht) a sailing, sailing or motor vessel for water sports and walks. Sports sailing yachts are distinguished by hull design, sail area, and the presence of a keel or centerboard. Marine yachts are made with permanent ballast... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

    YACHT- YACHT, s, women. 1. Large and light sports sailing boat. Olympic yachts (certain types of dinghies, keel yachts, catamarans). 2. A small boat for walks and sports. Motor I. | adj. yacht, aya, oh and yacht, aya, oh. Yacht keel... ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

    YACHT- female funny, seaworthy, small vessel. Yacht team. Yacht device. Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary. IN AND. Dahl. 1863 1866 … Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary

Yacht- any sailing, motor or sail-motor vessel intended for sporting or tourist purposes. The most common are sailing yachts. A sailing yacht has two main parts: the hull and the rig. The hull houses the yacht's crew and supplies. Armament refers to sails and all devices for setting and controlling sails.

Types of sailing yachts

Yachts of various types and sizes are used in sailing. Depending on the sailing conditions in a particular area, large or small yachts of one design or another are used.

There are two main criteria by which the type of yacht can be determined: purpose and sailing area; hull design and weapons.

Based on the first criterion, cruising and racing yachts are distinguished.

Main purpose racing yachts- sailing races over limited distances, so racing yachts are built to be extremely light. They are not strong enough for long voyages and do not have everyday amenities.

Cruising yachts They have a very durable construction and a maximum of household amenities. The main purpose is cruising and racing on the high seas at a great distance from the base.

Cruising and racing yachts- the most common type of yacht, combines the properties of the above mentioned yachts.

According to the design of the body.

Dinghy boat is one of the types of yachts. The dinghy has a shallow draft and relatively wide hull. In the middle of the hull there is a slot in which a flat (metal or wooden) retractable keel - centerboard - is placed. When there is no need for additional lateral resistance (for example, during tailwinds) or when passing through a shallow area, the centerboard can be raised and even completely retracted into the centerboard well. The stability of a dinghy (the ability of a vessel to return to its original position on the water with the masts straight up, after reducing the impact of any force that caused the deviation) is much less than that of a keelboat. Basically, the stability of the dinghy is ensured by the appropriate shape of the hull - flat and wide. A dinghy cannot capsize if not handled properly, so it is less safe when sailing in the sea and open waters than a keel yacht.

Bottom of the hull keel yacht turns into a deep fin, creating significant lateral resistance. To give greater stability, a cast iron or lead weight, called a ballast keel or false keel, is attached to the lower part of this fin. Yachts of this type are designed for sailing on seas and lakes with deep water and strong winds and waves. A keel yacht has very high stability and cannot capsize under normal conditions. Sailing on keel yachts on rivers and small lakes is difficult due to the deep draft.

An intermediate type of yacht will combine the characteristics of the described vessels. Thus, to obtain increased stability with a shallow draft, ships are built with a centerboard running inside the ballast keel. These vessels have less draft without centerboards than keelboats, but more than dinghies. Such yachts are called compromises.

Sailing yachts can have not one, but two or even three hulls. Then they are called catamarans and trimarans.

Yachts also vary in size and class.

  • Yachts up to 30 feet (10 m) are designed for day trips over short distances.
  • Yachts from 30 to 56 feet (10-18 m) are the most popular and affordable class of yachts. Such yachts allow you to travel long distances and go out into the open sea without creating extreme situations.
  • Yachts from 56 to 70 feet (18-24 meters) usually require a crew to operate them.
  • Yachts over 70 feet (24 meters) are usually called V.I.P. megayachts. They are usually built according to an individual project or are representatives of a limited edition.

In addition to this general classification, there is also a sports classification of yachts, which determines their division into classes. The sports classification of yachts is necessary to create equal conditions for competition in racing. Within each class, whenever possible, equal chances of winning the competition are ensured (to the extent that these chances are determined by the yacht itself).

Frame

Keel yacht and its parts:

1 - nasal overhang; 2 - fin and false keel; 3 - hold; 4 - rudder blade; 5 - stern overhang; 6 - valance; 7 - transom; 8 - yut; 9 - cockpit; 10 - cutting; 11 - entrance hatch; 12 - cabin; 13 - deck; 14 - light (skylight) hatch; 15 - railing; 16 - bow and stern rails; 17 - anchor support (anchor, chain, biting, deck fairlead); 18 - tank; 19 - cockpit; 20 - forepeak; 21 - compass.

Armament

The main parts of a yacht's armament are sails, spars and rigging.

Sail- the main propulsion device of the yacht.

They are divided into three sets: main (or tacking), additional and storm sails. The yacht carries the main sails during normal voyages. These same sails determine the sail area of ​​the yacht. Participation in racing requires special sails that increase the sail area in certain situations that arise at a distance (for example, with tailwinds). Such sails are called additional sails. When sailing in stormy weather, tacking sails are replaced with smaller and more durable storm sails.

The totality of all wooden or metal parts of weapons used for attaching and carrying sails is called spar.

Rigging- gear made from plant or steel cable is divided into standing and running. Standing rigging is used to brace and maintain the spar in working position, and running rigging is used to set and retract the sails and spar, control the sails, and raise and lower signals.

A yacht is a vessel with slanting sails. Ships of this type can be very different: without a mast, developing a speed of 40 knots, it can be a giant cruise ship several stories tall and costing hundreds of millions of dollars, or a modest single-masted vessel. So what is a yacht? According to modern concepts, a yacht is a vessel on which you can engage in sports or use it for tourism and recreation.

Yacht classification

Such ships are divided into many varieties based on their size, method of movement or the material from which the ship is made. Modern yachts are no longer made in the old fashioned way - from wood. They are now produced using latest materials: in particular – heavy-duty plastics. Yachts are vessels equipped with everything necessary for autonomous navigation: water desalinators, satellite navigators, radio stations and safety equipment.

According to the method of transportation, sailing, motor and sail-motor ships of this type are distinguished.

Sailing yachts

They consist of a hull and sailing equipment. All they need to move through the waters is a fair wind and a competent helmsman. It is clear that a sailing yacht will not be able to compete in speed with a motor yacht, and the wind direction is not always favorable. However, this is historically the first type of yacht, these yachts are still popular. They are cheaper than motor and sail-motor counterparts. However, they have no restrictions on fuel supplies, so the whole world is open to them. By the way, the sale of yachts is at the link.

Sailing ships, in turn, are divided into cruising and racing. The basis for this division is the purpose of the vessel, the design of its hull and the sail rig.

Racing yachts of this type are designed for sailing regattas in limited sea or river waters. They are quite light, do not have a significant margin of safety and do not have special household amenities. Cruising yachts are vessels with a solid design, a wide range of amenities, because they are designed for long-term autonomous cruising away from bases.

Motor-sailing yachts

The combination of a power plant and sails is a conscious choice of many people who are in love with sea travel. It is clear that the engine plays a secondary role in this arrangement, and in the presence of wind, of course, the sails will be used first. However, it will undoubtedly come in handy when sailing in difficult weather conditions or for maneuvers in absolute calm.

From a logistics point of view, this type of vessel will already require some fuel reserves, but compared to the requirements for motor yachts, these reserves may be insignificant. Still, the sail will come first.

Motor yachts

With one or two internal combustion engines, motorized vessels achieve performance levels unattainable for sailing ships speed. Moreover, having an engine on board also means increased comfort. And thanks to the presence of a motor on the ship, it is possible to accommodate many life support systems. These yachts can be of various sizes, reaching several tens of meters in length. They may have air-conditioned cabins and salons on board. They are mobile, able to swim in shallow water and are completely independent of weather conditions. The cost of such vessels is significantly higher and can reach astronomical amounts. You should also forget about the price of fuel and its high costs.

Dimensions of such ships

There is a clear division of yachts by hull size. Vessels up to 10 meters in length are mainly used for short walks over short distances. They have modestly sized cabins and a limited list of onboard amenities.
Vessels from 10 to 18 meters are most in demand all over the world. These yachts allow you to travel long distances and go out into the open sea. As a rule, they have an appropriate level of comfort.
Ships up to 24 meters have an increased level of comfort. On board they can accommodate many additional systems and devices. However, it is impossible to cope with their management on your own. A small and experienced team will be required.

Vessels over 24 meters are considered top-class yachts. Sailing on them is comparable in comfort to staying in hotels. highest category. For the comfort of their owners, such ships are equipped with swimming pools, mini-golf courses, saunas and hot tubs, and helicopter pads. And the number of team members and service personnel can reach two dozen people.

These yachts are also classified by hull design. The main options are: traditional monohull, catamaran, trimaran. As can be seen from the names, the number of hulls on such vessels can reach three (for a trimaran).
The advantages of a hull consisting of several parts: higher stability of the vessel, larger usable area and, accordingly, more opportunities for placing amenities.

Disadvantage: deterioration of controllability in difficult weather conditions.

Vacation on a yacht is not a cheap pleasure. Everyone dreams of having an island of salvation where they can sail away from everyday problems and just relax. But such a hobby, in addition to large material costs and time, also requires considerable skills. You won't get far without knowing how a yacht works. Sailors are quite inventive people. They came up with their own name for each element. Therefore, you must also become familiar with the special terminology. You can find a lot in this article useful information on the structure of the yacht and other important points.

Characteristics

Swimming equipment must be different from each other. Yacht classes are determined depending on what characteristics they have. They may differ significantly from each other. The most significant characteristics can be considered:

  • Length. The ship's performance depends on it. The longer it is, the faster it can move. This is especially true for sports yachts.
  • Width. This factor affects speed and stability. The wider the vessel, the calmer it behaves on the water and the slower it moves (due to the high water resistance). Wide yachts are usually made for sailing on the sea and ocean, as high waves can occur in such places.
  • Draft. Yachts with a shallow draft maneuver worse. They also have less stability - the ability to resist roll and return to their previous position.
  • Side height. It is important for those vessels that go to sea. The higher the board, the larger the waves it can withstand.
  • Displacement. Yachts with a higher index cope better with unpleasant weather conditions, but due to their heaviness they are less maneuverable.
  • Windage. Affects movement speed. The higher it is, the more energy the ship receives from the wind, so it moves faster.

Classification by presence of sail

Yachts differ from each other in several ways. The main thing is the presence or absence of a sail. If it is not there, then such a yacht moves due to the engine and is called a motor yacht. There is something else in between. Such a yacht has a sail, but in case of emergency it can use additional engine power.

By purpose

They are divided into racing and cruising. The first type is intended for sports competitions. They must meet certain standards. Their main characteristics are windage and weight. The maximum possible speed depends on this. This yacht has nothing superfluous. Therefore, you can hardly call it comfortable. Racing models are only needed to cover distances at maximum speed.

Cruising yachts are a completely different matter. They are designed for walking with great comfort. They are equipped with everything necessary for have a nice rest. Cruising yachts can accommodate quite a lot of people. You can live on it for more than one day. Modern ships equipped with a powerful engine can reach good speed. So you can also ride in a breeze on such models.

For long periods world travels Racing-cruising yachts are best suited. They have the minimum set to survive at sea. Plus they are quite fast. It is on these yachts that the Volvo Ocean Race, the famous round-the-world race, is held.

By seaworthiness

They are also classified according to where the ships sail. There are sea and river yachts. They differ from each other in design. Swimming equipment designed for movement in the sea must be more resistant to external influences, as there are strong storms there. Therefore, their design is usually wider and the draft is greater than that of freshwater yachts. The latter do not require such good stability.

By case type

Standard models are monohulls. But besides them there are also catamarans and trimarans. The latter have their own qualities that help during long voyages.

Yacht design

The main part of every watercraft is the hull. It is divided into 3 parts:

  • Nasal.
  • Midship.
  • Stern.

One of the important parts of the hull is the keel. There is always a bulb at its end. This is a special thickening where the main weight of the keel is located. It is needed to keep the center of gravity as low as possible. This makes the ship more stable. The larger and heavier the keel, the better the yacht copes with external influences. You should never forget about it, because it can run aground.

Also under water, in addition to the keel, there is also a rudder blade. This is an important element of the yacht’s structure, because it is used to control it. The steering wheel itself is connected to the balancer and the rudder head. Through them, force is transmitted to the rudder blade, and the yacht turns.

Upper body

The first thing people pay attention to is called the deck of the yacht. This is a horizontal surface that delimits the upper and inner space. There may be several of them. Their task is to divide the space inside the yacht. There are several types: living, battery, cargo deck. Each can be intended for different purposes.

The upper deck must completely cover the entire upper part of the yacht. It serves as a waterproof barrier. It is important for the strength of the ship. There are many important elements of the yacht on the deck. You should also familiarize yourself with them.

At the very beginning is the bow rail. This is one of the fencing elements present on the yacht. This is a rigid structure made of metal. From it along the entire body there are rails. This is also a fencing element. But only they are made of iron cable. During a storm, insurance is usually attached to them. It all ends with a stern rail.

There are hatches on the deck. They lead inside the yacht. Through them you can get to the lower deck. In case of strong winds and waves, they are sealed, so water cannot get inside.

The large superstructure that can be immediately noticed is called the deckhouse. There are various instruments that make up the ship's control and navigation system. For good review portholes are installed there.

The deck is simply the top part of the ship. And the place where people walk is called flood. It is usually made of wood or metal. It is often covered with a special non-slip coating.

One of the most important places in the upper part of the hull is the cockpit. People get here as soon as they climb the ladder on board. This is where the passengers and crew are. The helmsman's post along with the steering wheel is also located there.

Sailing weapons

Thanks to this device, the yacht can move only with the help of the wind and without the help of a motor. There are a lot of little things and other nuances here. The design of a sailing yacht is quite complex. Therefore, you need to understand it thoroughly. This system consists of several parts:

  • Sails.
  • Spar.
  • Rigging.

The Bermuda type is usually used. This is when two triangular sails are attached to the front and back. They are called jib and mainsail. The main element of a sailing yacht is the spar. This is a system that together creates the frame and mounting base for the sails. One of the parts of the spar is the mast. It also includes sheets, spreaders, booms and more. The top of the mast is called the top. The lower one, in turn, spurs. It ends at the keel of the ship and rests on the steps.

Rigging is all the gear that is attached to the spar. Thanks to them, the sails are controlled. Among them there are moving and standing elements (which are simply fixed).

Motor yachts

This type of boat does not have sailing equipment. They move using the energy of engines. This type of yacht is the most expensive. It is intended for the elite. And this is not just like that. Motor yachts have some positive aspects that make them more attractive.

The first thing I would like to note is speed. Still, the power of the engine is much greater than that of the wind. Therefore, such models will be faster. If you need to quickly cover a long distance on the water or just ride with the breeze, then motorized vessels will be preferable. Modern yachts can reach speeds of up to 40 nautical miles per hour. Pretty good if you consider that it is approximately 70 kilometers per hour.

Motor yachts are rented or purchased by VIPs. Therefore, most often they go together with professional staff who guarantee quality service and safety on the yacht.

Another advantage is comfort, which is unique to this class. Yachts with engines most often have special stabilizers that prevent the vessel from swaying so much. This means that the pitching will not be so noticeable.

Mega yachts

Man has always strived for more. Yachts are no exception. With their desire, engineers were able to create mega-yachts. Every year such vessels are awarded the Neptune Prize. To get into it, they must be at least 30 meters in length.

The most large yacht bears the proud name “Azzam”. It has a length of 180 meters. Its cost is $609 million. Despite her colossal size, she can travel at speeds of up to 30 knots. And this is a lot for such a giant.

Before Azzam was created, the Eclipse yacht of the famous entrepreneur Roman Abramovich was 162.5 meters in size. It cost the owner almost $800 million. This is one of the most expensive yachts in the world.

Dubai ranks third on the list. Its length is 160 meters and its price is $350 million.