Increase your yachting vocabulary with YachtBuyer's help. Our jargon buster delivers an A-Z directory of plain English definitions, explanations, and supporting media of the most commonly used words, acronyms, and phrases in yachting.
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The rear of the boat.
Sleeping quarters beneath the aft or rear section of the boat (sometimes called a mid-cabin when located beneath the helm).
Aground refers to a vessel that is stranded on the seabed, meaning it has run or been forced ashore and is unable to move without assistance.
Total height above the waterline of a yacht's superstructure, including aerials, radomes, etc. You need to know this before driving under a bridge.
Next to the side of a yacht. An 'alongside berth' is a place to park a yacht with its side (port or starboard) tied to the dock or quay.
Center section of a boat.
An amphibious tender is a type of small boat that can operate both on water and on land. It is designed with features that allow it to transition seamlessly between water and land, often used for transporting passengers or cargo from a larger vessel to shore or remote locations.
An anchor is a heavy metal device used to secure a boat in place by gripping the seabed, ensuring stability and preventing drifting. The anchor is held in place by the horizontal pull of anchor chain along the seabed.
A black sphere displayed on a yacht's mast or coachroof to show that the yacht is anchored
A small buoy that floats above a yacht's anchor, marking its position. It's attached to the yacht's anchor with a lightweight rope, known as a tripping line
Staying alert in case the yacht's anchor starts to drag. The crew usually take it in turns to be on anchor watch
A sheltered place in coastal waters that is suitable for anchoring
Protecting a yacht's metal underwater gear against the effects of electrolysis or galvanic corrosion, an anode is a piece of magnesium (freshwater) or zinc (saltwater) that dissolves away (hopefully) before a yacht's propeller, outdrives etc. Placed in water, close together, different metals can react and corrode, especially if electrical current is allowed to pass through these metals.
Toxic paint (usually copper-based) that is applied to the underwater parts of a yacht's hull to prevent it being 'fouled' by barnacles and seaweed.
[1] Behind, or at the back of a yacht. [2] Reverse.
Perpendicular to a boat's centreline.
A yacht's bow that is vertical from deck to the waterline, at the foremost tip and at the sides.
A drive unit, known more commonly as a pod drive, that offers independent and highly directional steerage.
Azimuthing pulling propeller. A low-drag, highly efficient type of pod thruster.
Weight added low into a boat to improve stability or trim.
A very shallow, often hazardous ridge on the sea bed where a river meets the sea. Commonly found in sandy estuaries.
A type of boat rental arrangement where the boat is hired without a skipper/captain or crew.
A platform that extends from the back of a yacht's hull at sea level. Used for boarding the yacht from a tender as well as for swimming.
A relaxation area at the stern of a large yacht, next to the bathing platform. Usually has a cocktail bar, barbecue grill and sun loungers.
A beachlander is a type of specialized amphibious vessel designed to transport passengers and cargo from the water directly onto a beach or shore. It typically features a ramp or bow door that can be lowered to facilitate easy access and disembarkation.
A navigational marker fixed to a rock or the sea bed, usually on a pole or gantry.
Measurement of a boat at its widest point. Also, a transmitted radio, sonar or radar signal.
Waves hitting the yacht side-on, which will often cause a rolling, seasick-inducing motion, especially at slow speeds.
To turn away from the wind.
Direction, measured with a compass and given in degrees. A key element of navigation. A 'magnetic' bearing is read straight off the compass and is relative to the magnetic north pole. A 'true' bearing is a magnetic bearing that has been adjusted to allow for magnetic deviation, and is relative to the true (geographic) north pole.
The lower-level accommodation area(s) inside a yacht and below the main deck. Also often called 'down below'.
[1] A bed in a yacht; [2] a place to park a yacht in a harbour or marina (usually called a 'slip' in the US). 'Berthing' means parking.
A yacht construction material made of fibres that are laid in two different directions.
This is either 'A loop in a rope' or 'a broad, open bay on a stretch of coast'
This is either 'The bottom, underwater part of a yacht's hull (inside or outside)' or 'Spoken rubbish or nonsense'
A foldable awning that can be deployed for shade or shelter. Often found on a yacht's flybridge.
A canvas cover over the helm or cockpit area.
Vertical post extending above the deck to secure docking lines.
Forward portion of a boat.
A propeller embedded in a yacht's bow, pointing sideways and powered by an electric or hydraulic motor. It's used to steer the yacht accurately at slow speeds in tight, awkward spaces such as a small harbour.
A runabout boat with open-bow seating.
A type of parking space for a yacht, common in marinas in the Netherlands, the Baltic and some other non-tidal yachting areas. One end of the yacht – usually but not always the bow – is tied to a dock and the other end – usually the stern – is tied to two wooden posts, one on each side.
The control room of a ship or superyacht, containing the primary helm (driver's seat) and navigator's station.
The main accommodation area of a catamaran, above and between the two hulls. [2] the deck on board a multi-decked yacht that houses the yachts bridge/pilot house.
Wood on a boat that has been coated in a clear paint called varnish. The wood needs regular varnishing and sanding, and sanding and varnishing to look at its very best. One of the jobs best left to the crew.
A load-bearing structure inside a yacht, which also usually serves as a dividing wall between two rooms, cabins or areas.
A wall around the edge of a yacht's main deck to prevent people falling overboard. Usually around waist-high.
The cheapest grade of fuel, used by ships and superyachts. A tar-like substance, it's solid at room temperature and needs to be heated before it can be used. Produces a great deal of toxic air pollution.
Refuelling (and sometimes also taking on water).
Long carpeted sections of a boat trailer that support the boat's weight. Or, single sleeping berths, usually one over the other.
An anchored floating object that serves as a navigation aid. Also used to mark a mooring spot.
A small flag, often triangular, flown from the side of a yacht's mast or superstructure. Usually flown to identify the yacht's owner as a member of a yacht club or owners' association.
A cabin refers to an enclosed space within the yacht that serves as a room for passengers or crew. Basic cabins on boats are typically equipped with essential amenities such as sleeping berths, and storage compartments.
On large, luxurious yachts, cabins are often equipped with en-suite facilities, dressing rooms, and other amenities.
This can be either:
The chain or strong rope between a yacht and its anchor
or
A measure of distance: one tenth of a nautical mile, or 100 fathoms (600ft)
A yacht with two hulls also refered to as a Multihull.
A problem with air interfering with a propeller's normal operation. When a propeller is driven too fast, it vapourises the water around it and loses its grip.
A chartplotter is an electronic navigation device. It combines a GPS receiver with an electronic navigational chart display, enabling the user to accurately plot and follow their course. Chartplotters provide real-time information about a vessel's position, speed, and direction.
A chase boat tender, often referred to simply as a chase boat, is a smaller vessel designed to support and accompany a larger yacht. It is used for various purposes, including providing transportation for guests and crew, carrying supplies and equipment, and offering additional recreational activities such as fishing or water sports.
A place where the cross-sectional shape of a yacht's hull changes abruptly from one angle to another, forming an edge as opposed to a curve. An acute angle forms a 'hard chine' while an obtuse angle produces a 'soft chine'.
A classic tender refers to a traditional small boat that serves as a support vessel for transporting people and supplies between a larger yacht and the shore. Typically characterized by timeless design elements and craftsmanship, classic tenders often complement the aesthetics of the main yacht.
A sturdy metal fitting bolted to the deck of a yacht, used to attach mooring lines.
The top (exterior) surface of a yacht's superstructure.
A raised edge around the cockpit seats, which helps to prevent people from falling out in rough or choppy seas.
The last stage of a yacht's build process, when all the technical systems are hooked up, tested and calibrated, and the yacht is made ready to go to sea.
The main staircase leading from a yacht's cockpit or salon to the accommodation on the lower deck(s).
Navigational term – the direction in which a yacht is moving, measured on a compass and given in degrees. Guide for Navigation at Sea
Accommodation for a professional skipper or crew aboard a large yacht, separated from the owner and guest cabins. Usually in the aft part of the lower deck, next to the engine room.
Waves coming from several directions. You're guaranteed a bumpy, rolly ride.
A unique yacht designed and built as a one-off, as opposed to a 'series-produced', 'semi-custom' or 'production' yacht, which is made on a factory production line to a standard hull design. The term is now used very loosely, so true custom yachts are marketed as 'full custom' yachts.
A modern hull shape that is intended to combine the benefits of a full displacement hull – seaworthiness and fuel economy at slow speeds – with the high speed potential of a planing hull.
Part of a yacht's safety equipment: a float, pole and flag that is thrown into the sea when someone falls overboard, to mark their position
A pair of mini cranes overhanging a yacht's stern, designed to lift the yacht's tender out of the water. Tenders are often stored in davits when they're not in use. Large modern yachts often have a tender garage instead of davits.
The inside of a yacht's coachroof – in effect, the ceiling.
A dining table with seating around it, or on opposite sides.
A dinghy is a small, open boat, often used as a tender for transportation between a larger vessel and the shore. Dinghies can be inflatable or made of materials such as wood, aluminum, or fiberglass. They are commonly used for short-distance travel, water sports, fishing, and recreational activities, providing a convenient and portable means of transportation on the water.
An important measurement – the total weight of a yacht (or more pedantically, the mass of water that it displaces). Displacement has a direct impact on speed and fuel economy, among other things.
A traditional hull shape that can't go fast but is very seaworthy and efficient at slow speeds, when it uses less fuel than a semi-displacement or planing hull that is driven at the same speed. Also called a full displacement hull.
For more informaion read our guide on Yacht hull types explained or search for Displacement Hull yachts for sale
A dock is a designated area along a shoreline or body of water that is used for the loading, unloading, and mooring of ships, yachts, and boats. It serves as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for passengers and cargo, providing a stable platform for various maritime activities.
A fabric panel or awning that prevents passengers from getting splashed by waves or spray.
A double bed.
The accommodation area inside a yacht, below the main deck. Also often called 'below decks'.
The depth of a yacht's hull at its deepest point – very important to know this for safe navigation.
A yacht's bow that slopes forwards from the deck down to the waterline, rather than sloping aft. Named after the Dreadnought class of warship, which was common in the early 20th century.
A dry dock is a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a ship to be floated in, then drained to allow work on the ship's hull.
A simple sonar device that calculates the depth of water underneath a yacht. Crucial for navigation.
The uppermost deck of a yacht where she can be steered from which is enclosed, either by glass, superstructure or removable fabric/vinyl panels.
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A flag flown off the rear end of a yacht to show its nationality. In some countries, such as the UK, Netherlands and Denmark, upper-class yacht owners who belong to exclusive clubs fly a 'defaced' ensign to advertise their superior social status.
An increasingly popular style of superyacht or large motor yacht that is designed to cross oceans, cope with storms, cruise in remote areas and remain self-sufficient for long periods of time. Expedition yachts often have a helipad, huge fuel tanks, an icebreaker bow and a full displacement hull.
A deck fitting that brings a rope, chain or cable into the correct alignment for a winch or windlass.
A navigational channel, usually marked by port-and-starboard lateral buoys and always shown on nautical charts, which leads in and out of a harbour – the equivalent of a road in coastal waters. You mustn't anchor in a fairway and when using one, it's wise to keep an eye out for other boats, yachts and shipping.
A unit of length traditionally used to describe depths of water. One fathom is six feet.
A soft, squishy air-filled bumper for use in harbour. Fenders are hung over the sides of a yacht to stop the hull from bashing or scraping against the dock or quay.
A docking manoeuvre used in rivers and tidal waters. By precisely balancing a yacht's heading and speed while motoring into the tide or current, a yacht can be made to 'ferry glide' sideways.
The distance of open water between you and the nearest land, in an upwind direction. Fetch is important because it determines the sea state. In simplistic terms: the longer the fetch, the bigger the waves.
The most common basic hull material. Thin strands of glass are made into a mat and mixed with polyester resin. Fibreglass (also called glassfibre) is easily moulded to form the shape of a hull and is strong, durable and relatively inexpensive.
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A sharp-pointed bow designed to cut through waves with the minimum of drag. The downside of a fine entry is less space for accommodation in the yacht's bow. The opposite is a 'broad entry', which many yachts have but the term is rarely used.
A parking space for a yacht in a marina, where one side of the yacht is tied to a short floating pontoon fixed at right angles to the main dock.
The first mate, also known as the chief mate, is the second in command on a yacht. They assist the captain in managing the crew and maintaining the vessel's operations. The first mate's responsibilities may include overseeing navigation, and crew management, as well as ensuring compliance with safety and maritime regulations.
A fisher yacht is a type of yacht designed and equipped for fishing activities, often combining the luxurious amenities of a yacht with the functionality of a fishing boat. These yachts typically feature specialized fishing gear, storage for fishing equipment, and ample deck space for angling.
A type of sonar used by fishermen to locate their prey.
The process of getting a yacht ready for the season. Fitting out generally happens in spring.
A yacht's bow that has a concave shape – often intended to deflect spray away from the flybridge and cockpit – is said to be flared. Many classic yachts and speedboats have very obviously flared bows.
A tide that's coming in – water getting deeper.
An open-air upper deck on a yacht's cabin top with a secondary helm station, plus seating and lounging areas.
For more information read our guides on What is a Flybridge Yacht?
A design feature found on many modern superyachts, giving owners and guests a commanding view of the sea from their cabins or deck.
Waves travelling in the same direction as the yacht, giving a relatively smooth ride.
Forward cabin – a cabin in the bow of a yacht. In medium-size yachts it's often the largest cabin on board. Comfortable in port but not when the yacht is under way, especially in choppy seas.
An open-air seating area built into a yacht's foredeck – like the bow rider seats in a small speedboat.
The distance between the waterline and the top of the yacht's hull to the yacht's maindeck/toerail.
A traditional hull shape that can't go fast but is very seaworthy and efficient at slow speeds, when it uses less fuel than a semi-displacement or planing hull that is driven at the same speed. Also called a 'displacement hull'.
A large, lavish bedroom that occupies the full width of the yacht.
Glass reinforced plastic – aka glassfibre or fibreglass.
A yacht's kitchen.
A gentleman's launch is a type of small motorboat characterized by its elegant and classic design. Traditionally associated with luxury and sophistication, these launches typically feature woodwork, brass fittings, and a stylish, streamlined appearance. Gentleman's launches are often used for leisurely cruising and transportation to and from larger yachts, offering passengers a refined and nostalgic boating experience reminiscent of a bygone era of maritime elegance.
A yacht that's even bigger than a megayacht. For more information read out guide on Yachts, Superyachts, Megayachts & Gigayachts
The most common basic hull material. Thin strands of glass are made into a mat and mixed with polyester resin. Glassfibre (also called fibreglass) is easily moulded to form the shape of a hull and is strong, durable and relatively inexpensive.
A fence (usually made of steel tubing) around the edge of a yacht's deck to prevent passengers falling into the sea.
Steel wires forming a fence around the edge of a yacht's deck to prevent passengers falling into the sea. Also known as lifelines.
The uppermost edge of a yacht's hull sides, usually at deck level.
A plate or stamp recording a vessel's manufacture, including serial number, country, month and year of build, as well as model year. See also WIN (Watercraft Identification Number)
A harbor master is an official responsible for overseeing the operations and safety within a harbor or port. Their duties often include managing vessel traffic, enforcing maritime regulations, ensuring the security of the harbor, and coordinating the arrival and departure of ships.
Additionally, harbor masters play a crucial role in emergency response situations, maintaining navigational aids, and facilitating the smooth operation of maritime activities within their jurisdiction.
A motorcruiser with an enclosed salon and no flybridge – but usually a nice big sunroof.
Waves hitting the yacht head-on. Progress against a head sea will be slow and probably uncomfortable.
An important measurement in yacht interiors, especially for tall people. Headroom is the distance between the sole (floor) and the deckhead (ceiling). In smaller yachts, aggressively sleek styling often comes at the expense of headroom.
A toilet or bathroom on a boat.
The steering wheel and driver's seat of a yacht, with all navigational instruments and control panels to hand.
The length of a yacht's hull excluding protrusions such as pulpits, anchors, davits and bathing platforms.
A design feature around the propellers in the hull: the tunnel is a concave channel in the bottom of the hull. It's designed to catch air when the yacht is planing and provide aerodynamic lift.
Inboard performance system – a highly efficient type of forward-facing propeller invented and marketed by Volvo.
A yacht designed to cruise in polar regions where it's likely to encounter sea ice and may have to navigate through pack ice. To be an ice class yacht, it must meet the hull strength specifications of a classification society such as DNV GL.
An important safety feature to prevent crew being lost at sea: a pair of strong webbing tapes attached to the deck of a yacht, running from the cockpit along the sidedecks to the foredeck. The crew clip their safety harness tethers to the jackstays when they go out on deck in rough weather.
A jetty is a structure, typically made of wood, concrete, or metal, that extends from the shore into a body of water. Jetties are constructed to control the flow of currents and sediment and to protect the coastline from erosion. They often serve as a landing place for boats and yachts, providing a secure and sheltered area for docking.
The central ridge at the bottom of a yacht's hull, pointing downwards. Some full-displacement yachts have ballast (weight, often lead) in their keels to improve their stability.
The standard marine measurement of speed. One knot is one nautical mile per hour.
Length overall – the total length of a yacht including things that stick out past the bow and stern, such as pulpits and bathing platforms.
Length on deck – usually measured from the front end of the foredeck to the rear end of the cockpit.
Latitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the earth's surface. It is measured in degrees, with the equator serving as the starting point at 00 degrees latitude. Lines of latitude run parallel to the equator and are used to locate positions in the north-south direction.
A storage locker in the cockpit of a yacht.
A mooring system used in many non-tidal yacht harbours where the yachts are moored perpendicular to the quay, so-called because it's a lot easier than the traditional 'Med mooring' technique which relies on a yacht's own anchor. One end of the lazy line is attached to the quay, the other end is anchored to the bottom of the harbour roughly three boat lengths from the quay. To use it, you drive up to the quay, then pick up the lazy line with a boathook and walk it back to the stern of the yacht and tie it off there.
The wires that form a fence around the edge of a yacht's deck to prevent passengers falling into the sea. Also known as guardwires.
The last resort for the crew or passengers of a sinking yacht. Liferafts are designed to inflate automatically when thrown into the sea, and should contain emergency rations to keep their occupants alive, pending rescue.
A limousine tender is a high-end, luxurious type of tender often found on superyachts. It is designed to provide a sophisticated and comfortable transportation experience for guests, akin to that of a luxury limousine.
A lobster boat is a type of specialized fishing vessel designed specifically for catching lobsters. These boats are equipped with features that facilitate lobster fishing, such as storage for traps or pots, hauling equipment, and sometimes live-well systems to keep the catch fresh.
Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the earth's surface. It is measured in degrees, with lines of longitude running vertically from the North Pole to the South Pole.
The Greenwich Meridian, located at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, is universally recognized as the prime meridian of the world. It is designated as the starting point for measuring both eastern and western longitudes, and it serves as the reference point for the global coordinate system. The longitude of the Greenwich Meridian is 000 degrees.
In the realm of luxury yachts, a master suite, or owner's suite, refers to the most lavish and spacious cabin on the vessel. This suite is typically reserved for the principal occupant or owner and is designed to offer the utmost comfort and privacy. It often includes an expansive bedroom, a private bathroom, and sometimes additional amenities such as a private lounge, dressing area, or even a study.
A yacht mooring (parking) technique that's common in non or low tidal waters, especially in the Mediterranean. The yacht deploys an anchor or picks up a bowline and reverses up to the quay, where the crew tie its stern lines to a couple of bollards.
Another term for a superyacht, sometimes considered to be bigger than a superyacht. For more information read our guide on Yachts, Superyachts, Megayachts & Gigayachts
A cabin that is situated roughly in the middle (between the front and the back) of the yacht.
A yacht with one hull, rather than two or three. Most yachts are monohulls.
This can meen either:
Parking – tying a boat to either a dock or a buoy, as opposed to anchoring
or
The buoy a yacht can be attached to.
For more information read our guide on Choosing the best place to keep your yacht
A rope used to tie a yacht to a dock or quay.
A motorcat, or motor catamaran, is a twin-hull design vessel, powered primarily by motors or engines. Catamarans are known for their stability, spaciousness, and fuel efficiency, making them popular choices for both leisure cruising and long-distance voyages.
A relatively weak tide – the one with the smallest range in the lunar tide cycle.
Waterproof jacket and trousers.
An open boat is a type of boat that lacks a cabin or any form of permanent roofed structure. These boats are typically characterized by their simple and unenclosed design, offering a spacious and versatile platform for various water-based activities. Open boats are commonly used for recreational purposes, such as fishing, day trips, and water sports.
An open tender typically refers to a small boat without a roof or cabin, designed for transporting passengers and goods between a larger vessel and the shore. Its open design allows for easy access and versatility, making it suitable for various leisure activities and practical functions during yacht excursions and travels.
A nasty patch of very steep, breaking waves generated by a fast tidal flow and often made much worse by a strong wind blowing in the opposite direction. It's usually uncomfortable to go through a patch of overfalls – and can be dangerous.
The biggest, best and most lavishly appointed cabin on board. Usually has the best view out, too.
POA is the acronym for the phrase 'Price on application'
A roped walkway fixed to the yacht to assist boarding from a dockside, usually at the stern. Yacht walkways can be fixed or telescopic and able adjust their height and often reach.
A picnic boat is a type of small recreational motorboat designed for leisurely outings and day trips. These boats are typically equipped with amenities such as comfortable seating, a small table, and storage for picnic essentials, making them ideal for casual gatherings and relaxing excursions on the water. Picnic boats often feature a simple and functional design that prioritizes comfort and convenience, allowing passengers to enjoy the surrounding scenery and share meals while cruising along waterways or coastlines.
A bed in or near the wheelhouse of a yacht for use by the offwatch crew.
A pilothouse, also known as a wheelhouse, is an enclosed structure on the deck of a boat or ship that serves as the primary control center for navigation and operation. It typically houses the ship's steering controls, navigational instruments, and communication equipment, providing a sheltered workspace for the captain and crew during voyages. The pilot house is strategically positioned to provide clear visibility of the surrounding water, ensuring safe and efficient navigation even in adverse weather conditions.
Also known as aquaplaning. When a yacht's hull reaches a certain speed, it starts rising up and skimming – planing – along the surface of the water, rather than pushing through it.
A hull that's designed to lift at speed, or plane. Planing hulls are efficient at high speeds, reducing the wetted area and so drag.
A propulsion unit mounted underneath the hull, with an independent steering motor, making the drive highly manoeuvrable.
A floating dock.
Port is the left-hand side of or direction from a vessel, facing forward.
A walkway with high protection that separates the foredeck from the the wheelhouse and superstructure.
A powerboat is a type of boat or watercraft that is powered by an engine, usually an outboard, inboard, or stern-drive motor. Powerboats come in various sizes and designs, ranging from small recreational vessels to larger, high-speed boats designed for racing or cruising. They are popular for activities such as water sports, fishing, and leisurely cruising, offering speed and maneuverability on the water.
A platform that folds down and outwards to give an owner's suite or VIP cabin a private deck outside the yacht for swimming or relaxation.
A bed that folds up against the side of the hull, (or a bulkhead or cabin wall) when it's not in use.
This refers to four separate external layers of deck, and so is only found on large vessels.
A rigid inflatable boat, often referred to as an RIB, is a lightweight but durable boat with a solid, shaped hull and flexible inflatable tubes or collars around the sides. This design combines the stability and efficiency of a traditional hard-hulled boat with the buoyancy and impact-absorption capabilities of inflatable tubes.
A mooring (parking) technique that's often used in busy harbours. When there's no more room for yachts to tie up alongside the quay, they tie up to a yacht that's already there. In the most popular harbours it's not unheard of for a dozen yachts to raft up next to each other, which can cause stress when the yacht on the inside needs to leave at six o'clock in the morning.
A large, fixed, overhead shower, usually situated near the bathing platform or beach club.
A foredeck shape that's currently in vogue. It slopes down towards the bow, rather than up.
The chain or heavy-duty rope between a yacht and its anchor. Also called a cable.
A sacrificial strip added to the side of a yacht to reduce the likelihood of scuffing or scraping the topsides when coming alongside, going through a lock, using a box berth or rafting up. It's usually made of rubber or plastic, with older yachts using hardwood.
Running lights on a yacht are a set of lights that aid in making the vessel more visible to other boats or ships whilst underway and making way, during periods of reduced visibility, such as at night or in poor visibility.
They include red and green lights on the port and starboard side respectively, with an arc of 112.5 degrees; a white 'steaming' light for the forward arc of 225 degrees (112.5 degrees on the port side through dead ahead to 112.5 degrees on the starboard side for a total of 225 degrees forward), in addition to a white light on the stern, with an arc of 135 degrees.
Where the waves are passing from the aft (rear) of the yacht towards the bow. Care has to be taken to avoid surfing down the waves and turning the yacht with her side to the sea.
Seeman Composites Resin Infusion Moulding Process – a common boatbuilding technique used in hull construction. SCRIMP uses a vacuum to pull liquid resin into a dry lay-up material such as fibreglass or carbon fibre. Very similar to the generic term 'vacuum infusion'.
A Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) rescue tender refers to a specific type of tender that adheres to international maritime safety regulations. These tenders are designed and equipped to meet rigorous safety requirements, making them suitable for use in emergency situations and rescue operations at sea.
The main communal living space inside a yacht – effectively the sitting room. Also called the saloon (UK).
A bow that curves and protrudes forward from the points at which it meets the waterline and the deck.
Ability to cope with rough weather at sea. A yacht with good sea-keeping qualities is 'sea-kindly'.
A balcony area, usually one that folds out of the yachts side, that is close to the water.
This can mean either;
A short trip to show a prospective buyer that a yacht is in good working order, or to demonstrate its performance and handling.
or
Part of the commissioning process for a new yacht, taking it to sea to check that everything works as it should.
The marine version of a stopcock, fitted to through-hull pipework such as the engine raw water intake, sink discharge pipes and so on.
A yacht with a standard, series-produced hull and a custom interior. The term is used loosely; many series production boatbuilders market themselves as semi-custom shipyards.
A popular, general-purpose hull shape designed to perform efficiently at slow speeds, like a full displacement hull, and also at high speeds, like a planing hull. In truth, it's not quite as fuel-efficient as a full displacement hull and doesn't plane quite as well as a planing hull, but it does offer the best compromise between the two. Semi-displacement hulls also tend to be quite seaworthy. For more information read our guide Yacht hull types explained or search for a Semi-Displacement Yachts For Sale.
A shadow vessel, or support vessel, accompanies a larger yacht, providing additional storage, equipment, and logistical support. It serves as a practical solution for carrying tenders, water toys, helicopters, and other amenities that might not fit on the main yacht. The shadow vessel allows the primary yacht to maintain a sleek and uncluttered appearance while ensuring that all necessary equipment and recreational facilities are readily accessible to guests.
The classic motorboat drivetrain: a propeller shaft is joined to the engine's drive shaft at one end and the propeller is mounted on the other end. It passes through the hull via a waterproof stern gland and cutlass bearing.
The first time a yacht is used at the beginning of a new boating season. The shakedown cruise is usually a short trip, undertaken to check that all systems are in full working order.
This can mean either;
The longitudinal curve of the deck when viewed from the side of the yacht
or
To swing from side to side while at anchor.
The narrow walkways outside a yacht's superstructure, usually leading from the cockpit to the foredeck.
The uppermost deck, usually found on a superyacht, without a helm station, that is enclosed on all sides and overhead but with access to an open deck.
The uppermost deck, usually found on a superyacht, without a helm station, that can open on all sides.
A period in the tide cycle when there isn't any current flowing. It often (but not always) coincides with High Water and Low Water.
