boat vs yacht difference

Yachts vs. Boats: What are the Differences?

Table of Contents

Last Updated on April 13, 2022 by Boatsetter Team

Many people use the words “boat” and “yacht” interchangeably, and some lean on the latter to make their ride sound more impressive. But what are the key differences between boats and yachts?

First, let’s look at some broad definitions of a boat, a yacht, and other related vessels.

• “Boat” can refer to just about any kind of vessel— towboat , fishing boat , center console , houseboat , and so on.
• “Dinghy” designates a small boat with a human or wind means of propulsion including a rowing dinghy or sailing dinghy. It also refers to a tender to a bigger boat or yacht.
• “Ship” is a large commercial boat, often used for distance travel and transport of goods or passengers – cruise ship, container ship, etc.
• “Yacht” is typically a larger boat with luxury amenities used as a recreational vessel— motor yacht , sailing yacht .
• “Superyacht” is a large yacht and is often also called a mega yacht . The delineation used to be at 80-feet but again, with today’s size creep, anything under 100 feet would just simply be called a yacht.

So, yacht or boat? Let’s dive deeper into the elements that differentiate a boat from a yacht.

Own a Boat or a Yacht? Learn How to Offset the Cost of Ownership by Listing on Boatsetter

Size of the Vessel

Some place a hard line at 35 feet. Below that, you have a boat and above, it’s a yacht. However, that’s an artificial differentiator.

Just 30 years ago, a 30-foot boat was considered large and could have been a yacht but as recreational boats grow longer, the term yacht has been pushed up the scale.

That said, a well-kept 40-foot boat designed for recreation can technically still be called a yacht (although larger vessels are likely to cost more, price isn’t a good indicator of yacht status primarily because it fluctuates with brand, age, and amenities).

Check out local yacht rentals near you to understand how size plays a difference.

What it’s Used For

A yacht is a vessel designed for recreational purposes. It generally operates on open waters (rather than small lakes or rivers) and has accommodations for overnight guests.

A cruise ship, on the other hand, accommodates a large number of passengers in a commercial setting whereas a yacht carries a smaller number (of paying or non-paying) passengers for private recreation.

Onboard Technology

Advanced technology for navigation, communications, and system operation as well as redundant systems for safety can be found on a yacht that is likely to venture farther.

Again, there are caveats because today’s towboats that are fun day boats also feature technology such as GPS and digital switching that integrates many electrical and electronic features.

Propulsion Types

This is a tricky one. “Yacht” comes from the Dutch word “jaght” which referred to a sailing vessel that was used by the navy to capture pirate ships and later for recreation by the affluent.

Today, a yacht can be a large sailing vessel or a motor yacht. All larger yachts will have a motor for propulsion whether they have sails or not. Sailboats by design have smaller motors so trying to put a horsepower minimum on yacht propulsion is simply inaccurate.

Some define a yacht as having multiple crews to operate the vessel and tend to passengers or guests. The larger the yacht, the more crew will be required to navigate, maintain and service the vessel. That said, a couple who owns a 50-footer can call their boat a yacht although it’s owner-operated.

Luxury and Amenities

This is perhaps the best measure of a yacht. If the vessel offers accommodations, a galley , a head , and is luxurious in its presentation, it’s most likely a yacht.

That said, there are lots of center console fishing boats and towboats that are pretty nicely equipped these days and they wouldn’t be called a yacht.

All yachts are boats, but not all boats are yachts—and the lines are blurry. The word yacht elicits images of posh seafaring experiences while a boat evokes ideas of fun and perhaps work. Do some research to learn what size and type of boat or yacht is best for you .

To a degree, the point at which a boat becomes a yacht is in the ear of the beholder but if you focus on size, amenities, and the type of use, you’ll be able to discern the difference. Then all that remains is to find a way to spend time and have fun on any kind of vessel.

Browse All Available Boat & Yacht Rentals Across the Globe

Zuzana Prochazka is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen sailing and powerboating magazines and online publications including Southern Boating, SEA, Latitudes & Attitudes and SAIL. She is SAIL magazines Charter Editor and the Executive Director of Boating Writers International. Zuzana serves as judge for SAIL’s Best Boats awards and for Europe’s Best of Boats in Berlin. 

A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana founded and manages a flotilla charter organization called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations worldwide. 

Zuzana has lived in Europe, Africa and the United States and has traveled extensively in South America, the islands of the South Pacific and Mexico. 

Browse by experience

Explore articles

Get your party started with boatsetter.

Four boating technology blogs to follow

6 Best Beaches on Sanibel Island to Explore by Boat

Ten Holiday Gifts Every Boater Will Love

Click on the button to load the content from www.googletagmanager.com.

Load content

• Tailored Vacation Planner
• Cabin Yacht Charter
• Family Sailing Holidays
• Romantic Sailing Vacations For Couples
• Sailing with friends
• Greece all inclusive yacht charter
• Croatia all inclusive yacht charter
• Food & Wine Routes
• Yacht search
• Luxury sailing

Boat vs. Ship vs Yacht: What’s the Difference?

Language is a tricky thing, and picking out the differences between similar terms can be confusing. This is especially true when some of the definitions overlap. This is the case with the case of boat vs. ship vs. yacht . What’s the difference? We know in our gut that there are differences between these three seafaring vessels, but unless you’re a harbor master do you really know what counts as what?

Let’s get into some definitions, and we’re going to start with the easiest to explain: What is a yacht? What is a ship? And what is a boat?

Yacht vs. Ship vs. Boat

What is a yacht.

A yacht, I think everyone would agree, is fancier than a ship or a boat. “Yacht” infers some amount of luxury , and definitely recreation. There’s also something to be said about size. A yacht tends to be anywhere between 35 feet up to 160 feet. And some yachts, known as superyachts, go even beyond that. (Jeff Bezos just built a 417 foot yacht, but that’s really breaking yacht records.)

Because of the size, yachts tend to operate in larger bodies of water–generally the ocean. Yachts are able to handle rougher ocean waves, and they are also equipped with more advanced navigation and guidance instruments than smaller boats. Likewise, a yacht tends to have a full crew to help with the navigation, engineering, repairs, as well as having stewards that serve the yacht’s guests. This can be anywhere from a crew of four or five up to a crew of a few dozen on large yachts. 

One interesting thing to note is that outside of the United States, a yacht refers to a sailboat , and a motorized yacht is called a “motor yacht”. 

So, is a yacht a boat? Yes, technically a yacht is a boat. But a yacht is a very specific kind of boat.

Want to hop aboard?

Book your dream sailing vacation in top sailing destinations!

• Explore your charter options

What is a Ship?

The term ship is most commonly associated with a very large boat, and something that is not as fancy as a yacht (one exception is that cruise ships can still be very fancy, but are referred to as ships because of their size and power.)

Ships are generally so large that they would never be found in a lake, with some exceptions for the Great Lakes, and are made for navigating the high seas of the open ocean. An ship can refer to a cruise ship, a naval ship, a tanker, a container ship, and many other commercial vessels.

Ships tend to have advanced navigation and technology, but much more advanced than that of a yacht due to the size, the speed, and the routes that a ship will take. They are meant to be traversing the open ocean for very long periods of time, from one continent to the next, while a yacht may only rarely set across the ocean and most often stays somewhat near land. 

A ship will also have a much larger crew than a yacht or a boat. Ships are typically so large that they need not only one trained navigator but a set of navigators, plus an entire engineering team, and includes many more positions. 

Finally, a ship is meant to carry things. This may be passengers, yes (in reference to cruise ships and some navy ships) but most ships are for carrying cargo–or even carrying equipment to do work on other ships including repair work or refueling. 

What is a Boat?

Well, a boat is harder to define, because a yacht is technically a boat, and a ship is technically a boat. But when people refer to boats, they are almost always referring to something smaller than either a yacht or a ship. Boats may be motorized, like a speed boat, or they may sail, or they may be man-powered, like a rowboat or a kayak. Really, anything up to and including a liferaft, can be called a boat.

(As a side note that will just muddy the waters even further, submarine captains are adamant that their subs are boats. They are not ships.)

So, Boat vs. Ship Vs. Yacht?

Ultimately it comes down to this: all three of them are boats, but yachts are fancier, larger, and used for recreation, and ships are even larger, used commercially or by the navy, and are meant to cross oceans. The dividing line is sometimes thin, but generally speaking, when it comes to boats vs. ships.vs. yachts you can go by the adage “ I know it when I see it .”

Share article:

Have a question.

We have answers to your questions. So don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today!

• GET MORE INFO

Feel free to ask us anything. All hands on deck. Let's sail

Thank you for sending us an inquiry, thank you so much for your enquiry.

• Pontoon Boats
• Personal Watercraft
• nauticalknowhow
• Nautical Knots
• Tools and Calculators

Yacht vs Boat: What’s the Difference?

You may be surprised to learn that the difference between a yacht and a typical boat is not as easy to figure out as you’d think. This is thanks to the fact that there’s no specific definition for what a yacht actually is. In general, and as most people commonly use and understand these words, a yacht is a fast, often luxurious vessel used for recreational purposes. A boat, on the other hand, is typically a smaller vessel and it can have many purposes from recreation to fishing to rescue and more. 

Let’s get into some of the specific differences between yachts and boats to get a better idea of what each of these admittedly general terms is trying to refer to.

What is a Yacht?

Yacht comes from a Dutch word jaghte , itself from the word jaghtschip which means “fast pirate ship.” That gives you an idea of where people’s heads were at when yachts first came on the scene. These days, the pirate part isn’t really involved but you do tend to expect a yacht to have some speed. Not that these are necessarily speed boats all the time, but there are racing yachts out there that people use exclusively for that purpose. 

Because there is no specific definition for the word yacht in modern usage, you have to play it by ear a little bit. It’s one of those words that we all know what it means, even if we don’t have a proper, set in stone definition.

In general, and for most people, a yacht is a large recreational boat, capable of reaching high speeds and noted for its luxury and features. So what does any of that mean?

In terms of size, most people but not all would consider a yacht to be a boat that has reached at least 78 feet. Some people would acknowledge smaller vessels, as low as even 33 feet, as yachts, but this can be hotly debated even among yacht makers and yacht charter companies. 

What is a Boat?

One of the oldest words in any language, boat can be traced back through Middle English to Olde English to proto-Germanic to the proto-IndoEuropean word “bheid” where it may have originally meant “to split” or something along those lines. That would have referred to simply splitting or hollowing wood to make a boat. So, by that definition, a boat is incredibly loosely defined. 

In modern understanding a yacht is a boat but not all boats are yachts. Consider boat more of an overarching term like automobile while yacht is like an SUV. There are lots of other automobiles and SUV is just one kind.

Usually when people talk about boats today they mean smaller vessels. At some point, large boats become ships, and potentially even a yacht. Smaller boats could be anything from a fishing boat to a jon boat to a sailboat , a bass boat , catamaran , pontoon boat and more. Those boats often have very different forms and functions which allow for a heck of a lot of variety and usage.

Yacht Size vs Boat Size

As we mentioned above, people have different opinions about how big a yacht has to be. The bare minimum seems to be at least 33 feet. That said,I have even seen smaller boats called yachts but let’s say, at a minimum, any vessel under 30 feet will always be a boat of some kind and would rarely if ever be properly called a yacht.

Larger boats exist and are not yachts, of course, but these can be sport fishing boats, catamarans, even large pontoons, houseboats and more. 

Yachts can start at that low range and get up to incredible sizes which we will touch on in a moment. The largest yachts can get close to 600 feet. 

Mega Yachts vs Larger Boats

Once a yacht hits 120 feet people often call it a super yacht. There doesn’t seem to be an easy to find historical reason why 120 feet is the cut off that makes a super yacht. As yachts grew even larger, 200 feet became a sort of milestone for where a superyacht became a mega yacht. And nowadays, with even bigger yachts available, 400 feet is where the cut off often begins for yachts known as gigayachts. 

Now, when it comes to large boats, here’s where things get fuzzy. You can find sport fishing boats that are over 120 feet, or sailboats that reach the same length and much bigger. But these are often also called yachts. Sailing yachts, sport fishing yachts. So there’s a line there that boats can straddle even if, under a certain length, the same boats wouldn’t be considered yachts. 

Part of the transition from boat to yacht at large sizes comes from the fact that a massive boat is obviously expensive which means more luxury features are likely to be included which means it’s more likely to be considered a yacht.

But large commercial vessels, military and law enforcement vessels, and some search and rescue vessels used by government agencies or private companies can also reach lengths of 60 feet to 100 feet and more and these would obviously never be called yachts. It’s that key feature of being used for recreation that you need to factor in.

Yacht Engines vs Boat Engines

Obviously a sailing yacht won’t factor in here but motor yachts and hybrid yachts have very powerful engines because yachts tend to have a much higher gross tonnage than your average boat of even the same length. Keep in mind that some yachts, especially mega yachts, may have up to seven decks. You need a lot of power to keep that moving. Some of the biggest yachts in the world have a fuel tank capable of holding up to a million liters. That’s going to leave your normal outboard motors in the dust.

Boat Crew vs Yacht Crew

Yacht crews are often found wearing uniforms and have specialized training not just to run the vessel but also to see to the needs of the guests. Since yachts are often characters, the guests on board are like guests at a hotel and treated as such. Large yachts are a lot like a private cruise service.

Boats don’t always even need a crew and if a boat does have a crew it probably means the boat is a commercial vessel of some kind – think of a commercial fishing boat, for instance. 

Boat Amenities vs Yacht Amenities

Here’s a place where boats and yachts often part ways significantly. There are some pretty luxurious houseboats and pontoons and cabin cruisers out there to be sure, but when you look at what you can get on a megayacht there’s barely a comparison. 

The most expensive yachts have multiple helipads, swimming pools, tender garages that contain things like jet skis, gyms, high tech yacht electronics, massage rooms, bars, movie theaters, mini subs, discos, you name it. These really are like private cruise ships. 

Now obviously it’s not fair to compare a 12 foot jon boat to the 600 foot Azzam yacht but these are clearly as different from each other as any two things can be. Yachts are known for their luxury and they can truly push the limits sometimes. 

Yacht Locations vs Boat Locations

Smaller boats are obviously more capable of handling coastal and inland waters than any yacht you’re likely to find because that’s what they’re meant for. Yachts are typically, but not always, found in saltwater, usually around vacation destination areas like the Bahamas, the Mediterranean, Florida, tropical islands and so on. Boats are at home anywhere you find water. 

There are definitely yachts on inland lakes like the Great Lakes, but they are decidedly less common. 

Yacht Price vs Boat Price

Here’s where things get really different. You can get a little fishing boat for a few hundred dollars if you want. The Eclipse yacht cost $1.5 billion. So that’s the range we’re dealing with in terms of yachts vs boats when it comes to cost. If you try to meet in the middle with a 33 foot sport cruiser boat you might pay $200,000. But the average price for a yacht in 2021, and this means a vessel between 56 feet and 79 feet, was $1.1 million. 

The Bottom Line

All yachts are boats but not all boats are yachts. In general, a yacht is a larger vessel that is used strictly for recreational purposes. It’s defined by its speed and its luxury and is often at the higher end of the price range. You tend to find yachts in popular vacation spots and they come in at an average price over $1 million.

Boats are generally smaller vessels and can be used for everything from fishing to cruising to commercial, police boats and military purposes. They can be extremely simple and, as a result, also incredibly cheap compared to yachts as well.

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

Categories : Boats , Yachts

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More in Boats

What Is A Gunwale?

131 of the Best Hawaiian Boat Names

167 Patriotic Boat Names

The 138 Best Boat Names for Dog Lovers

The People’s Poncho Review and Ratings 

Oru Lake Kayak Review

About Boatsafe

Established in 1998, BoatSafe is your independent guide into the world of boating, fishing, and watersports. We provide expert insights and detailed guides to help you find products tailored to your needs and budget.

Contact Boatsafe

• Address: 4021 West Walnut Street. Rogers, AR 72756
• Phone:  (479)339-4795
• Email: [email protected]

Site Navigation

• How We Test
• Corrections Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Editorial Policy
• Affiliate Disclosure

Our Reviews

All content is © Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.

What’s the Difference Between a Boat, Yacht & Ship?

Whether you are a brand new sailor or just wanting to brush up on some terms, it is essential to know what to call a particular watercraft if you’re going to fit in while you’re at the docks or out on the water. There are many nuances and subtle differences between water vessel types, but below are some of the main differences.

In general, yachts are either sailing or motor vessels used for pleasure. Yachts are often luxurious and equipped with an overnight cabin. Boats can be either propelled sail or a motor and come in varying sizes. On the other hand, ships are usually motor-powered and much larger than boats.

Some of the differences between watercraft types can be a little fuzzy, but once you grasp the main differences between them, it becomes relatively easy to tell them apart. If you have no previous knowledge of watercraft, you are likely very confused about what defines a yacht, boat, and ship, so I’ll try to clarify any confusion you might have in the next few sections.

Similarities and Differences Between Boats, Yachts, and Ships

The many bodies of water all over the world are home to an extensive collection of different watercraft. There are so many shapes and sizes that they come in that it is nearly impossible to fit every single one into a specific classification.

However, in the following table, I did my best to loosely define ships, yachts, and boats so that it is easy to see the differences between the types of watercraft.

As I mentioned earlier, it is impossible to fit EVERY SINGLE water vessel into a particular category, so there are tons of exceptions out there. In addition to the exceptions, different organizations, laws, and people classify types of boats slightly differently.

There is no universally accepted definition for ships, boats, and yachts, but instead many different sets of rules and regulations. In this article, I have tried my best to use the most commonly accepted definitions for each watercraft type.

Now that we’ve gone over some of the main differences and similarities between boats, ships, and yachts, let’s take a look at each type of vessel individually and look at their most prominent characteristics and attributes.

What Exactly is a Boat?

Boats come in a vast array of sizes and shapes. To many people, the term “boat” simply refers to nearly any watercraft, but there are actually a few restrictions and defining characteristics that all boats have. So let’s just get right into it and take a quick look at what exactly qualifies a vessel as a boat.

Overall Size of Boats

As I said before, there is a massive catalog of different types of boats, and they come in a variety of sizes. There are huge boats that hold lots of cargo or people, and then there are smaller ones that barely can stay afloat with a single person on board.

Typically, boats are defined as watercraft that are less than 197 feet long. However, most boats you are likely to encounter on the water are usually around 30 feet long.

General Price Range of Boats

Again, it is hard to accurately give a price range for all boats because they come in so many different sizes, styles, and types, but most modern boats seem to fall in the $1,500 to $100,000 range. 

Small Jon boats can cost even less than $1,500, while large sailboats and houseboats can cost well above $100,000.

Most Common Uses of Boats

Boats are used all over the world for a variety of different reasons and to do many tasks. Many types of boats serve a wide range of uses, but most are primarily used as a residence, for pleasure, or commercially.

Some of the most popular types of boats, such as sailboats, bowriders, and dinghies, are commonly used for enjoyment, fishing, racing, or other pleasurable activities. There are also many types of houseboats used as residences and commercial boats used for chartering or moving goods or people. 

Propulsion Method of Boats

Due to the wide variety of boats, you are likely to find boats propelled by almost every propulsion method imaginable. Some of the more popular propulsion methods for boats to use are man-power, wind power, and motor power.

Boats on the smaller end often use the power of the people on board to row or paddle, while larger boats rely on sails or powerful motors attached to the stern. Many boats use more than one propulsion method, either together or with one of them as a backup.

What Exactly is a Yacht?

Yachts have many of the same attributes as boats, but their quality, size, and luxury really set them apart. When someone says “yacht,” many people imagine watercraft that are SUPER LARGE, and while there are lots of massive yachts, many smaller boats also qualify as yachts, which might surprise you.

Overall Size of Yachts

There are many different sized yachts, and the rules regarding how big they have to be are not very strict. In general, luxury watercraft greater than 33 feet in length are considered yachts. However, boats smaller than 33 feet are sometimes called yachts if they are exceptionally luxurious and elegant.

There is no upper limit to how large a yacht can be. Yachts longer than 100 feet are often referred to as mega yachts, and ones over 150 feet long called are super yachts.

General Price Range of Yachts

Because the very definition of a yacht requires it to be very luxurious, they often come with quite a price tag as a result. There is quite a range of different price points for yachts, ranging from $250,000 to $50,000,000 and beyond.

Most Common Uses of Yachts

Yachts, because they are so expensive to maintain and purchase, are primarily used for pleasure purposes. Day trips out on the water are typical for yachts, although they often have overnight cabins, so longer excursions are popular.

Chartered yachts are also very popular, which bridges the gap between commercial and pleasure. Although, when you are on a chartered yacht, it is usually for the sole purpose of having a great time and enjoying yourself.

Propulsion Method of Yachts

Because yachts are considered very luxurious and often so large, they are usually solely propelling using motor power. Even if a yacht is on the smaller end of the spectrum, they often only use a motor as a means of driving the craft through the water. 

However, many large sailing yachts out there use sails and the wind to propel the vessel. So while the large majority of yachts use motors, keep in mind that some large and luxurious sailboats can be considered yachts.

What Exactly is a Ship?

Throughout history, large ships have been a helpful tool for many civilizations and have allowed them to transport goods and explore places beyond their homes. In modern times, ships are quite common and are used for a variety of different reasons.

Overall Size of Ships

One of the primary characteristics of ships that set them apart from boats is their size. Ships, especially in modern times, are often MASSIVE and are restricted to navigating only extensive waterways. 

Vessels greater than or equal to 197 feet long are often considered ships. However, most ships today are huge and often fall in the 1,000-foot range or larger.

General Price Range of Ships

Most individuals will never own a ship due to their extreme maintenance and the cost of purchasing one. While many smaller ships are far less expensive, most modern ships cost anywhere between $50 and $500 million.

Large and luxurious cruise ships can even cost upwards of $1 billion to construct, and that’s not even taking into account staff, maintenance, and other costs.

Most Common Uses of Ships

Ships perform many different duties throughout the world, but usually, they are used to transport passengers or goods over long distances. In addition, they are also often used by military, scientists, fishers, and a plethora of other professions and people. They are also often used for pleasure purposes, in the form of passenger cruise ships. 

Overall, ships encompass a large selection of vessels that perform many different duties. 

Propulsion Method of Ships

Due to their large size, most modern ships are propelled using motors. However, even though ships are equipped with massive motors, they are still pretty slow and often move at around 20 knots per hour, although some move much quicker.

While most, if not all, ships today use motors to propel themselves through the water, this was not always the case. Before motors were around, many civilizations used ships for military, exploration, transportation, shipping, and many other uses. During these times, ships were powered primarily by man and wind power. Even today, you can occasionally find a sail-powered ship, though they are quite rare.

James Gerard

Hi, I'm James! I started sailing at a very early age here in the UK, and have enjoyed so many opportunities to sail all over the world. I created this website to share the many sailing tips I've leaned over the years, so that you can also discover the joy of sailing with safety and confidence.

Recent Posts

How to Predict Wind Direction & Speed from a Surface Pressure Chart

Learning how to read a surface pressure chart will allow you to predict the wind speed and direction based on the weather chart. This will help you in planning your next sailing trip.

What Does a Black & Yellow Buoy Mean? (Cardinal Marks Explained)

If you see a black and yellow buoy while you're sailing, don't ignore it. Cardinal Marks are there to help you avoid hidden hazards in the water. This helpful article will help you to identify a...

• Yachts for Sale
• Sales Report 2024
• FAQ – Luxury Crewed Yacht Charters
• FAQ – Bareboat charters
• FAQ – Sell your Boat
• FAQ – Buying a Yacht
• How Much does it Cost to Charter a Luxury Yacht?
• All Blog Posts and News
• Yachting for beginners
• Indian Ocean
• Mediterranean
• Sales & New build
• Motor Yacht
• Event & News

Yacht Vs Boat: What is the Difference?

Definitions of words such as “yacht”, “boat”, or even “ship” are not always clear. Most of us make our own (unspoken) rules up, while others simply go with the flow and call their vessel whatever comes up at the moment.

So when does a boat become a yacht? Are all boats yachts? Are all yachts boats? What about ships?

Here is our subjective take on this vital matter.

The definition of a boat

In spoken or written English, it seems that anything able to float can be called a boat . It has little to do with size, function, or fit-and-finish. It is the most general term.

According to many dictionaries, boats are defined as “small vessels for traveling over water, propelled by oars, sails, or an engine”. So, a boat can have recreational purposes as well as commercial ones, but it is expected to be quite limited in size. 

A yacht : our unofficial definition

The word “yacht” generally refers to a more sophisticated craft than a boat or a ship. 

Yachts can be sailed or motorized: so catamaran, monohulls, or even trimarans can also be called “yachts”. 

To deserve their name, they have to be comfortable, spacious, well equipped and built with luxury in mind.

Regarding their functions, yachts are purely recreational. 

They are designed for relaxation and leisure first, even though they can be suitable for long stays at sea and transatlantic crossings.  

To sum up, as soon as your boat is a certain size and boasts several luxury features designed for leisure, then you can call it a yacht.

The definition of a ship

According to the Oxford dictionary, a ship is “a large boat for transporting people or goods by sea”.

The ship is associated with something larger and less fancy than a boat. 

It is a “working” vessel, unlike yachts which are made for leisure purposes.

A ship usually needs a full crew to operate. A yacht might need a full crew to operate depending on its size. A boat usually implies smaller vessels and therefore most of them don’t need a crew.  

Common vessels that are called “ships” include ferries, petrol tankers, or warships.

Details to look at to know if you are dealing with a boat, a yacht, or a ship

The size: one of the strong factors to identify a boat vs a yacht.

Size is one of the most determining factors to know how to call your vessel.

A boat is often expected to be smaller than a ship or a yacht. Generally, a vessel anywhere from 15-30 feet in length will be called a boat.

Starting from 15 meters (50 feet), private luxury recreational crafts can be considered yachts. 

Starting from 24 meters (79 feet), you are entering the superyachts area. 

Above, 50 meters can start talking about mega yachts. Obviously, there is no upper limit to mega yachts. Currently, Azzam, the world’s biggest yacht is 180 meters long (590 feet).

So when it comes to differentiating between boat and yacht, size does matter.

But size alone isn’t enough to know the sort of vessel you are dealing with.

The function of a yacht vs a boat isn’t the same

The main function of its vessel is one of the easiest ways to recognize a boat from a ship or a yacht.

Boats can be used for both leisure and business (fishing, day trips, police, …) depending on their size and options.

On the other hand, a yacht has a purely recreational function. Unlike a “boat”, it can be used for long voyages on oceans thanks to its larger size, better propulsion, advanced electronics, guidance, and safety equipment, but especially thanks to its comfort. Yachts can protect passengers from bad weather and the comfortable cabins can accommodate several passengers for long stays. Yachts are also often available for charter with a staff taking care of the guests at a high standard of comfort.

Ships primarily have commercial functions. It can be forwarding freight, crossing the sea with thousands of people on board, or going on a warzone with a unit and its material.

To add to the confusion, some mega yachts such as Christina O could be called ships due to their initial function or their size.

Besides these exceptions, it’s quite obvious to recognize a yacht from a boat or a ship simply by its size and the luxury of its amenities.

The luxury on board makes it a yacht or a boat

A yacht is a recreational vessel designed with luxury and comfort in mind. 

The facilities, be it furniture, rooms, living spaces, safety equipment, and navigation systems are all luxurious on a yacht. 

The notion of space is often very important to feel comfortable on board, even for long cruises. The largest and most luxurious yachts have various spaces such as beaches, sundecks … to make life on board as comfortable as on land, if not more.

To make it simple, if a vessel is luxurious, then more often than not, it’s a yacht.

Check out all our luxury yachts here.

The propulsion of the vessel can determine whether it’s a yacht or a boat

A boat can be rowed, propelled with its sails, or with one or several engines. 

Motorized small boats can have impressive speed on the water thanks to their lightweight, but their engines are usually less powerful and sophisticated than yacht engines. 

Some boats can sail long-distance when they are well equipped, such as solar panel, water maker etc.

On the other hand, equipment on yachts make them able to operate over very long distances, including crossing oceans.

Most ships are designed to cross the sea with safety and they are designed for this objective.

Looking at the propulsion is therefore not enough to know if a vessel is a boat, a yacht, or a ship, although it can give you a few clues.

The crew on board can tell the difference between a boat and a yacht

Commercial ships and professional boats obviously have experienced captains to sail them around the rough corners of the globe. 

For yachts and leisure boats, it is less obvious.

Big yachts owners usually employ professionals to sail, but also manage the daily operations onboard. The number of enrolled crew members depends on the yacht’ size.

Usually, boats do not need a professional enrolled skipper to operate, if you know how to sail. But you can always rent a boat and hire a skipper to bring you wherever you want.

So, what should you call your vessel? 

To make it simple, if your vessel is a  luxury craft above 50 feet, designed for fun, recreation, relaxation, and comfort, then call it a yacht.

Anything below that size, call it a boat.

If you own a working craft rather than something recreational, especially if it’s a long vessel, then you are free to call it a ship.

But let’s be honest, nobody will blame you if you use the wrong term. You are entirely free to continue calling your canoe a yacht if you like it that way!

Read Also : How Much does it Cost to Charter a Luxury Yacht?

Starting from 50 feet (15 meters), a pleasure boat is usually considered a yacht.

Yes, a 40-feet boat can be considered a yacht if it has recreational use and a luxurious outfit. Otherwise, it is only a boat!

By definition, a ship is a large vessel that crosses oceans and other deep waters for commercial purposes. It carries cargo or passengers or performs specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. So a boat becomes a ship when it is big, it weighs at least 500 tonnes or above and it has commercial use.

Private recreational boats from 33 feet are actually yachts. Luxury is also an important point once defining a yacht.

No. If the boat doesn’t have a recreational purpose, if it is below 33 feet long (10 meters), or if it is not luxurious, it is not a yacht but a boat!

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Luxury crewed yacht charters – frequently asked questions, luxury yachts for charter perfectly suited for 10 guests, skipper’s job and responsibilities: what you should know.

• Testimonials
• Privacy Policy

The Key Differences Between a Yacht and a Boat | Yacht vs Boat

Olivia benjamin.

• June 20, 2023

It’s a common misconception to assume that there is no difference between a yacht and a boat, but there are notable differences between these two types of watercraft. Yachts are generally larger and more luxurious than boats, typically smaller and designed for recreational activities such as fishing or water sports.

While yachts and boats serve as leisure vessels on the water, yachts often boast additional amenities like air conditioning, multiple bedrooms, and even hot tubs. Conversely, boats tend to have simpler features, such as a small cabin or storage space for fishing equipment.

Gaining a deeper understanding of these differences can assist you in determining whether to choose a yacht or a boat based on your unique needs and preferences. So, let’s dive deeper into the distinctions between these two types of vessels.

What is a Yacht and What is a Boat?

Boats and yachts are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but there are distinct differences between them. Let’s examine the differences between boats and yachts.

What is a Yacht?

You might think of a yacht as a luxurious vessel often used for leisure activities, like sailing the high seas or throwing lavish parties on board. 

Yachts are typically larger than boats and have amenities such as multiple cabins, bathrooms, kitchens, and entertainment areas. They’re designed for comfort and style rather than speed or efficiency.

However, it’s important to note that not all yachts are the same. Some may be motorized, while others require sails to move through the water. 

Moreover, there are several types of yachts, including racing yachts, cruising yachts, and mega yachts, with sizes ranging from 33 to over 160 feet. Each type caters to specific preferences and requirements, ensuring a tailored yachting experience.

What is a Boat?

A boat is a watercraft primarily designed to float, move, and navigate on water. It is a generic term that refers to a wide range of vessels used for various purposes such as recreation, transportation, military, commercial use, or fishing. 

Boats come in different sizes, designs, and types, each serving a specific need. Small boats like kayaks and canoes are used for recreational purposes, while larger boats like tugboats serve commercial purposes. 

Whether used for pleasure or work, boats offer great maneuverability. They can navigate in shallow waters and tight spaces and come equipped with navigation and other systems.

Boat vs Yacht | What is the difference between a Yacht and a Boat?

Do you want to know the differences between yachts and boats? Well, there are several key points to consider.

A boat is a generic term used to refer to any small watercraft. At the same time, a yacht is a specific type of boat often associated with luxury and recreational purposes. Many differences exist between yachts and boats, including the use, size, construction of these vessels, and many more. 

Let’s explore these differences in detail to help you understand the unique qualities of each type of watercraft.

Difference in Size

Yachts are typically larger than boats, often measuring over 40 feet long. While boats come in various sizes, they often range from around 20-30 feet in length.

Boats are usually smaller and built for leisurely activities like fishing or cruising on lakes and rivers. On the other hand, yachts are designed for luxurious living at sea and are often equipped with multiple cabins, bathrooms, entertainment areas, and even swimming pools. 

The size difference between yachts and boats also affects their handling of the water. Due to their large size and complex systems, yachts require experienced crews to operate them. Boats, on the other hand, can be easily handled by anyone with basic boating knowledge.

Difference in Use

While both vessels are designed for water travel but serve very different purposes, boats are typically smaller vessels used for recreational activities such as fishing, water sports, and short trips along the coast. They’re also commonly used for transportation in areas with many waterways.

Yachts, on the other hand, are much larger and more luxurious than most boats. They’re typically owned by wealthy individuals or companies and used for leisurely cruising or entertaining guests. Some yachts can even be chartered for special events such as weddings or corporate retreats.

Difference in Technology

While many boats rely on traditional engines or rowing, yachts often incorporate cutting-edge navigation, communication, and entertainment technology. 

For example, some luxury yachts have state-of-the-art autopilot, radar and GPS systems that easily navigate even the most treacherous waters. Additionally, many yachts are equipped with satellite phones and other communication devices that allow passengers to stay connected no matter where they are.

Conversely, boats have basic technology geared towards recreational purposes, like fish finders or depth sounders. Older boats may still use traditional analog instruments for compass bearing and navigation.

Regardless of size or purpose, one thing is clear – technology plays a major role in differentiating between a yacht and a boat. 

Differences in Power and Propulsion

When it comes to power and propulsion, yachts and boats have some key differences. Yachts are often equipped with larger, inboard engines designed for speed and endurance. In contrast, boats may have outboard motors that are smaller and better suited for recreational purposes.

Another key difference relates to the type of transmission used. Yachts often rely on multi-speed transmissions that allow the engine to operate at various speeds. Boats, on the other hand, may have simpler transmission systems that are designed for a lower level of performance.

The type of propulsion used is also important to consider. Yachts may be propelled by jets, controllable pitch propellers or other high-tech means, enabling them to perform well in various conditions. Boats typically rely on simpler propellers unsuited to more demanding environments.

Difference in Price

When it comes to price, yachts and boats are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Boats, being smaller and typically used for recreational purposes, can range from a few thousand dollars to a few hundred thousand dollars. 

Yachts, on the other hand, are significantly more expensive. These vessels are often larger and more luxurious, costing several million to hundreds of millions of dollars.

The cost of owning a yacht goes beyond just the initial purchase price. Yachts require significant upkeep, including maintenance, insurance, and docking fees. However, yacht owners are often willing to pay high costs for the prestige and luxury of owning such vessels.

The Difference in Luxury and Comfort

Luxurious yachts have everything from plush interiors with high-end finishes to state-of-the-art entertainment systems. Many yachts also come equipped with luxurious bedrooms, bathrooms, and gourmet kitchens.

In addition to these features, yachts offer expansive decks and outdoor spaces for entertaining guests or simply enjoying the sun and sea breeze. 

When it comes to luxury and comfort, there really is no comparison between a yacht and a boat. While boats may be functional for certain activities, such as fishing or water sports, they offer a different level of extravagance than you’ll find onboard a yacht.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost difference between purchasing a yacht and a boat.

Before you set sail, remember, a yacht is not just a bigger boat. The difference between purchasing a yacht and a boat can be significant, with yachts typically costing millions while boats range from thousands to hundreds of thousands.

Are there any legal requirements for operating a yacht versus a boat?

To operate a yacht, you may need a captain’s license and have to follow specific regulations depending on the size of your vessel. For boats, requirements vary by state and type of boat but are generally less strict.

How does the size of a yacht compare to the size of a boat?

Yachts are generally larger than typical boats, ranging from 33 feet to over 160 feet in length. However, the size distinction between a yacht and a boat needs to be clearly defined and can vary depending on personal perception.

Are there any specific maintenance requirements for a yacht that differ from those of a boat?

Yachts require meticulous maintenance to ensure they remain seaworthy. This includes regular inspections, cleaning, and repairs. These tasks are more complex and costly than those typically required for boats but crucial for the safety of all onboard.

What is the largest yacht in the world?

As of 2023, the largest yacht in the world is the SOMNIO , measuring 222 meters (728 feet) in length. The yacht is under construction and due for launch in mid-2024.

A yacht can be likened to a floating mansion, replete with lavish amenities and luxurious features, often owned by affluent individuals who relish time at sea. These vessels boast multiple decks, spacious cabins, and even swimming pools.

In contrast, boats come in various shapes and sizes, ranging from small dinghies to large commercial tugboats. While some boats offer basic amenities like a small cabin or restroom, they cannot compete with the luxury of a yacht.

The primary distinction between a yacht and a boat lies in luxury and comfort. Yachts epitomize extravagance, providing amenities akin to a high-end hotel suite, while boats prioritize practicality and functionality.

Ultimately, choosing between a yacht and a boat depends on personal preferences and intended use.

A Guide to Naming Your Boat: Finding the Perfect Name for Your Boat

Naming a boat is an important and personal decision every boat owner must make. Whether you have just purchased a

What is the Steering Wheel on a Ship Called?

The ship steering wheel holds a special place in maritime history, from tales of daring adventures on the high seas

Best Way to Avoid Overloading Your Boat and Keep Your Boat Capacity Under the Weight Limit

Embarking on a boating adventure brings a sense of excitement and freedom. However, ensuring the safety and stability of your

Workshop Insider Newsletter

Be a workshop insider get our latest collection of news and announcements delivered to your inbox..., latest articles.

• June 25, 2024
• Boats , Marine Engineering
• June 24, 2024

Navigating the Darkness: Understanding Boat Navigation Lights and the Different Types

Boat collisions: how to avoid collisions with another boat.

• September 12, 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Pipeliner Welding Hoods: Features, Benefits, Buying Guide, and Best Practices

• Welding Helmets Buying Guides
• September 11, 2023

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Affiliate Disclosure

“Boat” vs. “Ship”: Chart A Course To Understand The Difference

• Boat Vs. Ship
• Yacht Vs. Boat

Ahoy, me hearties! A true seadog worth their salt would never let aboard a landlubber who calls their ship a boat . That kind of mixup is the talk that gets you walking the plank!

In this article, we’ll sail the seven seas of nautical knowledge to define the difference between the words ship and boat , explain what they refer to in technical and casual use, provide examples of different kinds of both ships and boats , and we’ll even clear up the meaning of the word yacht .

🚢 Quick summary

In casual use, the word boat is often used to refer to any watergoing vessel, regardless of its size or how it’s powered. However, large oceanfaring watercraft—those that use multiple sails or engines—are more properly called ships . In contrast, the word ship isn’t commonly applied to smaller craft. The word yacht is typically used to refer to any larger noncommercial vessel—one used for sailing or other recreation, as opposed to business.

What’s the difference between a boat and a ship ?

By definition, a boat is “a vessel for transport by water,” “a small ship,” or “a vessel of any size built for navigation of rivers or inland bodies of water.” In casual use, the word boat is used to refer to any vehicle used to travel on the water—anything from a canoe to an ocean liner.

In this kind of casual and general usage, the word boat is often used to refer to watercraft of all sizes and types, as you can see in the variety of terms that include the word, such as sailboat , motorboat , fishing boat , rowboat , tugboat , paddleboat , and lifeboat .

In contrast, the word ship is typically reserved to refer to a large, ocean-faring vessel propelled by multiple sails or engines.

(Of course, the word ship is also used to refer to large, nonwater craft, such as airship and spaceship .)

In technical, nautical contexts, the word ship sometimes specifically refers to a sailing vessel that has three or more square masts. As is the case with boat , though, the word ship is applied in the name of a variety of large watercrafts, including cruise ship , cargo ship , pirate ship , battleship , longship , and steamship .

Go Behind The Words!

• By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy policies.
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

In contexts where it’s important to distinguish the difference, the distinction made between ship and boat is typically based on the size of the craft being discussed and if it is used only for ocean or sea travel. Additionally, the word boat can refer to vessels that don’t have any sails or engines, such as a kayak or a rowboat, whereas the word ship usually refers to vessels with many sails or large engines. Even in casual usage, it’s very uncommon for someone to call a small craft a ship , unless they’re doing so jokingly.

One distinction made in nautical contexts is that the word ship often refers to vessels too large to fit inside other vessels. By contrast, the word boat is often used to refer to smaller craft that can fit inside larger ones. For example, a massive cruise ship may have a large number of lifeboats inside it.

What are you sailing? An ocean or a sea ? Learn the difference here.

Yacht vs. boat

The word yacht typically refers to a vessel used for private, noncommercial reasons (those other than business), such as sailing or racing. As a general term, the word yacht can refer to any watercraft that isn’t intended to be used to make money, which includes anything from racing sailboats to billionaires’ floating ultra-luxury mansions.

The word yacht is not used to refer to small vessels, such as row boats or canoes. In casual usage, a yacht may be referred to with the more general terms boat or ship , but certainly not all ships and boats are yachts .

What's the difference between "uncharted" and "unchartered" territory?

Commonly Confused

Hobbies & Passions

Current Events

Trending Words

[ ek -sk uh l-peyt ]

• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Danish Shipping Implements New Measures To Combat Bullying & Harassment On Ships

Maersk Joins LR & Core Power In Regulatory Study For Nuclear-Powered Container Ships

Armed Men Approach Merchant Vessel Near Eritrea’s Massawa Port In Red Sea

World’s First Bauxite Cargo Shipped Using LNG-fueled Vessel By EGA

• 7 Differences Between a Ship and a Boat

Although most people know the difference between a ship and a boat, some can get confused between the two.

While talking about the difference between a ship and a boat, the first thing that comes to mind is their sizes. Usually, people consider ships to be massive whereas boats are smaller.

However, there are other aspects too, apart from size, which are discussed in this article.

1.  Size of Ship and Boat

The most important aspect while stating the difference between a ship and a boat is the size. It is said that the best way to differentiate between a ship and a boat is to remember that “A ship can carry a boat, but a boat cannot carry a ship.”

Technically speaking, a mode of water transport that weighs at least 500 tonnes or above is categorised as a ship. In comparison, boats are small in their structural size and displacement.

2. Operational Areas

Ships ply in deep waters, oceans and high seas. They are of various types like cruise vessels , naval ships, tankers , container ships , RoRo ships , and offshore vessels . They are mainly built for cargo/ passenger transportation across oceans.

Boats, in contrast, operate in restricted waters, near the coast and include ferrying and towing vessels, sail vessels, paddle vessels, kayaks , canoes , patrolling boats etc.

 3 . Navigation and Technology

Boats are simple vessels with less complicated equipment, systems and operational maintenance requirements.  Since ships are huge and carry large volumes of cargo over large distances, they feature advanced engineering, heavy machinery, and sophisticated navigational systems .

4. Crew Size

This is one of the major differences between a ship and a boat.

Ships have a large crew which consists of the Captain who commands the vessel, Second and Third Officers, Engineers, Cooks etc.

On the other hand, a smaller boat does not need many people.

5. Cargo Capacity

A boat is hardly used for carrying cargo. It is mostly used for recreational purposes like boating, fishing or ferrying people across short distances. Ships are built to be seaworthy since they carry thousands of tonnes across different ends of the planet.

Ships can also accommodate passengers or boats, whereas boat is a generic term used for a variety of watercraft.

6. Construction and Design

When it comes to construction and design, ships are complicated structures with various onboard machinery systems and equipment to ensure they are safe and stable to cross the rough seas.

A boat has a simple design and almost no machinery, though sophisticated ones have navigation systems, however they do not take up much space.

7. Propulsion

A boat can be powered by sails, motor, or human force, whereas a ship has dedicated engines. (Ships can also be propelled by sails or other advanced propulsion technologies)

Even though all vessels on the high seas are referred to as ships, submersible vessels are categorically termed as ‘boats.’

This is mainly because earlier, submersible vessels could be hoisted on ships till they were used in naval operations.

However, while talking about differences between a ship and a boat, only the vessels floating on the water surface are taken into consideration.

The use of the term ‘ship’ or ‘boat’ also depends on the region it is being used in. People often refer to a medium-sized fishing vessel as a boat, a medium-sized ferry or a recreational boat as a ship. As can be seen, people tend to generalise a vessel based on its size.

However, it is to be noted that the difference between a ship and a boat depends on many factors as discussed above.

You might also like to read:

• Types of Sailboats: A Comprehensive Classification
• A Guide to Different Types of Boats
• A Guide To Types of Ships
• Types of Fishing Vessels

Disclaimer : The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

Related Articles

What are Hull Ferries?

New Jack-Up Vessel by Beluga- Hochtief

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)

Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction

About Author

Raunek Kantharia is a marine engineer turned maritime writer and entrepreneur. After a brief stint at the sea, he founded Marine Insight in 2010. Apart from managing Marine Insight, he also writes for a number of maritime magazines and websites.

Read More Articles By This Author >

Daily Maritime News, Straight To Your Inbox

Sign Up To Get Daily Newsletters

Join over 60k+ people who read our daily newsletters

By subscribing, you agree to our  Privacy Policy  and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

46 comments.

Please i am a National Diploma student of Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron studying nautical science, i want to know more about the course

Hi.thank its so good and sufficient

As a profesional mariner of over 25 years I would like to “weigh in” on this subject. What I will say is not about the currently accepted distinction between ship and boats, but rather historical. When ships (powered by sails) began to start losing trade to vessels powered by engines (boats) they as an industry attempted to associate these vessels with unplesant attributes like noise, soot, vibration, and in some cases slower speed. The sailoing industry (both cargo and passanger) would say that you could SAIL on a quiet, clean, calm, fast ship or go one of those dirty loud vibrating slow BOATS with an engine. The concept a ship being superior and a boat being inferior was sucessfully instituted. The engine powered vessels simply side stepped the ridicule bestowed on the term “boat” and made bigger, faster, clean, quiet vessels and took the market from the sail powered vessels along with the defination of SHIP for themselves. i wont step into the curret debate of what constitutes a boat or a ship but the origins of the debate stem from new technology (steam engines) fighting over market share.

A large freighter (1000′ x 85′, think of the Edmund Fitzgerald) hauling iron ore on the great lakes is referred to by her crew and company as a boat, never as a ship!

“Boats in contrast, are operable in smaller/ restricted water areas and include ferrying and towing vessels, sail vessels, paddle vessels, kayaks, canoe, patrolling vessels etc. Boats are mainly used for smaller purposes and mainly ply in areas near to the coast.” “Technologically, boats are simple vessels with less complicated equipment, systems and operational maintenance requirements.”

Correct me if I am wrong but, isn’t a submarine classed as a boat? That kind of contradicts what you have stated above.

comment:the any where abroad/indian officers you can any time call me on 30 year’s on merchant officers

You can put a boat on a ship but not visa versa eg life boats…

What is the difference between a boat and a ship?

1. The boat leans to the right when turning right

2. The ship leans to the left when turning right.

This is what I have been told by a old (90 Year old boat capt)

Great reply’s. some years ago while on the QE 2 a passenger asked one of the officers when does this boat dock? The young officer replied. “Madam, this is a Ship not a boat, a boat is those you get into when this ship is sinking!

Hello. May I please ask for some assistance from the forum?

I am writing a blog/journal on the differences between ships and yachts. What has prompted this conversation is the plethora of ‘superyachts’ now plying the international oceans and performing well on deep water passages.

Surely some of these can come under the category of ‘ship’, and not yacht, since many are being built on a larger scale than anything we’ve seen in past years. My understanding of the determination of a ‘ship’ is : Length, Tonnage, Draft and Displacement.

I have read your forum discussion regarding use, but I am still unclear as to where the line is drawn for this category. Many of the ‘superyachts’ carry cars, helicopters, pools, and require very advanced equipment, captain and crew. Perhaps we will soon see this as a real conversation in the industry.

Appreciatively, Rosanne Allen-Hewlett For ‘The LUXE Report’ ( Sailor, racer of only boats and yachts )

I was told that the difference between a ship and a boat is that a ship has a funnel and a boat doesn’t, no matter it’s size….

David Musselwhwite’s comment is the best way to determine a boat of a ship. This holds true for submarines (boats). If it leans into the turn, it is a boat. If it leans out on a turn, it is a ship.

In response to comments about the Edmund Fitzgerald, when you spend your life on one you can call it whatever you want. I am sure they all knew it was a ship, I served 20 years in the Navy and always said I was heading back to the boat even though I knew it was a ship.

While in Boot camp in 1964, US Coast Guard, we were told that a ship is 95 feet or longer and a boat is 94 feet and under. That makes it pretty simple.

With over 30 years in the marine industry including working at sea, ship building and ship repair, I would offer my comments.

Yes all above is true. My understanding is that the bottom line is ” a Ship carries boats ie Lifeboats”. If it doesn’t have a proper lifeboat, it is not a ship.

The best a boat has is dinghies or liferafts etc. Consequently a submarine does NOT carry life boats. There are many broader requirements Size and the ability to navigate very heavy seas, such as those whipped up by a tropical Revolving storm (TRS). It must be designed to travel in the open sea in all weather conditions and have lifeboats that can do the same. They carry cargo or passengers and have a substantial crew to operate it including engineers.

As far as the Edmund Fitzgerald is concerned, these vessels are an enigma. They were large and qualify in most areas, but – was it capable of going to sea and did it have sea-going lifeboats? Ironically it suffered probably as bad a storm as it would have done at sea. The problem is that in fresh water the waters are more treacherous than salt water as they rise up far more quickly.

But then again it sank meaning that it couldn’t handle it. Yes it was a large vessel but was it a Ship – ?

What is difference among?

Marine Boat Marine Ship Marine Craft Ship Boat

What is difference between Marina and Marine?

Being the son of a WW II submariner. My dad cruised the Atlantic of the east coast of US and in many conversations about the war he always called his boat a boat never a ship.Thats it!!

The simplest and most accurate definition I stay with is that a ship can carry a boat but a boat cannot carry a ship . SIZE MATTERS !

Captain chalga: try to form a coherent sentence.

I asked a friend of mine, “What is the difference between a boat and a ship?” He said, “About 100 feet . . .”

Thank you for the information. My husband won this discussion. God Bless all who are bravely floating on/in one. I am terrified of the ocean or even a small lake. You have my utmost respect for your sacrifice. I love seafood but would never know the pleasure of eating it without you brave souls. Thank you.

As a proud Submariner I have to disagree and will always say that I serve on a boat.

There is the Boat of Millions of years,which is a very advanced spacecraft able to.travel the millions of light years betwen Galaxies.

And you have vessels such as the Motor Vessel Arlene out of Port Arthur.

I was once told that a ship had multiple decks and a boat had only one.

When I queried sailing yachts that had berths under part of the deck, it was modified to the deck on a yacht is as much structural as deck, but if a vessel has 2 or more non structural “floors” it is a ship.

Then I mentioned tug boats and fishing boats and it all got confused.

It’s a bit like the difference between horse and pony. Despite every one saying it’s size, the falabella is a horse and polo ponies are ponies.

A naval architect (constructors) view is that to be a ‘ship’ a vessel must have at least one continuous internal deck running the length of the vessel. Large Submarines may have complete decks forward however, going aft, it is normal to have to descend a ladder onto a lower ‘engine room’ deck-level or platform. Some large freighters have a similar construction with internal split deck levels and that is why they are correctly known as boats, although in some cases the term ‘ship’ feels more appropriate because of their large displacement. The argument regarding leaning into or out of a turn is an interesting idea, however this may have more to do with hull and propulsion characteristics than vessel construction. In reality, as with most nautical expressions, whatever feels best to use is probably best and relying on the opinion of a sailor, with regards to an explanation of nautical expressions, puts you at the mercy of a sharp sense of humour.

It might be worth mentioning that some might refer to a ship as “boat” as a diminutive term of endearment, similar to the personification of a car or a pet by assigning the human pronouns to them.

I was once told a SHIP sails the oceans, a BOAT sails on rivers and lakes.

IT SEEMS WE HAVE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE SEA MEN IN THE HOUSE . BUT I AGREE TOTALLY WITH JEREMY MEYER

It’s always been my info is that a boat can be up to 197’ whereas a ship is over that length. As with anything, I’m sure there are exceptions.

some of the people got it spot on. Tilt away from direction of turn = ship. Tilt towards the direction of turn = boat.

There are two points on every vessel. Center of buoyancy and center of gravity. A ship’s center of gravity is above its center of buoyancy. A boat’s center of gravity is below its center of gravity.

Anyone can answer me why we only know the bareboat charter for any size of the ship? It never mentions bareship charter?

“some of the people got it spot on. Tilt away from direction of turn = ship. Tilt towards the direction of turn = boat. There are two points on every vessel. Center of buoyancy and center of gravity. A ship’s center of gravity is above its center of buoyancy. A boat’s center of gravity is below its center of gravity.”

Except a kayak (or canoe) is like a ship – cg is above cb. If you get a ruddered kayak up to speed and hit the rudder hard it will heel outward like a ship. Since the paddler can easily influence heel, if you want to make a hard turn you heel the ‘boat” outward (to lessen the ends in the water) and sweep stroke on the outward side to spin the “boat”. Is a kayak then a “ship”? Hardly. This is exactly the problem with trying to make one pithy statement to define a ship or boat. It is far more complex than that.

I completely agree with you that the difference between a ship and a boat is the size. One of my friends have a boat, she bought it from Boat Lagoon Yachting. Thanks for sharing!

If you can haul it on the back of truck (even trailered), it’s likely a boat…but if the anchor weighs in like a truck it’s definitely a ship. Obviously, some subs are one or the other regardless of whether you can stuff a (non-inflatable) life boat inside. [Army logic from qualified ex-boat commander, combat support boats, bridge section, Corps of Engineers.]

I grew up near the Welland Canal, and it’s true: vessels which plied the Great Lakes were called “lake boats”, or more commonly, “Lakers”. Oceangoing vessels a were always and reflexively called “ships”..

I am wondering if the naval architect”s comment about internal decks makes the difference, as even a non-engineer can see that a deck extending stem to stern would provide more stability to a vessel’s structure.

The lake boats are always longer than the ocean-going ships, so it’s not size.And we occasionally get a visit from “tall ships”, which are oceangoing sailing vessels, but relatively short.

That’s really informative post. I appreciate your skills, Thanks for sharing.

I will take a shot at this. The word marine is redundant before ship and boat. The word “marine” relates to the sea and one of the conditions of being a ship is that it is ocean going. This does leave the possibility of not being a river boat but a marine boat. I would use the expression sea-going boat.

Marine craft is a useful expression when there is a need to make it cleat that you are not referring an aircraft, space craft etc.

On a general note there are no absolute rules or definition. All we can do is give examples of how the words are used. Companies, governments, navies and anyone else are free to make gheir own definitions but nobody else is bound by them.

I served on the U.S.S. CG-19 ‘THE DZLE & U.S.S. CV-63 KITTY HAWK FOR THE US NAVY in the 80’s. So what about the placement of the helm being center of Bridge on a ship & on starboard side usually on a boat?

With many years of sailing lakes to blue water sailing and large power yachts I can offer this for abot of levity. Afterall,the SeaView had the ‘Flying Sub” flown or driven undersea,on the surface and flown by Captain,Admirals and sadly Polititians and insane quasi research criminals. The Flying Sub also had an inflatable Zodiac,so both could be considered Life saving vessels. Plus,it was really cool!

Can be as difficult as we want. My training was as a NCO (enlisted man in the USN. As others have stated, A ship will lean away from its turn. A boat will lean into the turn. This is naturally due to there the center line of gravity is located. Cargo ships mass above that line. A boat can be loaded onto a ship (lifeboats). Regarding Submarines, they are affectionately referee to , by the crew, as boats and that goes back to WWI /II, the ELB. Electric Boat Div of General Dynamics, located Groton Connecticut .

This design is wicked! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

More importantly… are they all “She’s” ?

I’ve been wondering about this since I was younger and saw The Hunt for Red October. The COB (Chief of the Boat) was an interesting character, and I wondered by a Sub Chief was called Chief of the Boat, if a sub was a naval ship. Some very interesting and fascinating answers in here! I like the one about how a ship turns, leaning into it or not. That makes sense to me. As for the tiny kayak/canoe exceptions to this, I’d guess that if a human weighs more than the ‘vessel’ and can manipulate it’s attributes of buoyancy or center of gravity whichever, with their own body, then it doesn’t really count as either a boat or a ship. It really has no deck, nor propulsion other than human muscle, no anchor, etc. I don’t see it as much more than a modern design for what used to be termed a ‘raft.’ But I am just spit-balling here, don’t blast me! lol

That’s really nice post. I appreciate your skills. Thanks for sharing.

All the information that you shared with us is very useful for us. Thank you for sharing with us.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Marine Insight Daily Newsletter

" * " indicates required fields

Marine Engineering

Marine Engine Air Compressor Marine Boiler Oily Water Separator Marine Electrical Ship Generator Ship Stabilizer

Nautical Science

Mooring Bridge Watchkeeping Ship Manoeuvring Nautical Charts  Anchoring Nautical Equipment Shipboard Guidelines

Explore 

Free Maritime eBooks Premium Maritime eBooks Marine Safety Financial Planning Marine Careers Maritime Law Ship Dry Dock

Shipping News Maritime Reports Videos Maritime Piracy Offshore Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) MARPOL

Better Sailing

Sailboat Vs Yacht: What is The Difference?

Many boaters use the terms “sailboat” and “yacht” interchangeably when they are actually quite distinct. A yacht is a larger boat or ship that is used for recreational purposes. The term “yacht” is of Dutch origin, and it was initially described as a small, swift sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to track down and catch pirates. A boat, on the other hand, is a smaller vessel that can range from a fishing boat to a sailboat in size. So, if you’re interested in this topic, this article will compare yachting with sailing in many ways. Like this, you will have a much better understanding of which option is best for you. Keep reading!

Sailboats and Yachts: Meaning

Firstly, it’s important to understand the meaning of each word. Generally, a boat is a form of watercraft that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. A boat is a watercraft that is small enough to fit on a ship, which is typically less than 1,000 feet long. A ship is a huge vessel with a large carrying capacity that can transport other vessels. The size, shape, and capacity of a boat vary depending on its intended usage. Boats are most commonly employed for navigating places along the water’s edge or inland waterways like lakes and rivers, although they can be utilized on any water source. Boats can be used for a variety of purposes, including providing service to people and vessels on the water, recreational activities, commercial passenger, and cargo transportation across waterways.

So, a sailboat (sailing vessel) is a boat that is propelled primarily by the force of the wind on sails. Keep in mind that the term “boat” can cause some misconceptions about the vessel’s size. People may refer to it as a sailing ship rather than a sailing boat once it reaches a particular size. Also, boats are generally thought to be smaller than ships. A sailboat is a water-borne watercraft whose principal means of propulsion is the wind, which is captured and controlled by triangular-shaped pieces of cloth known as ‘sails.’ On the other hand, a powerboat is a watercraft with an internal combustion engine as its primary source of propulsion.

A yacht is most likely a vessel that is primarily used for personal rather than business purposes. There are yachts that you can hire for a week or more. This might add a little confusion as they are commercially owned but within the hire period, they are used by individuals for leisure purposes. Generally, people usually refer to sailboats as yachts or vice-versa. This is a common phenomenon nowadays, however, there are significantly more sailing yachts than motor yachts at the seaside/marina. If you want to specify a boat that is not largely powered by the wind, use the word motor yacht.

Sailing yachts and motor-powered yachts are the two forms of yachts available today. Yachts range in length from 26 feet to hundreds of feet. A cabin cruiser, or just a cruiser, is a luxury vessel that is less than 39 feet long. A superyacht is typically above 70 feet long. So, what is the definition of a mega yacht? They usually exceed 150 feet in length, but there is no top limit! Note that the world’s largest boat is 728 feet long, or 222 meters.

Let’s now check the main differences between a sailboat and a yacht:

Sails and Motor

The boat may be powered purely by the wind or by one or more inboard or outboard motors, depending on the model. While some larger boats may have very massive engines to provide genuine speed on the water, most yacht engines are far less powerful. Yacht engines are substantially larger, can produce far more power – up to 800hp in some circumstances – and can go many further distances.

If you’re searching for a vessel that’s easier to operate, you could argue that a yacht is a superior option. Sure, the computer components are more complicated, and there is more to manage, but sailing will be simpler. In stormy weather, managing a sail can be tricky. From inside the cabin, you can’t manage your sails. You may, however, operate your yacht from the cabin.

It’s a fact that sailboats will always have sails. After all, it’s their primary source of propulsion. The nail is what propels the boat forward by harnessing the wind. So long as the weather permits, sailing can be done anywhere, at any time. Yachting, on the other hand, has its own set of restrictions. A yacht will usually lack a sail, which can be viewed as a good or negative aspect, depending on your perspective.

The advantage of having a sail over only an engine is that you don’t have to worry about running out of fuel. Fuel is not only costly but also inconvenient and pollutes the environment. When on long voyages, you must always keep an eye on your fuel levels, or you risk breaking down at sea. The great thing with sailboats is that as long as there is wind, a sailboat can sail. If you have an extra sail onboard, you should be alright regardless of what occurs. You have a significantly lower chance of being left stranded at sea.

>>Also Read: Sailboats Vs Powerboats: Why Sailboats are Better

Size Matters

The size difference between a yacht and a sailboat is one of the most significant ones. Most of the time, a sailboat will almost certainly be smaller than a yacht. Of course, some sailboats are larger than others, but if we’re talking about average sizes, a yacht will be larger. The reason that size counts so much when deciding which boat to buy is that the available space is limited. So, if you opt for space note that the larger your boat is, the more space you’ll have. This may seem self-evident, but it is one of the most crucial aspects of your boat to which many people forget to give due consideration.

Generally, when it comes to boats, size will always matter. Except in cases where someone prefers overall better performance and speed. But, keep in mind that almost everything you do will be influenced by the size of your boat. The smaller the boat, the less storage space you have, the less space you have for emergency supplies, and even the less space you have for yourself. Regardless of the size of your boat, your sleeping quarters will most certainly be small. Also, depending on your height, every inch of a room may be crucial.

When there are more people on your boat than just you, size matters the most. If you intend to live alone on your yacht, you will have a significant space advantage. If there are three persons on board, you probably going to need more equipment and devices for cooking or for emergencies. All of this suggests that the sleeping space is the most significant distinction between living alone and living with people. If you live alone on a yacht that can sleep four people in theory, you will have a lot more storage and consequently space.

People on Board

The extent to which the crew will influence your decision is mostly determined by your budget and the size of the vessel you are considering buying. Meaning that if you’re intending to buy a sailboat, you won’t need any crew. Except for your family/friends that live on your boat with you, you basically are the entire crew. However, if you own a yacht, it’s an entirely different scenario.

If you intend to live aboard your yacht, you may require the assistance of one or two crew members. There will be plenty to do even if you are the most essential member of the team, i.e. the captain. This is because you might haven’t already mastered things like navigation, maintenance, plumbing, and engineering. So, a yacht often requires a complete crew to assist with navigation, maintenance, electronics and engineering, repairs, and sometimes even stewards to attend to the passengers.

In other words, having a sailboat means that you can take care of everything yourself. There are only a few computer components that will need to be repaired, and you are unlikely to have an engine. Repairing a sailboat isn’t easy in and of itself; it’s just easier for one person to handle. Meaning that it’s far easier to replace a sail than it is to fix an engine. In bad weather, a small sailboat is just easier to monitor than a large yacht. At the absolute least, another set of eyes will be probably required when sailing with a yacht.

Price also Matters

In general, yachts tend to be more expensive than sailboats. Occasionally, a great deal more. For a variety of factors, the most important of which are materials, design, and construction techniques. Note also that a boat’s price is likely to rise as it becomes more modern. Although this isn’t always the case, it is the vast majority of the time. If money is a key factor in deciding which boat to buy, here’s something to think about: just because a yacht is more expensive doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one. If you have the cash, knowledge, and you know the kind of sailing you will be doing then go for a yacht!

Note also that a sailboat can be outfitted with a variety of amenities and conveniences. But, the sailboat doesn’t always include these features. This will mostly depend on the type of sailboat. As a result, buying a basic sailboat can save you a lot of money. However, most yachts will provide high end amenities. As a result, a motor yacht will cost significantly more than a regular sailboat. Sailboats are also smaller than yachts, which means you have a larger selection of less expensive boats to pick from when making your purchase. But, yachts often start in the six-figure range and can reach millions of dollars depending on the yacht’s size, age, and build quality.

Maintenance and Repairs

Yachts are frequently more expensive to maintain than sailboats. Meaning that boat engines require a great deal of upkeep, and the expense of fuel can be prohibitive for many individuals. For example, did you know that a gallon of diesel fuel in a yacht may only allow you to travel less than 1 nautical mile? If you’re going on a long voyage out to the sea, you can end up spending a lot of money on fuel. A sailboat, on the other hand, can take you wherever you want to go with very little fuel. Bear in mind also that a yacht’s insurance is more expensive than that of a sailboat. One of the main reasons is because it is classified as a yacht.

In addition to the boat’s price there are some other things to consider. The most important one is maintenance and repairs. A boat will always need these and it might need them once per month or once per year. It depends on the kind of repairs and on the way in which you “treat” your boat. Also, if you’re buying a used sailboat, you will need sometimes more research and more money for upgrades. It will be repainted, restored, and upgraded, although it will remain the same size. You should approach buying a boat in the same way that you would with a car. So, according to the size and kind of boat you want to buy, it’s important to keep in mind the price and extra costs as well.

While advanced marine electronics and navigation systems are available on some boats, they are more of a must for yachts. When doing transatlantic voyages, it is critical not only to be able to navigate with precision but also to be able to identify other boats or objects that you may not be able to see, as well as to comprehend your vessel’s performance.

When it comes to technology, it’s not just about whether you’re choosing a sailboat or a yacht. The age of the specific vessel is also something to consider. A sailboat that is more than ten years old may not be as technologically advanced as a brand new sailboat. Better technology can offer a lot of opportunities for you if you decide to buy a yacht. First and foremost, it can make working on your boat much more convenient. There’s no reason you couldn’t work remotely from your boat if you have the ability to set up a functional office with wifi.

Technology also brings up a lot of new possibilities for you when it comes to the act of sailing. A sailboat could traverse the Pacific or Atlantic, but it would be rather difficult. On the other hand, with a yacht, it can be a lot easier. In comparison to a sailboat, your yacht will have advanced navigational systems, warning and guidance systems, and many more safety features.

Sea, Lakes, or Rivers?

Bear in mind that in shallow waters, large yachts are unable to sail. A sailboat is a way to go if you plan on sailing in areas with shallow waters. In the Caribbean, for example, a yacht might be difficult to navigate. At the very least, it’ll be more difficult than sailing. A yacht, on the other hand, may travel to far more places than a sailboat.

A small sailboat might theoretically sail across the Atlantic. However, it can be quite risky, and your boat might not be able to withstand the strong winds and waves. Furthermore, if you’re aboard a sailboat, you can be the only one on board. This means that if the worst happens, far out at sea, there will be no one to aid you. You can do it, of course, but it is risky.

So, smaller boats may normally operate in calmer seas such as lakes, rivers, and shallow harbors. Larger boats, usually between 20 and 30 feet long, can equally navigate rougher ocean seas. A yacht, on the other hand, can sail in deeper ocean waters and handle more choppy seas. Yachts are significantly more ideal for lengthy ocean voyages due to their bigger size, high-tech electronics and guidance equipment, weather protection, and a variety of other characteristics.

>>Also Read: Sailing Vs Boating: Why Sailing Is Better

Sailboat and Yatch Construction

Depending on the anticipated scale of production, sailboat makers can fabricate their own parts or order them. Masts, sails, engines, and metal fittings are common items provided by specialty vendors. Boatbuilders, on the other hand, create their own fiberglass hulls, using Gel coat polyester resin, a catalyst for the resin, woven fiberglass roving, and fiberglass. Wooden hull manufacturers create and shape their own wood in the same way. Note that the main building materials used in boat construction are aluminum, metal, wood, and fiberglass. The unique structure of each material offers a different design and usage as well as additional features to the way in which the boat is built.

Material considerations are important, whether they affect the cost or the durability of the product. Fiberglass, carbon fiber, and metals such as titanium will also be used to construct a boat. On the contrary, a sailboat will most likely be composed of wood or fiberglass. So, in case you value safety and sturdiness above all else, and money isn’t a big issue, a yacht will be significantly safer for you.

The material can also influence the way in which you make repairs. For instance, a wooden boat is much easier to repair than a metal boat. You can make some simple and quick repairs using wood, and they’ll probably last till you get to a marina. To do major repairs on a yacht, you’ll need a lot of specialized equipment and knowledge. Moreover, you may need to ask for a crew member to help you with this.

Sailboat Vs Yacht – Summary

As you can see there are many differences between a sailboat and a yacht. Nowadays many people tend to confuse or don’t be aware of the exact meaning and differences of these vessels, and it’s normal. But, we, as sailors, have to know the differences in order to understand which kind of boat is right for us. For example, if you want big spaces, luxury, or intend to liveaboard then you should opt for a yacht. But, if you want to experience the true joy of sailing, sail anywhere without worrying about polluting the environment or spending too much on fuel, then go for a sailboat! It will entirely depend on your needs and preferences so weigh the pros and cons of each one before making the decision.

In any case, I hope that you have now clarified the differences between these two and that you will make the right choice. I wish you all safe & enjoyable voyages!

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

Related Posts

Atlantic vs Pacific: Which is More Dangerous for Sailing?

Boat vs. ship: What's the difference? The annoying mistake some cruisers keep making

Vacationing on a cruise ship? That's great, but for the love of all that is nautical, please don't call it a boat.

Modern-day cruise behemoths have earned the right to be called ships. The name is grand, it implies stature, and it lets everyone know that there's some sort of official larger purpose, whether it's the transportation of goods or of people.

What's the official difference between a boat and a ship? Technically, there isn't one that's universally accepted. Everyone seems to have their own ideas about what defines each, with no final verdict. Some say it has to do with size or tonnage, while others argue it's about how many masts the vessel has or whether it's a submarine (which, I'm told, is always a boat). Still others claim it's more about the bodies of water on which a vessel is designed to spend its days.

Regardless, the one certainty is that you'll sound like you have no idea what you're talking about if you refer to a cruise vessel — except maybe a riverboat — as a boat instead of a ship. In that vein, to help you understand the differences, let's take a look at some of the most popular differentiators, depending on whom you ask.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Vessel size

When you ask the average person what makes a vessel a ship versus a boat, they'll often tell you that it comes down to size. A ship is big; a boat is small. That seems to be the most common consensus, but those terms are arbitrary. What constitutes large and small?

In researching, I've discovered there's no official length at which a vessel becomes a ship. Sources cite everything from 100 feet to 200 feet in length and everything in between.

In terms of height, some seafarers insist that any vessel with more than one deck is a ship, and anything with only a single deck is a boat, as presented by The Guardian via a reader in the paper's Semantic Enigmas section.

Another common size-related refrain — one that's used by the United States Naval Institute — is that if a vessel is large enough to carry other vessels, it's a ship.

"In general, a boat is a watercraft ... that is small enough to be carried on board a larger one, and that larger one is a ship," said Lt. Cmdr. Thomas J. Cutler in a blog post on the USNI's website . "This is sometimes expressed this way: 'A ship can carry a boat, but a boat can never carry a ship.'"

Vessel tonnage

Tonnage is another determinant some entities use to qualify vessels as ships instead of boats. In fact, the maritime information website Marine Insight claims it's one of the most important factors to consider.

Vessels of more than 500 tons, regardless of size, are ships, according to the site.

Where the vessel sails

I recently sailed on my first U.S. river cruise, during which a lecturer explained that boats are specifically built for inland waterways, such as lakes and rivers. "This is a boat, despite its size," she said, also noting that it carries lifeboats (which would make it a ship by some definitions).

Supporting this theory is Scientific American , which quotes The Straight Dope (Cecil Adams, the self-proclaimed smartest man in the world) as saying, "With regard to motorized craft, a ship is a large vessel intended for oceangoing or at least deep-water transport, and a boat is anything else."

How the vessel corners

A handful of online query results say another way to tell a ship from a boat is by observing the direction in which it leans when it turns.

"A U.S. Navy rule of thumb is that ships lean towards the outside of a sharp turn, while boats lean towards the inside," The Maritime Post said. For a more relatable visual, think about a motorcycle versus a car. The former leans in as you go around a turn; the latter leans away from the center of the turn.

Vessel propulsion and design

As you might expect from a larger vessel, ships often have more complex construction than boats. They also have more machinery on board than boats do, whether that's in the way of navigation or engine room accouterments.

Further, how they're propelled might differ. Most modern-day ships are powered by engines, whereas boats can be moved by anything from oars or sails to engines, according to Marine Insight .

Number of masts on the vessel

In terms of sailing vessels, if a rig has three masts or more, it's considered a ship, per the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts. To qualify, it must also have square sails on all masts.

Obviously, most modern-day cruise ships don't have masts. (Exceptions are ships from Windstar and Star Clippers.) Although this rule is less relevant today, it does come up frequently in maritime circles when discussing the difference between a ship and a boat.

Bottom line

There's no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to determining whether a vessel is a ship or a boat. Generally, the most common ideas about this seem to revolve around size: tonnage, number of decks or whether or not the vessel can carry other boats.

Lots of people will have opinions about the "correct" criteria, but the bottom line is that you should never refer to a cruise ship as a boat if it carries travelers on the ocean for vacation.

Got more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

• Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
• What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
• What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
• What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
• What is tendering on a cruise ship?
• What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?
• What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
• What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships?
• What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?

Boat vs Yacht: Main Differences in Size, Length, and Features

Can you tell the difference between a boat and a yacht? You should be able to if you’re a sailing enthusiast. If you can’t, then this post was made exactly for you. If you can tell the difference between the two, then use this article as a tool to verify if all that your sailing knowledge is correct.

When can a boat be considered a yacht?

The answer to this question is open to debate. But just so you know the general standard, a boat is already considered a yacht if it is already 30 feet long. A lot would debate though that more than the size, it is the style, elegance, and feel of a yacht that mainly differentiates it from a regular boat. A smaller boat can very well be considered a yacht if it has the right look and feel to it.

Yachts are more for personal use. Except for ones that are available for charter. If you’re interested in chartering one, you should consider contacting  Simpson Marine yacht brokers .

What are the main differences between a yacht and a boat?

You can easily tell a yacht from a boat if you’d consider the following factors:

A yacht is almost always bigger than a regular boat. This is because a boat by definition is any water vessel or floating transport that can be stowed aboard a ship. A boat can be of any size. In fact, more technical guides provide that a boat is any floating transportation that does not go over 196 feet LOA.

Yachts are way bigger as they can be over 40 meters LOA. The richest of the rich privately own superyachts, megayachts, and gigayachts. Per 2019, the biggest recorded yacht is Azzam and it is owned by the President of the United Arab Emirates. It is 590 feet long. Azzam means ‘determination’ in Arabic.

2. Aesthetic

You don’t need to be a sailing expert to know the difference between the aesthetic of a regular boat and a yacht. Yachts have sophisticated designs that exude elegance and luxury. Boat designs don’t necessarily have such a look and feel. The feel of luxury possibly originated from the fact that it was Charles II of England who popularized the use of luxurious water vessels for personal use. In truth, you can simply say that if a water vessel exudes luxury and is more expensive with a sophisticated premium design, it is a yacht.

Boats are used for both commercial and non-commercial needs while yachts are almost exclusively used for personal use. Yachts are designed with luxury and personal pleasure in mind.

4. Amenities

A yacht is considered a recreational boat with several comfort amenities to entertain guests, such as a sophisticated entertainment system, tub, and creative lighting fixtures. Superyachts have swimming pools, sports courts, beach clubs, private cinemas, and even helicopter decks. On the other hand, boats don’t have many luxurious amenities found in yachts. Learn more about superyachts below.

What is a Superyacht?

There is no way to stop the birth of bigger and bigger yachts by the year. This is why we now have terms such as Superyacht, Megayacht, and Gigayacht. People often interchange Superyacht and Megayacht to refer to yachts that go over 40 meters of 130 feet LOA. Superyachts are usually owned by the world’s top millionaires.

Consider finding a secure yacht mooring facility such as  Emerald Landing  for your boat the next time you go for a boating experience.

Superyacht Sizes

You can expect to witness the birth of ever bigger yachts in your lifetime but do be guided by the following sizes when it comes to massive ones that already exist today:

Superyacht:  Ranges from 120 feet to 200 feet Megayacht:  Ranges from 200 feet to 300 feet Gigayacht:  Anything that goes over 300 feet. With this standard guideline, you can consider the Azzam as a gigayacht.

Other Ways to Classify Yachts

Apart from size classification, yachts can also be differentiated when it comes to their many variations. The following are the most popular ones:

1. Weekender

A yacht is a weekender if it has at least one or two cabins with basic functions. Weekender cabins are usually small. Weekender yachts come with basic plumbing and a small kitchen (galley). A Weekender yacht can perfectly accommodate a few guests for two nights at most. Hence, its name.

2. Cruisers

A Cruiser is bigger and better than a Weekender yacht. It is equipped enough to accommodate many guests for long periods. With one, you can have a sailing holiday that can last for weeks or months. A Cruiser is fully equipped to allow for a comfortable long vacation. One can even live permanently in a Cruiser.

3. Day Cruiser

A Day Cruiser is a basic yacht with an open deck. It has no cabin and offers limited luxuries to guests. As it has no cabin, it cannot accommodate guests for an overnight stay. It is perfect though for afternoon sailing, gatherings, and celebrations by the deck. If you’re after a hassle-free afternoon sailing with family and friends, a Day Cruiser will be perfect for you.

4. Sport Fishing Yachts

A Sport Fishing Yacht is simply a Cruiser that comes with specialized features for fishing enthusiasts. It can come with more cabins. It comes with complete fishing equipment for extended fishing trips. Just like a Cruiser, it has a galley and basic plumbing. Sport Fishing Yachts can't cater well to numerous guests. It can however fully support an enjoyable fishing expedition. For a more in-depth understanding of Sport Fishing Yachts and how they enhance your fishing experience, learn more here.

Indeed, yachts allow you to enjoy exploring the beautiful scenery and adventure water activities like sports fishing during your weekend getaway or luxury vacation. Learn more about making fishing fun and easy at  Fishing Outcast .

5. Racing Yachts

Racing yachts are not the most comfortable kind of yachts. It has stripped-down features that allow for speedy sailing. It only has basic amenities that can only cater to a few people. Racing yachts have light frames and heavy keels that allow for large sails.

6. Luxury Yachts

Luxury yachts are grand yachts . They come complete with luxurious amenities for extended holiday vacations that are fully comfortable and decadent. Luxury yachts are owned by the world’s richest who can easily decide to sail at any given time for however long they desire.

Buying Or Renting?

Buying a boat is cheaper than a yacht because of the high-end features that the latter provides. The same goes with renting. If you plan to rent, it’s critical that you choose a boat or yacht rental service that offers excellent customer service and emergency contingency measures. Check out this website for your boat rental needs.

Whether you plan to buy or rent a boat or yacht, conduct careful research, check the features, and compare the sellers or rental services in terms of cost, service warranty, and technical support.

Knowing the main differences between a boat and a yacht can help you decide on the best one to use for your next water adventure. Whether you plan to go island hopping, fishing, or cruising to  celebrate milestones , determining the essential factors when choosing a boat or a yacht will help you create more unforgettable and enjoyable experiences.

More Random articles you might enjoy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Community Features

Get traveling, backpacker 101.

Floating resorts vs yacht-like vessels: How to pick between big and small cruise ships

• Small ships are more like quaint towns, with easier navigation and more personalized service.
• Large ships offer a wide range of eateries, bars and entertainment.

The right ship comes down to the type of vacation experience you want.

I took two cruises in July, and they couldn’t have been more different.

After spending 10 days on Seabourn Pursuit, the cruise line’s 264-guest expedition vessel, I returned home for a few days before boarding Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas , which can accommodate over 20 times that.

Cruise ships range in size from yacht-like vessels to mega-ships that are more like floating resorts. And as much as cruises may be about the ports they visit, the ship you pick can shape the destination you can access and ultimately, the kind of trip you have. Here’s how they differ and how to know which is right for you.

What are small-ship cruises like?

If mega-ships can feel like cities at sea, small ships are perhaps more like quaint towns. It’s easier to find your way around, faces become familiar quickly and the server at the nearby eatery knows how you like your eggs.

“The service is just 100% going to be much more intense than any other type of sailing,” said Joanna Kuther, a New York City-based travel agent and owner of Port Side Travel Consultants. The majority of cruise lines sailing ships with capacities in the 200 to 700 range are luxury brands that already put a premium on service – though that can vary by operator – but there are practical reasons too.

Many of those ships have higher crew-to-guest ratios, making it easier to give customers a personalized experience. “We want people to feel that it’s (a) yacht-like atmosphere,” Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn, told USA TODAY on board.

Small-ship cruises generally bundle more in their fares than those on larger vessels, from food to drinks like wine and spirits, select excursions and more. Some inclusions can be particularly extravagant.

On Seabourn, for example, guests can order caviar for delivery any time of day at no additional cost (I had to try it out for research purposes during an expedition through Western Australia’s Kimberley region ).

That doesn’t necessarily mean the price tags will be higher, though. While the upfront fare may cost more, by the time guests add up drink packages , specialty dining, Wi-Fi and other extras that are typically charged separately on large mainstream ships, their expenses may not be so different.

“Don't worry about what you're paying when you go on,” Kuther said. “It's what you pay when you come off.”

If the prospect of thousands of cabins and fellow guests seems overwhelming, a small ship can also offer a more manageable experience. Lines and crowds are a relative rarity and there’s less chance of getting lost trying to find your room (a situation I’ve encountered more than once on large ships).

Getting on and off is easier, Kuther added, with the vessels often docking closer to the city center or in ports that can’t accommodate larger vessels. They also stay overnight more frequently, relieving the pressure of packing sightseeing into a shorter window.

“That is amazing because if you've ever gotten off of a mega-ship tendering into Santorini, it's like the most insane thing,” she said. “Like, you're fighting for your life to get into the funicular. So, it’s definitely an elevated experience.”

While many are well-appointed, they do have a more limited number of amenities and dining options. On an Aurora Expeditions Antarctica cruise in December, the Sylvia Earle ship had only two restaurants. I enjoyed the food and some offerings rotated, but by the end of the 11-day trip I was ready to change it up.

Travelers with children may find the ships lacking in kid-friendly activities, too.

What are big-ship cruises like?

By contrast, guests on big ships are spoiled for choice. “You can't beat the variety if that's what you're looking for,” said Kuther.

Larger ships offer a wide range of eateries, bars and entertainment. Carnival Cruise Line’s Jubilee ship, for example, has more than 20 dining options, from Guy’s Burger Joint to tacos and burritos at BlueIguana Cantina and Coastal Slice pizza – not to mention the BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster , a water park, and Loft 19, a quieter retreat at the top of the vessel.

Those kinds of ships can be particularly well-suited to families or large groups who want options. Royal Caribbean divided its Oasis Class – and later Icon Class – into neighborhoods with that in mind.

“Everyone has got something to do and are excited to do during the day … And then in the evening, everybody can come together in one of I don’t know how many restaurants and have a great family meal or a date night or just a burger, and then they have a fantastic show,” president and CEO Michael Bayley said in a media briefing on board Utopia.

Large ships have more to offer passengers “who really want to party” as well, Kuther noted.

The scale also allows cruise lines to create more immersive experiences. On Utopia, the second-largest cruise ship in the world , I had dinner outside one night at the Chops Grille steakhouse in the vessel’s Central Park neighborhood. With a breeze blowing through the open-air walkway and the sound of crickets in the background – which the cruise line pipes in – I could’ve been convinced I wasn’t on a ship. 

Guests are less likely to feel the movement of the waves at that size, which also can be helpful for passengers who are fearful of water or prone to seasickness , Kuther said.

A number of cruise lines have ship-within-a-ship concepts , too, that allow guests to escape the crowds in exclusive accommodations, restaurants and sun decks, while still having access to the wider range of onboard offerings (though some offer a greater degree of separation than others).

It’s worth noting, however, that “small” and “big” are relative terms, and many mainstream cruise lines operate ships in the 1,500-to-2,500-passenger range. Those can offer a kind of middle ground, with a more intimate experience often at a lower price point (though Kuther noted that’s partly because those ships tend to be older).

Still, the overall experience of a bigger ship may cause sensory overload for some travelers.

Which is right for me?

• If you’re looking for adventure on an expedition or want to be pampered on a quiet, lower-key vessel, small ships are the way to go.
• If you want lots of things to do, places to eat and ways to party, consider a bigger ship . But there’s sure to be one that suits you.

As Kuther put it, “(If) people say they don't like cruising, I will always 100% say, ‘You just weren't on the right cruise.’”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .