BOAT's guide to motor yachts explores the defining features, advantages and best uses of each style, helping you discover which type suits you.
When it comes to choosing a motor yacht there are many different types and styles to choose from, each designed with specific needs and tastes in mind. Whether you're drawn to the graceful lines of a neo-classical yacht, the open-air style of a flybridge or the speed of a sportfisher, learning how to define these distinct designs will help you find the perfect vessel for your yachting lifestyle.
For those who love heritage and craftsmanship, classic and neo-classical yachts deliver old-world charm with modern amenities. If versatility and space are priority, a flybridge or sportsbridge yacht provides elevated views and outdoor social areas. Adventurers and avid anglers may prefer a sportfisher, built for deep-sea fishing and offshore cruising. Meanwhile, multihull yachts are gaining popularity for their stability, fuel efficiency and expansive interiors, making them ideal for long passages and eco-conscious owners.
Classic style or neo-classical yachts
A blend of timeless and modern style, neo-classical superyachts combine the grace of traditional yachts with contemporary engineering and comfort. Their styling often harks back to the golden age of yachting but is combined with state-of-the-art propulsion and amenities.
Typically this yacht is identified by a long, sleek hull and graceful lines. Interiors will feature wood or wood-like detailing such as rich mahogany, with brass or chrome accents featured in portholes and handrails. It will often feature a classic-shaped bow such as a canoe stern which curves smoothly and tapers to a point mirroring the shape of a canoe, or a flared bow, where the hull widens as it rises from the waterline.
Classic yachts
Classic superyachts are identified by their traditional yacht designs which include long, elegant hulls, deep clipper bows or rounded sterns. They can be authentic vintage vessels (often restored or refitted) or new builds inspired by traditional designs. Interiors may have Art Deco, Edwardian, or Victorian influences. These characterful yachts are commonly yachts for charter or owned by someone who wants a piece of yachting history. Famous classic superyachts include Christina O, once owned by shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, the 50-metre classic motor yacht Malahne and former expedition yacht turned luxury cruiser, Blue Bird of 1938.
Raised pilothouse yachts
Raised pilothouse configurations on motor yachts have been around for more than 60 years. A raised pilothouse yacht has a separate, elevated bridge, or pilothouse, which sits between the main deck and upper decks. This configuration not only creates more interior space in the main living areas but enhances visibility for the captain and frees up room for a more expansive saloon or owner’s suite.
This yacht style is popular with owners who prefer a balance between comfort and efficient yacht operation and is ideal for long-range cruising with a professional crew.
Sportfisher yachts
A hybrid between a superyacht and a high-performance fishing boat, a sportfisher superyacht is built for deep-sea fishing but comes with the comfort and convenience of a luxury yacht.
A sportfisher yacht is a robust yacht designed to withstand rough seas. It is typically equipped with a sleek, aerodynamic hull and powerful engines, and often can reach speeds of 30 knots. A sportfisher will have a large fuel capacity for extended offshore trips, and for this reason, the interiors will have spacious accommodation and communal areas.
You can identify a sportfisher yacht by its elevated flybridge for spotting, catching fish and navigating. It has an open cockpit at the rear which is spacious enough that anglers can move around and is fitted with state-of-the-art gear and fish lockers tailored to the owner’s fishing preference.
This motor yacht style is aimed at avid anglers who want luxury alongside serious fishing capabilities – as well as the ability to tackle longer trips at sea for deep-sea fishing tournaments and adventure cruising.
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A flybridge yacht is a motor yacht with an open, upper deck featuring helm controls, seating and sometimes a bar or lounge area which is situated above a wheelhouse or saloon. It provides an elevated vantage point, offering better visibility for navigation, as well as a perfect place to enjoy unobstructed views of the ocean. On larger yachts, the helm station is usually secondary to an enclosed helm or wheelhouse below.
Flybridge yachts are perfect for tropical destinations where outdoor space is more desirable than enclosed interiors.
Sportsbridge yachts
A sportsbridge, also known as a sport bridge or sport flybridge, is a sporty variation of the flybridge. It has a lower, more streamlined profile for enhanced speed and efficiency and is usually more integrated into the yacht’s superstructure than a flybridge.
Designed for high-speed cruising with luxury amenities, it is best suited for owners who want both sportiness and comfort. Flybridges usually offer more space and amenities for relaxing and socialising, whereas sportsbridges are more compact and integrated.
Multihull
A multihull superyacht has more than one hull - typically a catamaran (two hulls) or a trimaran (three hulls). Multihulls are popular in motor and sailing yacht categories. Unlike traditional monohulls, multihulls offer a number of advantages: their wide platform means they are less susceptible to the rolling motion of the sea, making them more stable in rough seas and better for seasickness.
The rolling and pitching motion of a monohull can feel unsafe, whereas a multihull doesn’t heel and feels safer to walk around in stormy conditions. Their stability also reduces drag and helps with fuel efficiency. This, along with their self-sufficiency, make them perfect for long passages.
Another advantage of a multihull is its sheer volume and wider beam, which makes for spacious saloons and cabins, although this can often be considered a disadvantage when it comes to berthing and docking. On the flipside, multihulls have shallow drafts, which allows you to moor closer to the beach. Their fuel efficiency means they are a popular yacht choice for eco-conscious owners, as well as owners wishing to charter their boat, thanks to their spacious accommodation and living areas.
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