Explainer: What is a sportsbridge yacht?

Superyacht taxonomy is a rich, diverse and occasionally confusing practice. And the sportsbridge yacht is a great example of a little-known yacht category. Ever wondered what the phrase "sportsbridge" really means? Or what makes a sportsbridge model different to a pilothouse, or a flybridge, or even a sports yacht? BOAT answers all...

What does a sportsbridge yacht look like?

A sportsbridge is designed as a sportier take on the traditional pilothouse yacht. Both have raised bridge decks (the upper deck area with a control station or helm). The difference lies in whether the helm station is enclosed or exposed. 

A covered bridge deck characterises a pilothouse model, while a sportsbridge will have its bridge deck open and more elevated for better visibility and manoeuvrability. The construction of a sportsbridge will also focus more on weight saving for increased speed.

Yachts in this category will be lean, light and between 15- to 24-metres long. They also have a similar layout to a sports yacht, including an aft cockpit, tender garage and fixed sunpads. It may be helpful to imagine sportsbridge as a "hybrid" category, as a sportsbridge yacht will borrow design elements from both a pilothouse and a sports yacht.

So, what is the difference between a sportsbridge yacht and a flybridge yacht?

Sportsbridge yachts are often compared to flybridge yachts, as they both have exposed bridge decks. But the bridge deck on board a sportsbridge yacht is usually smaller, as the category demands a trim, low-profile design. 

A flybridge yacht is also more likely to have a hardtop (a solid roof structure) above the bridge deck, while a sportsbridge will be entirely exposed or have an optional Bimini that can be set up for shade.

What are the pros and cons of a sportsbridge yacht?

Advantages of a sportsbridge yacht

• The raised, exposed helm allows the captain to have a higher vantage point, improving visibility and situational awareness, especially when docking or navigating in crowded or complex waters
• High performance and speeds, comparable to a sports yacht
• Exterior space is well utilised, including fixed sunpads on the bow

Disadvantages of a sportsbridge yacht

• The exposed bridge deck makes a sportsbridge yacht unsuitable for certain climates
• Greater fuel consumption and less suitability for long-range cruising compared to other models
• Less headroom compared to a pilothouse yacht or other cruising-focused models

What are some famous sportsbridge yacht brands?

• British builder Princess Yachts has several sportsbridge models, ranging from the 19.2-metre S62 to the 24.4-metre S80. The first unit in the S80 series made her world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival
• Italian shipyard Pershing, a brand of Ferretti Group, launched its first GTX80 sportsbridge model in 2024
• Polish yard Galeon Yachts has a 650 Skydeck model, which measures 20.8 metres and functions as the sportsbridge version of its flybridge model, the 640 Fly.

How much does a sportsbridge yacht cost?

The price of a sportsbridge yacht depends on several factors, including the builder, length, gross tonnage and level of customisation and use. A 10-metre sportsbridge model with heavy use could cost as little as £50,000, while a 24.4-metre-plus yacht in "turnkey" condition (and from a highly regarded brand) could be priced anywhere between £1.5 to £2 million.