Motor Yacht: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

The advent of the first sufficiently powerful engine capable of propelling a yacht began an endless debate about which type of yacht is better: a motor or a sailing yacht? Yachtsmen are ready to rub their fingers on the keyboard and lose their voices in an attempt to prove the superiority of one or another type of yacht. 

This article will not continue this discussion. Instead, we want to offer all interested yachtsmen a first (or second, depending on your experience) look at the features of motor yachts.  

What is a motor yacht? And how is it different from a sailing yacht?

As the name suggests, a motor yacht is a yacht powered by a motor. Structurally, a motor boat has a number of significant differences from a sailing yacht. These differences fundamentally change the approach to sailing and cruise planning. Let's look at these differences in more detail.

Draft and height

A motor yacht does not have a high mast, which means there is no need for a long keel to balance the yacht's hull. The absence of a deep keel and mast has a dramatic effect on the performance of a motor boat. Let's start with the positive aspects: now you can get to the most inaccessible places for a sailboat. For example, you can get almost right up to the shore without fear of getting stuck in shallow water. It also becomes possible to pass under almost any bridge - there is no mast.

On the other hand, the stability of a motor yacht in the open sea and with a strong heel will directly depend on its dimensions. Due to the lack of a keel, a motor boat will be more susceptible to heeling and pitching in strong winds and waves. In this regard, a sailboat will feel much more stable and steady.

Space for relaxation and living on board

Compared to sailboats, motor yachts offer slightly more space for relaxation on the deck. The free space is formed due to the absence of winches, sails and masts. The interior space varies in volume from manufacturer to manufacturer, but in general it is slightly larger than the average yacht of similar dimensions.

As with their sailing counterparts, motor catamarans typically offer more space for onboard relaxation than monohulls. In principle, cruising monohull motor yachts are rather an exception to the rule - their niche has long been reliably occupied by motor catamarans. We do not include monohull motor superyachts in this category.

Monohull motorboats are typically used as "motor daysalers" with one or two cabins for short stays on board. Motor catamarans are much better suited for cruising in this regard.

Travel speed and range

A pleasure sailboat has a lower speed on average than a motor yacht of the same size. A sailing yacht develops a speed of about 7-8 knots per hour and only in good wind, while a motor yacht can easily reach a speed of 15-20 knots and move for quite a long time without stopping. In this regard, a motor yacht is more suitable for lovers of speed and drive. 

At the same time, a motor yacht is tied to fuel sources. If an internal combustion engine is installed on board, then you will have to visit marinas with enviable frequency to refuel. The situation with solar-powered electric motors is better, but still does not compare with the autonomy of sailing yachts. A sailing yacht can start the engine exactly twice during the entire cruise: when leaving and entering the marina. Naturally, provided the weather is good.

On the other hand, on a motor yacht you are not limited in direction – you can literally point the wheel wherever your eyes look. A sailboat cannot do this, you have to choose a course, watch the wind, constantly adjust the sails… 

There is also a purely philosophical aspect to choosing a boat: for sailboaters, the journey is often an end in itself, and the days spent under sail can be more important than the final destination. At the same time, a motorboater wants to reach his destination without unnecessary difficulties. The result is important here, and how efficiently and quickly it can be achieved. This is not about whether a motorboat or a sailboat is better. It is about different approaches to life.

The main disadvantages of a motor boat

In the previous points we outlined the general pool of features of motor boats, now we will pay closer attention to problematic points. If you are considering a motor boat for purchase, then you need to approach the choice sensibly, taking off your rose-colored glasses. 

Fuel problem

Did we write that motor yachts are fuel dependent? Well, that was an understatement. will have to plan your routes based only on the cruising range and fuel capacity of your yacht. Again, this is not as big a problem as it may seem, but it does impose serious restrictions on the geography of travel. 

The problem of autonomy will be especially acute for yachtsmen who have previously traveled under sail. After minimal use of the engine on a sailboat, constant dependence on the fuel level can become quite a depressing factor. In fact, this is not a problem, it just requires a change in your approach to planning. 

If you are concerned about the environment, it is better to choose a sailboat or a motor yacht with electric engines. Most motor yachts today are equipped with various types of engines that run on fossil fuels. This fact can also put off potential customers.

Stability and silence

Motorboats do have reduced stability in strong waves and wind. Because of this, using or renting a motor yacht is most appropriate in calm waters during the summer season. This way, you can not only fully relax, but also save your nerve cells and vestibular apparatus during heeling and strong pitching.

Also, unlike sailing yachts, silence can be a problem for a motorboat. While a sailing yacht moves almost silently along the waves, cutting through the water surface, a motorboat roars off into the distance, stinking the air with exhaust gases. The problem of air purity is only true for internal combustion engines, but the engine noise can be quite loud even for electric yachts. 

Have you managed to say goodbye to your dreams because of these disadvantages? Don't despair ahead of time. Let's move on to the advantages of motorboats and who they are ideal for.

Who is a motor yacht suitable for?

The main advantage of a motorboat is its simplicity. Start the engine and go ahead, towards adventure! Due to its power and speed, a motorboat can take you to fairly remote places in the shortest possible time, the main thing is to have enough fuel for the return trip. 

A motor yacht is a particularly good investment if you often travel between small islands or like to go fishing at sea. In addition, a motor boat can be operated by just one person. In this case, a motor yacht is a great option for independent recreation or recreation with a small group of friends. 

Motor yachts are revered and loved despite their shortcomings; because their advantages outweigh them. Speed and simplicity – that’s all you need for a comfortable time on the water.

Motorboat season

As mentioned above, the best time for a cruise and a motor yacht vacation is the summer season. It is at this time that the waters are quite calm, there are no strong winds and the weather is generally good. Yes, the seasonal “window” for using motor yachts at sea is shorter than that of sailing yachts, but motor boats can be used to travel much faster and easier on inland waters – rivers, lakes. This makes a motor boat an indispensable partner for yachtsmen and fishermen throughout the year.

Motor Yacht Licenses

In the case of a motorboat, the licensing situation is a little simpler than with sailboats. The type of skipper's license required is determined by two criteria: engine power and the navigation area. In general, coastal navigation on a boat with an engine power of less than 4 kW (about 5 hp) does not require a special license. This applies to houseboats and small "day" boats.

For boats with a higher engine power, you will need a license to operate a motorboat in coastal waters (sea) or inland waters (rivers, lakes). In addition, it is advisable to have a radio operator's license, which certifies your ability to communicate using VHF communication. 

What to look for when choosing a motor yacht?

In principle, when buying or chartering a motor yacht, the same rules apply as for a sailing yacht, with a reservation on the design. Your main weapons are your eyes and experience. We wrote more about accepting a charter boat in the following article:

Interior layout features

When choosing a motorboat, pay attention to its external and internal dimensions. Usually, motor yachts have a slightly different interior and deck layout than their sailing "sisters". Small motor boats have one or two cabins. It is difficult to spend a weekend on such yachts even in the company of close family members due to the lack of personal space. 

The problem is solved on larger motor yachts, for example in line of motor yachts from Fountaine Pajot. These yachts are large enough to accommodate a group of friends and even several couples, while maintaining a sufficient level of privacy and quiet. 

Route planning

The choice of boat depends entirely on your goals. If your goal is to go out to sea, fish and return home, then look for a boat with the appropriate performance, more resistant to pitching. If you dream of cruising along small paradise islands somewhere in the Caribbean, then pay attention to how much fuel a motor yacht consumes. 

In the case of motorboats, the route will have to be planned much more precisely than with sailing yachts.

Types of Motor Boats

There are several types of motorboats. There are a great many different models and hull types available for sale and charter, so anyone can find a boat to their taste. Let's look at some of the most popular types of motorboats.

Small motor boats

This category mainly includes boats up to 5-8 meters long. Often, you can find RIBs or fully inflatable boats among them. They are designed for fishing on lakes and rivers, as well as for short trips on inland waters or along the seashore. 

Small boats are equipped with an outboard engine and are very easy to operate. In most cases, you won't need any license to operate such a boat.

Houseboat

A houseboat or floating house is a special type of motor yacht. Houseboats can be called an intermediate link between a full-fledged motorboat and a comfortable apartment on the water. Floating houses are designed for traveling along rivers, canals, lakes and even ponds. Houseboat engines are more powerful than those of small-sized boats, but a license is also not required.

Houseboats are a unique experience that is not like the classic yachting routine. We wrote more about houseboat travel in this article:

Motor catamarans

After controlling a sailing catamaran, a motor one will seem very simple. About as simple as an automatic transmission is simpler than a manual one. Forget about ropes, winches, sails. Just start the engine and enjoy!

There are, of course, some difficulties in controlling a motor catamaran. For example, engine trim. The point is that the engine propeller is at an angle of 90 degrees to the water surface. When picking up speed, the bow (or bows) of the catamaran can rise, causing the propeller to cease to be perpendicular to the water surface. For a comfortable trip, the trim should be periodically calibrated and reduce the change in the inclination of the propeller to zero.

Supercatamarans or superyachts

They are usually sold at exorbitant prices. Few can afford to charter them, let alone buy them. A superyacht is any yacht that is longer than 24-25 meters. It is common practice among superyacht owners to hire a crew to operate the yacht. 

Often people who have previously worked in the civil or merchant navy become skippers of motor superyachts. Generally speaking, you will only get the pleasure of managing your own superyacht in very limited conditions. Therefore, we recommend taking smaller yachts, but with the opportunity to experience independent management.

New video on the Interparus channel🎥

Deep modification of the yacht is good, but absolutely not necessary. In the new issue we will tell you how to make the yacht of your dreams with minimal investment using the example of Isla 40. Enjoy watching!

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10.08.2024