Yacht

A vessel used principally for recreation, cruising or sport rather than commercial carriage or working service.

A yacht may be sailing or motor-powered and can range from a small cabin craft to a very large vessel. The word describes use and social or regulatory context more than one hull form, size or level of luxury.

Legal definitions vary by flag state, commercial use, length, tonnage and whether guests pay for carriage. A charter yacht may be regulated as a commercial vessel even though it retains the name, so the term alone does not establish certification or safety requirements.