What Makes Superyachts Super?

The short answer: So many things!

By definition, any pleasure vessel over 24 metres in length overall (LOA) can be called a superyacht. That excludes fishing trawlers and tugboats, of course. But does a 24-metre day-trip catamaran count? Not quite. And that fully kitted-out 20-metre Hallberg-Rassy? Also no.

If we look at numbers only, a yacht bigger in size than 24 metres is called a superyacht. However, superyachts are “super” in more ways than just size. A 30-metre sailing yacht isn’t simply a scaled-up 10-metre sloop. Its construction is fundamentally different: the materials, the engineering, the way the hull and deck are assembled. Its volume is exponentially larger—more than three times that of a 10-metre yacht—and it might have multiple levels.

Supersized Sailing

Luxury is another hallmark. Think of a motor yacht with tinted-glass sliding doors operated by the touch of a button, interiors clad in marble, and air-conditioned lounges. Add jacuzzis, multiple bars, leather-upholstered, custom-made couches for afternoon reading or tea—this is high-end living afloat. And while a 30-metre yacht isn’t simply three times the price of a 10-metre one, it could cost 30 times more, depending on the owner’s choices.
Read more about Sailing Superyachts here: The Ten Largest

Super Engines

With all this comes power. The engines needed to power a 40-metre motor yacht to cruising speeds of 20–30 knots are a world apart from the compact Volvo Penta or Yanmar marine engines that fit neatly under a 10-metre sailing yacht’s companionway steps. A small yacht might carry 150 litres of fuel; a superyacht’s tanks can hold up to 150,000 litres. On a 40-metre Sanlorenzo, the engine room alone can be larger than the entire interior of a 10-metre yacht, tended by a team of engineers. Where a Volvo Penta might produce 30–300 horsepower, a single superyacht engine delivers over 2,000—and there are usually at least two of them. Ones I’ve seen were made by MAN and Caterpillar.

The M/Y Seawolf, with a 10 metre sailboat, large tender and dedicated crane. Notice the the two sailing dinghies with colorful sails.
The Seawolf is a tugboat conversion.

Some superyachts come with helipads, 10-metre swimming pools, or full spa suites. One famous yacht, M/Y Tatoosh, carries a 10-metre sailing boat and a 10-metre motorboat attached to either side—I saw it in Málaga, Spain. I’ve also seen one with a tennis court (complete with netting to keep the balls out of the sea) in Monaco. The largest such vessel I’ve seen was a 141-metre Dutch Navy frigate, converted into a leisure superyacht and docked in Mallorca for maintenance before resuming its adventures.

Purpose?

Explorer and scientific vessels like OceanX take things further, with chemical labs, diving stations, decompression chambers, submarines, and state-of-the-art electronics. Tenders, jetskis, and helicopters often come as standard, allowing for excursions where the yacht’s draft prevents it from getting too close to shore.

Read more about Britannia – a prioneering trend setter.

One of the most iconic superyachts, the Royal Yacht Britannia, cruised over one million sea miles during its years of service. It featured a surgery ward, a post office, a pub, and several salons. Surprisingly, the Royal suites were humble compared to the lavish designer interiors we see today. As I learned during a tour onboard, the Royals welcomed guests from all walks of life—the focus was less on luxury and more on diplomacy, mutual respect, and building international relationships.