There is no one-size-fits-all type of boat, so the length of the yacht must be considered carefully.

A yacht is a significant purchase, and one of the most common questions we receive is along the lines of “what is the best yacht size?”, or, “what size would be right for me?”. The first question in straightforward – there is no best size for a boat. The second question is more nuanced, so let’s take a look at the many factors that will affect the size of the boat that may be best for you.

It always starts with a budget.

We’re just keeping it real here – budget is the greatest determining factor behind every boat purchase. Once you decide on budget, then you check out some boats around this price range. Boats that are larger are usually more expensive. For example, a Leopard Catamarans 53 PC is priced around USD1,900,000, while a smaller Leopard Catamarans 43 PC at about USD1,200,000.

It makes sense because the size of the yacht determines how much materials go into the making.

This budget will also determine if you are able to go for luxurious brands, or slightly less luxurious ones. A beautiful 40-feet Riva Rivamare is priced around USD1 million today, but for the same price, shoppers can have the impressive 53-feet Prestige 520S.

We would also like to say that the purchase price of the boat is not the final cost either. The final budget should include necessities like GPS, marine computers, life jackets, and more, so plan accordingly.

Who is coming with you?

Sometimes, determining how many people you want to have on board is easy – immediate family members, close friends, the like. The yacht should have safe and comfortable seating for all passengers and enough room for life jackets for every person on board. There is also a difference between day passengers and overnight guests. For example, the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 1095 can host 10 day guests. The yacht can come in 2 or 3 cabins, and usually only 2 guests are house in one cabin.

The length of the boat is a good indicator of how many people it can host, but certain yachts are also wider than others, and therefore can seat more passengers. Often we use lengths to express the scale of the yacht, but width is an also important factor to consider.

Where are you going?

Weather conditions in the place where you boat should determine the size of your vessel. Larger yachts are naturally suited to heavier seas, while boating close to home port means you can have a smaller vessel and allocate the budget to other niceties. Additionally, boaters who want to venture further a-sea should look for a larger vessel as these have more fuel capacity and room for essentials like water and food.

What are you doing?

Generally, sport fishing necessitates a boat that is longer than 30 feet, to handle heavier weather and rougher seas. Not only is it more comfortable to have a longer boat out there, it is safer too as heavy waves can hammer a smaller boat and capsize the vessel.

Those who prefer fishing closer to shore or around river deltas should have a smaller boat, as the vessel needs to go through shallower water and be nimble enough to navigate around obstacles. For such a hobby, we recommend boats of around 20 feet that also usually comes with an outboard engine that can be lifted out of the water for greater clearance.

For boaters who enjoy getting wet and playing water sports, a smaller vessel of around 15 to 25 feet is recommended as these smaller yachts excel at direction changes and quick acceleration.

Finally, the recommended size for the most common boating hobby – coastal cruising – is a wide range, anywhere from 20 to 40 feet. The normal restriction of space and boarding apply here to smaller boats, but larger ones may sometimes be too much boat to handle, especially around busier seas.

Are you heading out for long?

Larger boats have more fuel capacity and storage for necessities, so these vessels can stay out longer and go further. However, it is a waste to get a boat that is capable of a whole weekend out at sea if you never plan to do so. Conversely, a smaller vessel would need to return to port often when supplies run out, and that will limit how far you can go.

Where is your home port?

All ports everywhere around the world will have size restrictions. For example, Pen Marine’s headquarters in Straits Quay, Penang, can accommodate boats from 10 – 25 metres, (32 – 82 feet). What’s more, these spaces are in high demand and you should always check if the local marina has a space for your new vessel before getting the boat. After all, you’d want something so precious close to you, wouldn’t you?

Let’s end here

While there is no ‘best boat size’, there is certainly a best size for your needs, and as your needs evolve, so too will the size of your boat. Our consultants can certainly give you more in-depth information, so get in touch with us should you need further help on getting the right boat for yourself.