Photo credit to: @ferrettigroup

What are the best types of yachts for a perfect vacation?

October 30, 2023

9 minute read

SuperYachts Croatia has a catalogue of over 135 different vessels, and for first-time charter guests, it can get a little confusing as to which kind of naval vessel they would want for their first yachting holiday. So, to make the choices of all future guests easier, we are bringing the main types of charter vessels available for booking with SuperYachts Croatia.

Not all yachts are the same. Besides the year of build and the parent shipyard, types of yachts can be distinguished by many elements. We have written about some of these, like what you can expect from dining, depending on the type of yacht you are on or the feature of guest accommodations on certain yachts.

Different yachts have different amenities, differences in design and decor, as well as different concepts – some yachts are made for family holidays and some yachts are envisioned as an adult-only sanctuary. For instance, Novela is described by her many guests as a perfect vessel for kids and parents, whilst Quantum is a sports yacht fit for a fast-paced, no-nonsense lifestyle.

This time, we are bringing you a much more general classification of yachts, which can accommodate an entirely different holiday setup, but also pretends to how the yacht behaves underway and at anchor

Motor yachts

Motor yachts are the most common category in the superyacht community, purely for the sake of convenience. They are the easiest to handle and have the biggest potential, when it comes to customizing luxury experiences for the guests.

tatiana yacht charter aerial view
Tatiana is the prime example of what can be achieved when a team of professionals designs and builds a motor yacht

Motor yachts cruise with the help of powerful diesel engines, although more recent motor yachts have started using environmentally sustainable alternatives to pure diesel engines. All motor yachts are powered by a motor in the interior of the vessel, regardless of what fuel is used.

Besides the engine room, motor yachts have the highest potential, when it comes to spatial design and architecture because very little space is wasted. This is why motor yachts are at the forefront of luxury yachting, and why they are the most cherished category for more experienced charter guests.

The main negative side of a motor yacht is her impact on the environment, but this is being rapidly minimalised with the introduction of the sustainability doctrine into the yachting community.

eternal spark yacht charter aerial view
The result of SuperYachts Croatia`s facilitation of a Bilgin-led project, Eternal Spak is a yacht that is set to revolutionize the charter market

So, if you are looking to luxuriate and experience a truly lavish lifestyle, book a motor yacht with SuperYachts Croatia, because the most lavish and expensively decorated superyachts are primarily motor yachts.

Sailing yachts

The main purpose of a sailing yacht is the ability to sail. Motor yachts are all well and good, but for guests who want to feel closer to nature on their sailing vacation, there is no better way than to sail with the blessing of a warm summer wind in the paradise that is the Croatian Adriatic Sea.

The very first time that the sails catch the wind and all onboard a sailing yacht feel the power of the wind, is an experience that is hard to describe with words. Harder yet is to describe the experience of keeling, which is when the yacht shifts her centre of gravity on one side, tilting to the side that is closest to the wind.

Sailing yacht in a Croatian bay
Sailing yachts capture the romantic imagination of charter guests in search of “something different”

This sensation is the main reason why most sailing enthusiasts pick sailing yachts over motor yachts. Besides that, there are very few differences between motor yachts and sailing yachts, in terms of design, furnishings or amenities.

Both types of vessels are given an equal approach when it comes to luxury and comfort for the guests; the cabins are equally lavish on sailing yachts, as they are on motor yachts, with Michelin-level dining and numerous features of comfort being present on sailing yachts, as well as on motor yachts. Of course, sailing yachts are also equipped with motors, for when the weather conditions are not favourable for sailing.

But, there is also a major difference, when it comes to the usage of deck space. Since sailing yachts have sails, and all the accompanying equipment, it is impossible to perfectly utilise exterior deck space.

lady gita yacht charter side view
Underway, sailing yachts offer an impressive and historic profile, reminding onlookers of the times when sailing was done exclusively by wind power

This also usually means that sailing yachts have a lower profile than motor yachts, which can allow a loss of hydro dynamicity due to a lack of sails. All in all, sailing yachts offer a totally different sailing experience from motor yachts, sacrificing deck space for sailing utility.

Finally, it is wise to bear in mind the difference between a sailing yacht and a goolet. A sailing yacht abides by much stricter luxury standards, providing a wide range of high-class amenities, dining and accommodation. A goolet, on the other hand, is made out of wood most of the times, and is a slower and more affordable vessel in general.

Catamarans

Catamarans are unique in the sense that, where the motor yacht, the sailing yacht and the mini charter cruiser are monohulls, the catamarans have twin hulls. This gives them a lot of stability on the water, which significantly decreases rolling. Also, their twin-hull architecture also gives them some unique features and abilities, not seen on other types of yachts.

The first and the most cinematic amenity that catamarans have are the „trampolines“ on the main deck bow space, which uses the gap between the two hulls to field netting (or added deck space for more modern catamarans) that greatly enhances the potential of alfresco experiences.

7x catamaran yacht charter rear view
7X is a perfect example of how a compact catamaran makes use of its innovative engineering to provide a spacious alfresco experience

Sunbathing, parties, lounging, family time and more – all this can take place near or on the trampolines, which only shows the potential of catamarans as versatile vessels.

There is also the case of the swimming platform – just as the trampolines on the bow, so does the swimming platform cover the space between two hulls, making it unusually wide. This can then be translated into multiple experiences near the water; the hydraulic swimming platform can lower itself into the water or slightly above it, creating a bespoke beach club at the push of a button.

And catamarans do not have to be restricted by only one source of power: they can use sails, engines, or both, depending on the model of the specific vessel and the preferences of the charter guests.

quaranta yacht charter front view
Full Front View – Catamaran Yacht Quaranta Front Deck

The feature that makes catamarans wanted vessels on a charter vacation is that smaller catamarans still retain the width of much bigger monohulls, which makes them an excellent economic choice.

Mini charter cruisers

The name says it all mini-cruisers or mini charter cruisers are vessels designed as cruise ships, but much smaller. Usually, mini charter cruisers found in the Croatian Adriatic sea span between 40 and 60 meters in length, which is enough to accommodate anywhere between 20 and 40+ guests. The number of guests greatly depends on the level of luxury future clients are expecting. More guest cabins always mean fewer amenities, but this also means an extremely reasonable price.

Mini charter Cruiser Ohana - different types of yachts
Mini charter cruisers are particularly popular in the Croatian Adriatic sea because of their island-hopping potential and shallow draught, which helps them to reach otherwise inaccessible locations

This is the main reason mini charter cruisers are so popular – their cost/experience ratio greatly surpasses anything else on the market. This is because guests can experience the same level of luxury as on a motor yacht but for a fraction of the price.

Also, mini charter cruisers are the most economically viable charter holiday because the total sum of the bill is split between a bigger number of people

agape rose yacht charter cover photo
Agape Rose, a classical mini charter cruiser, displays all the hallmarks of this kind of yacht

But, this has a drawback, in that your holiday stops being as intimate or private, as it would be on a motor yacht with fewer guests. Besides the obvious factors, mini charter cruisers are also great for stationary parties in the marina. With spacious communal areas, they can take in at least 60+ people.

Choose between different types of yachts with SuperYachts Croatia

SuperYachts Croatia`s catalogue is full of different yachts, that all have their distinctive features.

Not all yachts are identical. Beyond their construction year and the shipyard where they were built, yachts can be distinguished by various factors.  Different yachts offer varying amenities, diverse designs and decor, and cater to different concepts. Some yachts are designed for family getaways, while others are intended as exclusive retreats for adults.

So, for your next yacht charter holiday in Croatia, book your preferred vessel with SuperYachts Croatia and enjoy the beauty of the Croatian Adriatic Sea.