Yacht glossary · Sun Yachts

Yacht Glossary: 31 Terms You'll See on Yacht Listings

This glossary explains the words you will meet on yacht listings: a flybridge is an extra helm deck above the main deck, LOA is the boat's overall length, and POA means price on application. The 31 terms are grouped by boat type, dimensions and hull, engines, cabin and equipment, and buying and selling; most include examples from boats Sun Yachts currently has for sale (counts follow the current listings).

Example counts follow the current listings; an asking price is not a sale price; POA = price on application.

Boat types

Flybridge飛橋

A flybridge is an extra helm station on a deck above the main deck, usually with a wheel, throttles and seating. It gives a higher view and doubles as an outdoor lounge. For a buyer it adds a whole level of usable space, but layouts vary from boat to boat, so check each deck on the actual boat.

In our listings7 listings carry "Fly" in the model name (e.g. 2009 Ferretti 470 Fly, 2014 Absolute 45 Fly, 2021 Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly). The name is only the model designation; whether a boat has a flybridge, and how it is laid out, should be checked against the listing photos and the boat itself.

CoupeCoupe(轎跑型)

A coupe has its helm enclosed by a fixed hardtop and windscreen, with no flybridge above, which gives the boat a lower profile. Buyers choosing between a coupe and a fly are usually weighing a lower centre of gravity against an extra deck of space. Builders use the word differently, so rely on each model's own description.

Sport / open cruiser運動型/開放式遊艇

Sport or open cruisers favour speed and deck space, with the helm and seating in an open cockpit and a more compact cabin below. The word "Sport" can also be just part of a model name rather than a description of the type, so read each listing carefully before drawing conclusions about the layout.

In our listings4 listings have "Sport" in the name (e.g. 2017 Axopar 37 Sport Cabin, 2010 Carver 360 Sport Sedan); 2 are listed with the type "Open Cruiser" (e.g. 2023 Nautique G25, 2016 Tullio Abbate Elite 27). These counts follow the name and type fields only, not a formal classification.

Navetta

Navetta is the name of a series from the builder Absolute, known for a taller hull and a roomy interior aimed at longer cruising. The word is sometimes used loosely, so pair it with the brand name, and on any listing check the exact model rather than relying on the series name alone.

In our listings4 listings carry the Navetta name (e.g. 2016 Absolute Navetta 52).

Catamaran雙體船

A catamaran has two parallel hulls, which gives it a wide deck and a steady feel. Some are sailing catamarans; others are power catamarans, often called powercats, driven by engines. Because the beam is wide, buyers should confirm early on that their intended berth is wide enough to take one.

In our listings1 listing gives the type as Catamaran (e.g. 2018 Leopard Powercat 43).

Sailboat / motor yacht帆船 / 動力遊艇

A sailboat is driven mainly by its sails and usually carries an auxiliary engine; a motor yacht relies on its engines alone. The two differ in handling, upkeep and the skills needed to run them, so a buyer should settle on the type first and then compare specifications within it.

In our listings2 listings give the type as Sailboat (e.g. 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 40, 2007 Beneteau Oceanis 45).

Superyacht超級遊艇

Superyacht is the industry's word for very large yachts, which are usually run by a professional crew. There is no single official length threshold and sources differ, so this page does not state one. For a buyer, crewing and day-to-day management matter as much as the purchase price itself.

In our listings3 current listings are 100 ft or longer overall (e.g. 2013 Azimut Grande 120 SL, 1984 SUPERCRAFT VAN TRIUMPH).

Dimensions & hull

Length overall (LOA)全長 LOA

Length overall (LOA) is the distance from the foremost to the aftmost point of the boat and is the headline size on any listing. Length at waterline (LWL) measures only the part of the hull touching the water and is usually shorter. Buyers comparing size or looking for a berth normally start with LOA.

In our listingsBy listed length: 25 under 40 ft, 20 from 40 to 50 ft and 20 at 50 ft or more.

Beam船寬

Beam is the width of the hull at its widest point. A wider beam usually means more room inside and on deck, but the berth must also be wide enough to take it. When two boats are a similar length, beam is often the figure that shows the real difference in space between them.

In our listings65 of the 65 current listings state the beam; you will find it in each boat's specification table.

Draft吃水

Draft is the depth from the waterline to the lowest point of the boat, and it decides how shallow a bay or berth the boat can use. Ask whether a figure is loaded or light and whether it includes the drives or propellers. If you plan to use shallow bays or a particular marina, check the draft early.

In our listingsOnly 2 current listings state the draft (e.g. 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48, 2021 Princess Y85); for other boats, ask us on WhatsApp.

Passenger capacity可載人數

Passenger capacity is the maximum number of people shown on a listing, as stated by the builder or the seller's records. The number the boat may actually carry is whatever its certificate says. If you plan to take friends or family out often, read the figure together with the seating and cabin space.

In our listings64 of the 65 current listings state a passenger capacity.

Hull船殼(物料/滑行/排水型)

The hull is the main body of the boat that sits in the water, and fibreglass (GRP) is a common material. A planing hull lifts and skims at speed, while a displacement hull pushes through the water at lower speeds; displacement is the boat's weight. Hull condition is a key item in any survey.

Engines & propulsion

Twin / single engines雙機 / 單機

Twin engines means two main engines, usually one on each side, which helps low-speed handling and leaves a backup if one fails. A single engine is simpler, with fewer items to service. When comparing asking prices, remember that the number of engines also shapes what the boat will cost to maintain later.

In our listingsBy the engine field: 48 twin-engine and 11 single-engine boats (single, e.g. 2019 SELENE 42 STATUS PANEL, 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 40), plus 1 with three engines (e.g. 2013 Azimut Grande 120 SL); 5 more do not state the number of engines.

Horsepower (hp / mhp)馬力 hp / mhp

Horsepower measures engine output. A listing's engine field usually reads "number × model + power per engine", so multiply by the count for the total. The abbreviation mhp means metric horsepower, which is close to but not identical with hp. Compare boats on the same basis before drawing conclusions about performance.

In our listingsFor example, 2018 Fairline Squadron 53 lists "2 x Caterpillar C12.9 shaft drive Diesel 850mhp"; 2013 Azimut Grande 120 SL lists "3 x MTU 16V 2000 Diesel 2600Hp".

Engine hours引擎時數

Engine hours record how long an engine has run in total, a little like a car's mileage. They show how much use it has had, but should always be read with the service records. On twin-engine boats the two engines can differ. If a listing gives only a rounded figure, ask to see the actual reading.

In our listingsAmong current listings, 52 give exact hours, 12 give only a rounded figure (such as "8xx Hrs") and 1 does not list them; ask us on WhatsApp for the actual reading.

Inboard (shaft drive / sterndrive)內置引擎(軸傳動/艉傳動)

An inboard engine sits inside the hull. With shaft drive, a shaft runs from the engine to a propeller under the boat; with a sterndrive, the engine is inside but a steerable drive leg sits outside the transom. Whatever the layout, the drive system is one of the items to inspect closely in a survey.

In our listings1 listing states "Inboard" in the engine field (e.g. 2016 Tullio Abbate Elite 27); 1 states "shaft drive" (e.g. 2018 Fairline Squadron 53).

Outboard舷外機

An outboard is a self-contained engine mounted on the transom, outside the hull. Because the whole unit sits outside, it is relatively easy to remove and service, and it is common on smaller boats. Beyond the engine hours, a buyer should ask for its service history and any record of replacement.

In our listings4 listings state "Outboard" in the engine field (e.g. 2017 Axopar 28 Cabin, 2017 Axopar 37 Sport Cabin, 2022 Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Sport, 2015 Starfisher 830 OBS Cabin).

Volvo Penta IPSIPS 吊艙推進

IPS is Volvo Penta's pod propulsion system, usually paired with joystick control that makes low-speed manoeuvring and berthing easier. Not every boat has it, and it is not automatically better than other drives; a buyer should judge it against how the boat will be used and against its service history.

In our listings5 listings mention IPS in the engine field (e.g. 2016 Absolute Navetta 52, 2015 Prestige 450, 2019 Absolute Navetta 48 (412 hrs)).

Diesel vs petrol engines柴油 / 汽油引擎

Yacht engines are mainly either diesel or petrol (gasoline), and the two differ in fuel, servicing and the kinds of boat they suit. A listing's engine field may or may not say which. If the fuel type matters to you and the listing is silent, ask directly rather than guessing from the model or the brand.

In our listingsBy the wording of the engine field: 29 say Diesel and 3 say Petrol (petrol, e.g. 2017 Axopar 37 Sport Cabin, 2008 Crownline 315 SCR); the other 33 do not say.

Knot / nautical mile / cruising speed節 / 海里 / 巡航速度

A knot is the unit of speed at sea, measured in nautical miles per hour, and the nautical mile is the standard unit for distance at sea. Cruising speed is the pace a boat is normally run at, usually below its top speed. On a sea trial, a buyer can watch how the boat behaves at cruising speed.

Conversion: 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour; 1 nautical mile = 1,852 metres.

Cabin & equipment

Cabin (saloon, galley, head)艙房(主艙/廚房/洗手間)

A cabin is an enclosed sleeping room on board; the saloon is the main living area, the galley is the kitchen and the head is the toilet. Listings count cabins in different ways, so to know how many people can actually stay overnight, check the photos and the boat itself rather than the number alone.

In our listingsCabin field example: 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 lists "2–3"; listings whose description mentions a toilet include 2018 Karnice 2965, 2017 Axopar 37 Sport Cabin.

Berth床位 / 泊位

Berth has two meanings: a sleeping berth on board, and a mooring berth at a marina where the boat is kept. Context tells you which one is meant. Note for buyers: a listing's berth count refers to beds, while a mooring berth is arranged separately.

Stabilizer穩定器

A stabilizer reduces a boat's side-to-side roll; the common kinds are fin stabilizers and gyro stabilizers. For buyers prone to seasickness, or who plan to stay aboard often, it makes a real difference to comfort. Whether a boat has one, and what condition it is in, should be confirmed in a survey.

In our listings2 listings mention a Seakeeper in the description (e.g. 2016 Absolute Navetta 52, 2018 Fairline Squadron 53).

Generator發電機

A generator, or genset, powers the air-conditioning, cooking and other equipment when the boat is not on shore power, which matters for summer overnights or long stays at anchor. Ask for its running hours and service records; whether a boat has one, and its condition, should be confirmed in a survey.

In our listings3 listings mention a generator in the description (e.g. 2022 Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Sport, 2018 Karnice 2965, 2017 Axopar 37 Sport Cabin).

Buying & selling

POA (price on application)POA(價錢請查詢)

POA stands for "price on application": the seller has not published an asking price, so you ask the broker for it. It does not mean the boat is cheap or expensive, and it does not promise room to negotiate. It helps to share your budget range when you ask for the figure.

In our listings3 current listings are price on application (e.g. 2014 RUBY 80, 2021 Princess Y85, 2021 Bavaria Virtess 420 Fly).

Asking price叫價

The asking price is the figure the seller puts on the listing, not the price the boat actually sells for. The final price depends on both parties, the boat's condition and the market. Treat it as a starting point for comparison, not a settled number.

In our listings62 current listings show an asking price. By band: Under HK$1M 10, HK$1M–3M 23, HK$3M–6M 16, Over HK$6M 13.

Broker經紀

A yacht broker markets boats for sellers, introduces buyers and helps with the paperwork of a sale. As a buyer, ask which side the broker represents and where the information about the boat comes from before you rely on it.

Listing船盤

A listing is the sales page for one boat, with its specifications, photos and asking price. The details mainly come from the seller, so check each one against the boat itself, its papers and the survey report rather than deciding on the listing alone.

In our listingsSun Yachts currently has 65 listings, all shown on the yachts for sale page.

Survey驗船

A survey is an inspection of the hull, engines, electrics and other systems by an independent surveyor before purchase, ending in a written report. Buyers use the report to understand the boat's real, current condition before committing to the purchase.

Sea trial試航

A sea trial is a test run at sea before purchase to see how the engines, handling and instruments actually perform. It lets a buyer feel how the boat behaves on the water and spot any gap between the listing and reality.

Transfer of ownership過戶

Transfer of ownership is the change of a boat's registered owner. For a Hong Kong local vessel this is handled with the Marine Department, and its latest guidance applies. Buyers should confirm the arrangements with the broker well before handover.

A term still unclear, or one we should add?

Message us on WhatsApp. When you view a boat at Marina Cove, Sai Kung, we can explain it on the boat itself.

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