What is air draft and why can it matter?

Answer

Air draft is the height of a vessel above the waterline to its highest fixed point.

It can become important when a yacht needs to pass beneath bridges, power lines or other overhead structures.

For many open-sea charters it is not a major consideration, but it can be critical in destinations with bridges or restricted waterways.

Analysis

Air draft illustrates how a seemingly technical specification can become important for a particular itinerary.

A yacht that is perfectly suited to open coastal cruising may have limitations on a route involving low bridges.

Broker’s advice

If your itinerary involves rivers, canals or bridge crossings, tell us early. We’ll check the yacht’s air draft as part of the route assessment.