What is yacht draft and why does it matter?

Answer

Draft is the depth of the yacht below the waterline. It is an important specification because it can affect the minimum water depth required for safe operation and therefore the places a yacht can access.

A yacht with a deeper draft may have more limitations in very shallow areas, while a shallower-draft yacht may have greater access to certain bays and anchorages.

The captain will consider draft alongside actual depth, tides, seabed conditions and other operational factors.

Analysis

Draft is particularly relevant when comparing yachts for destinations with shallow anchorages, narrow waterways or intricate coastal cruising.

It is another example of why the largest yacht is not automatically the most suitable yacht for every itinerary.

Broker’s advice

When clients want to explore shallow bays, we pay close attention to draft. It’s one of those technical specifications that can have a surprisingly large effect on the actual holiday.