Yacht

A yacht is a vessel used exclusively for pleasure on the sea. The word is derived from the Dutch jacht. A typical sailing yacht (mono-hull) is about thirty feet long with a heavy keel underneath to counterbalance the forces exerted by the wind on the sail and rigging.

For many years yachting was exclusively the province of the ultra-rich, and this is partly true now, but today, many people enjoy sailing for pleasure.

There are motor yachts as well as sailing yachts. Smaller sailing yachts are termed dinghies.

King Charles II of England is mentioned as enjoying the sport in the diaries of Samuel Pepys.

Popular yachting spots:

• Newport, Rhode Island.
• Cowes, Isle of Wight.
• Fremantle, Western Australia.
• Hamble, Hampshire, England.
• Tollesbury, Essex, England.
• The West Coast of Scotland.

See also: sailing ship, yacht racing, yachting, marina,dinghy sailing, catamaran