Smallest size "luxury" yacht

[Wckoek]

I have heard a saying that luxury yacht only starts at 45 feet or above, because only beyond that size it will offer more amenities.
Does this still holds true for monohull sailboat?


What is the smallest sailboat that you've seen considered a "luxury" yacht?

[tkeithlu]

I wouldn't consider a monohull sailboat "luxury" until the professional crew took the time to bring me a really good gin and tonic while I watched, fascinated by their work.

[redneckrob]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

I wouldn't consider a monohull sailboat "luxury" until the professional crew took the time to bring me a really good gin and tonic while I watched, fascinated by their work.

Your tongue in cheek comment actually has a good deal of truth behind it. On production catamarans at least once you get to a certain size going bigger doesn't seem to get you any bigger or better accomodations or amenities, it just gets you more dedicated crew quarters and crew prep space.

[tkeithlu]

Who said that it was tongue in cheek, redneckrob? I may love sailing and navigating, but it's work, or effort, and not luxury. It's got it's very pleasant moments, such as sunsets at anchor, but luxury sounds like lobster for dinner with someone else doing the cooking and cleanup.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

I wouldn't consider a monohull sailboat "luxury" until the professional crew took the time to bring me a really good gin and tonic while I watched, fascinated by their work.

Back when I worked on private yachts, Feadship (private custom luxury yacht builder) would not take a commission of anything less that 100-feet.

My Owner was unusual at the time, as the boat commissioned was 125'. The next year, Greg Norman (golfer) commissioned a then-inconceivable 270-foot private yacht... and the market has been insane ever since. (Caveat: These were motor vessels.)

The smallest luxury sailing yacht I ever sailed on as paid crew was a custom Little Harbour 55'. I'll never forget; she actually had a tiny bathtub in the master stateroom - at the request of the Admiral...

So from my perspective, I would say 55' or 60' (and like Rob says, any extra space is lost to 'crew quarters' at the bow).

LittleWing77

p.s. As a matter of curiosity, Keith, what constitutes a REALLY GOOD G&T in your books? My particular poison is Bombay Sapphire with Original Fever Tree tonic and *only* fresh lime...

[Pete7]

LW, have you not read the Gin threads

We will see you in a month

We like the local Salcombe Gin for late afternoons, its light and refreshing.

Pete

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Pete7

LW, have you not read the Gin threads

We will see you in a month

We like the local Salcombe Gin for late afternoons, its light and refreshing.

Pete

I KNEW I was being provocative!

And no, I've read the Rum threads, courtesy of marvelling at Vasco and his rum-stash-in-the-bilges, but have yet to peruse what I assume must be the Great Gin Wars...?

LW77

Oh yeah... and I've always thought of Salcombe as a harbour!

[Chotu]

Luxury is very subjective. How many helicopters on deck or subs on board would be considered luxury?

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Luxury is very subjective. How many helicopters on deck or subs on board would be considered luxury?

Chotu! There's nobody like you!

[denverd0n]

What Chotu said. "Luxury" is an entirely subjective term. What one person considers "luxury," another might consider intolerably spartan. Each one of us gets to define for ourselves what we consider "luxury."

Hence, a "luxury yacht" is whatever you want to believe it is. If you think that it is "luxury," then it is. What anyone else thinks is completely irrelevant.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

Oh yeah... and I've always thought of Salcombe as a harbour!

Salcombe is indeed a fine harbour with a treacherous bar in a storm and great yacht club up on the hillside with commanding views over the estuary. Given the number of Chelsea tractors (4x4 SUVs) in town the London townies also like Salcombe and prices reflect what they are willing to pay.

Naturally the local shops sell the local distilled Gin which is how we found it.

Pete

[sailorboy1]

I could maybe survive on a 200’ boat. As long there isn't any gin or gin drinkers

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

I could maybe survive on a 200’ boat. As long there isn't any gin or gin drinkers

Well that’s it putting you on ignore now :-)

[Creedence]

I apply a simple litmus test....

Can you spend a day on it without the need for a shower afterwards?

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

What Chotu said. "Luxury" is an entirely subjective term. What one person considers "luxury," another might consider intolerably spartan. Each one of us gets to define for ourselves what we consider "luxury."

Hence, a "luxury yacht" is whatever you want to believe it is. If you think that it is "luxury," then it is. What anyone else thinks is completely irrelevant.

By definition luxury doesn't come in sizes but in quality of comfort and expence so even a row boat could be luxurious made of best honduras mahogany with gold plated hardware and custom wine cooler..