Journal · Super Yachts
Yacht vs superyacht vs megayacht
What is the difference between a yacht, superyacht, megayacht, and gigayacht?
They are size labels, not boat types — and the boundaries are informal, overlapping, and partly marketing. Length is the rough divider, and crew and cost follow it. The table below gives the commonly used ranges; expect any given yacht to be described by more than one label depending on who is selling it.
| Class | Length (approx) | Typical crew | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht | under ~24 m (79 ft) | 0–few | low millions |
| Superyacht | ~24–60 m (79–200 ft) | 5–15 | ~$10M–100M |
| Megayacht | ~60–100 m (200–300 ft) | 15–50 | ~$100M–400M |
| Gigayacht | ~100 m+ (300 ft+) | 50+ | $400M–600M+ |
Ranges are conventional, not official, and overlap; prices are indicative for new build. Verify against the specific vessel.
At what length does a yacht become a superyacht?
Around 24 metres (79 feet) is the most-cited threshold — the point at which professional crew and commercial codes generally come into play. Some brokers use 30 metres as the practical line. Below that you have a "yacht"; above it, the language, crewing, and cost structure shift into superyacht territory. As with every class here, the boundary is a convention, not a rule.
How much does each class cost to buy and run?
Price rises steeply with length, and running cost tracks roughly 10% of value a year. A 30-metre superyacht might cost $10–30 million to buy and low single-digit millions annually; a megayacht runs $100 million-plus to buy and many millions to run; a gigayacht reaches hundreds of millions and tens of millions a year, with 50-plus crew. We quantify it in the running-cost calculator and the cost guide.
Which size of yacht should you buy?
Match the boat to use, not ego. Cruising range, guest numbers, the harbours you want to enter, and crew you are willing to run should set the length — a larger yacht locks out shallow anchorages and small marinas and multiplies cost. Most owners are best served by the smallest yacht that meets their real itinerary. We size the brief before sourcing, through a yacht mandate.
FAQ
Yacht size classes — quick answers
At what size is a yacht a superyacht?
Conventionally, a yacht is called a superyacht once it passes about 24 metres (79 feet) — the length at which professional crew and commercial codes typically apply. Some in the industry use 30 metres as the practical threshold. There is no official definition, so the figure varies by source, but 24 metres is the most cited starting point.
What is the difference between a superyacht and a megayacht?
Size, informally. Superyacht usually means roughly 24–60 metres; megayacht is the larger tier above, commonly around 60 metres (200 feet) and up. The terms overlap and are marketing as much as measurement — a 70-metre yacht might be called either — but megayacht signals the upper end, with larger crews and far higher running costs.
What is a gigayacht?
A gigayacht is the largest class of private yacht, generally meaning vessels of about 100 metres (around 300 feet) or more. Only a few dozen exist; examples include Azzam at roughly 180 metres. They carry 50-plus crew, cost hundreds of millions to build, and tens of millions a year to run. The term is informal, like the others.
Is a bigger yacht much more expensive to run?
Yes, and not linearly. Running cost roughly tracks 10% of a yacht's value a year, but crew, fuel, dockage, and maintenance all rise steeply with length. A 30-metre superyacht might cost low single-digit millions annually; a 100-metre gigayacht runs to tens of millions, with 50-plus crew. Size is the single biggest cost driver in yachting.
What makes a boat a yacht?
There is no legal definition, but a yacht is a private pleasure vessel — usually 10 metres or more, professionally finished, and used for leisure rather than work or transport. Above about 24 metres it is generally called a superyacht. Below that, the line between a large boat and a yacht is a matter of size, build quality, and convention.
Sources & further reading: industry usage (BoatInternational, YachtWorld, MegayachtNews); size classes are conventional, not official. See also how much a yacht costs, catamaran vs monohull, and the most expensive yachts.
Super Yachts
From 24 metres to gigayacht — we size it right.
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