largest sail on a sailboat

These are the Top 10 Largest Sailing Yachts in the World

By Vlad Craciun

Updated on December 3, 2021

In the world of the rich and famous, large, expensive, luxury and yacht are common words which often come together to form what’s probably one of the biggest dreams rich people have: to spend much of their leisure time away at sea on a luxurious superyacht.

Modern or classic looking, with white sails, sleek lines and superb interiors, the yachting world has plenty of options to offer. For some though, a yacht is not really a yacht if it’s not one built for sailing, raising its sails into the winds and thrusting towards the infinite blue horizon.

Now, we’ve done some digging into the sailing realm and came up with the top 10 largest sailing yachts in the world right now:

• 10. Atlantic (69.2 meters)

Now long gone, the original 69.24 meter long Atlantic was designed by William Gardner and built back in 1903 by Townsend & Downey in Shooter Island, New York.

The actual one is only a replica of the original, build by following the drawings of the first shooner, found in various archives across the United States. One of them, the MIT Museum in Massachusetts, had digitized them with the help of Doug Peterson, a consulting naval architect who has guaranteed the authenticity of the lines and flotation.

• 9. Badis (70 meters)

Once known as Sybaris, the 70 meter long Badis is one of the largest yachts build by the Italian naval company Perini Navi in the latest years. The yacht was finished in 2016, with Phillipe Briand as a consultant for the naval architecture, PH Design shaping the stunning wood veneer interior, and the exterior designed by Perini Navi.

Badis has room for a total of 12 guests, offering a master suite and five double rooms, complete with en-suite bathrooms and entertainment centers.

• 8. Enigma (75 meters)

Enigma is a 75 meter long single handed race yacht, designed specifically for participating in the Observer Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race. It was previously called Phocea and managed to cross the Atlantic in 1976, after which it was converted to a cruise ship by the French shipyard DCAN.

Over two decades later, it had a major interior and exterior overhaul at the Lürssen shipyard in Germany and was sold in 2010 to its present owners. Enigma now has a master suite, a VIP room, two double and two twin cabins and room for 12 guests and 23 crew members.

• 7. M5 (77.5 meters)

M5 is a 77.5 meter yacht designed by Ron Holland Design and built by Vosper Thornycroft in the United Kingdom. The vessel underwent some exterior and interior modifications. The stern section was redesigned and extended by 3 meters.

The yacht got a side boarding platform as well and the interior was also refitted to change the looks and style of the main and lower decks. The main deck is going to look completely different once all the joinery will be replaced.

• 6. Aquijo (86 meters)

Aquijo is an 86 meter long Dutch sailing yacht designed by Bill Trip’ and constructed by Vitters and Oceanco. It was launched in 2015 and at once became the largest ketch-rigged sailing yacht in the world, with its mainmast rising to 88.4 meters above the sea level.

• 5. Maltese Falcon (88 meters)

The Maltese Falcon with its 88 meters is one of the most recognized and appreciated yachts of all time. The reason for that is its revolutionary DynaRig, an automated square rigged sail plan, with three carbon fiber rotating masts rising high into the sky, and holding the 15 square sails which amount to no less than 25,800 sq ft of canvas.

The system delivers outstanding performances, with hard to match speed and maneuverability. Constructed by Perini Navi, the Maltese Falcon was purchased in August 2009 by the current owner and is often seen competing in superyacht regattas.

• 4. Athena (90 meters)

Athena is a 90 meter long super sailing yacht constructed by the Dutch Royal Huisman shipyard back in 2004. The exterior design was conceived by Pieter Beeldsnijder Design, the naval architecture by Dykstra & Partners and the interior was envisioned by Rebecca Bradley Interior Design.

The performances of this super yacht, a match to its name, Athena, make it one of the fastest sailing superyachts, reaching a top speed of 19 knots. Its length makes it also one of the largest sailing yachts launched after the 1930’s.

• 3. EOS (93 meters)

EOS is a 1500 GRT three masted schooner with a length of 93 meters, placing it on the third place in our list of the 10 largest sailing yachts in the world right now. It was launched in 2006 by Lürssen, but there’s not much to know about it ever since due to its owners big love for privacy, making it one of the most private vessels on the seas.

• 2. Black Pearl (106 meters)

The Black Pearl is considered by many to be the largest sailing yacht in the world so far. It’s a 106 meter long vessel made to cross any ocean by harnessing the power of wind alone. It was built by the Oceanco shipyard in the Netherlands and got to meet its owner in 2018.

The Black Pearl features a modern and complex energy generation system and a top notch DynaRig setup made by Dykstra Naval Architects, making it one of the most advanced yachts of its kind. The overall design was made by its owner in close collaboration with a distinguished design team.

• 1. Sailing Yacht A (142.8 meters)

Number one on our list is the impressive Sailing Yacht A, a controversial vessel in this category due to its combination of sail power and motor yachting, many people disregarding it when it comes to talking about pure sailing yachts. The official category it comes into is sail-assisted motor yacht, making the best of the two worlds.

In our opinion though, its 142.8 meters length and its grand 100 meter high carbon fiber masts make it fit enough for the first place as the largest sailing yacht in the world. Sailing Yacht A was constructed by Nobiskrug and delivered to its owner in 2017.

About Vlad Craciun

Vlad has over 7 years of experience writing content about subjects such as travel, cars, motorcycles, tech & gadgets, and his newly discovered passion, watches. He’s in love with two wheeled machines and the freedom and the thrills that motorcycle travel provides. Learn more about Luxatic's Editorial Process .

Leave a Comment

More from luxatic.

Best Luxury Pens: 10 Brands That Make The Best Writing Instruments

By Brian Pho

The 20 Most Valuable Coins for Collectors Worldwide

By Noah Miller

The Most Expensive Things in the World in 2024

By Valentina Ioana

The 25 Most Beautiful Ecolodges & Eco Hotels In The World

By Adrian Prisca

The Top 10 Richest People in the Fashion Industry in 2023

By Victor Baker

The 25 Best Dressed Men in the World in 2023

By Georgiana Grama

The 10 Longest Range Private Jets in the World in 2023

The 10 Best Espresso Machines for Your Home

By Alex Holmes

The 50 Best Luxury Watch Brands in 2023

25 Best Resorts in the Dominican Republic

By Martha Young

These are the 25 Best Sneaker Brands

The 30 Most Beautiful Infinity Pools in the World

The Best Yacht Concepts From Around The World

The Stunning Ritz Carlton EVRIMA Yacht

Gliding Across Tokyo’s Sumida River: The Mesmerizing Zipper Boat

CROCUS Yacht: An 48 Meter Beauty by Admiral

• Zuretti Interior Design
• Zuretti Interior
• Zuccon International Project
• Ziyad al Manaseer
• Zaniz Interiors. Kutayba Alghanim
• Yuriy Kosiuk
• Yuri Milner
• Yersin Yacht

Top 10 Biggest Sailing Yachts In The World

The top 10 largest sailing yachts in the world have a combined length of 944.5 meters.

These include the Sea Cloud, which is almost a century old, and the much anticipated Oceanco’s 127m Project Y721 set to launch in 2022.

Read on for our list of the world’s top 10 largest and biggest yachts.

1. Sailing Yacht A | 142.8m

Sailing Yacht A tops this list, measuring in at 142.8m. At 12,558GT, it is also the heaviest sailing yacht on our list, measuring 5 times more than the second-largest sailing yacht.

Sailing Yacht A, built by  Nobiskrug  in 2017, blends impressive sailing and motor yacht designs into a highly innovative vessel.

The boat features three 100m freestanding masts higher than London’s Big Ben, making her an eye-catching vessel. 

2. Sea Cloud | 109.5m

Sea Cloud has sailed the high seas since 1931. The 2532 GT vessel was built for Edward F Hutton and heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post by German shipbuilder Friedrich Krupp.

The 109.5m sailing yacht has interchanged ownership several times and was rebuilt in 1978 by new German owners. The vessel is available for charter to provide guests with a luxury sailing experience. 

3. Black Pearl | 106.7m

Black Pearl was designed to cross oceans with just the power of the sail. The vessel is 106m in length and is striking with her black sails, weighing in at 2,864 GT.

She was delivered in 2018 and built by  Oceanco . The vessel features an advanced solar system. She also has a high-tech DynaRig setup by Dykstra Naval Architects .

4. EOS | 92.92m

EOS was built for American media and movie mogul Barry Diller under a shroud of secrecy. The three-masted Bermuda rigged schooner was launched by  Lürssen  Yachts in Germany in 2006 and refitted at Dutch Royal Huisman Shipyard in 2011.

Since her launch, she has remained one of the most private vessels in the world. EOS weighs in at 1500 GT.

5. Athena | 90m

Athena was delivered in 2004 by Royal Huisman Shipyard. The 1103 GT vessel is unique, with its advanced engineering and spacious interior that is uniquely sized for a sailing yacht.

She features naval architecture by Dykstra Naval Architects and Pieter Beeldsnijder Design. The 90m Athena was built for US software developer Jim Clark.

6. Maltese Falcon | 88m

The Maltese Falcon is one of the most photographed yachts of all time. The 88m yacht has an advanced automated square-rigged DynaRig and three rotating carbon fiber masts.

The 15 square sails hold 25,800 feet of canvas, giving her unprecedented performance, speed, and maneuverability. The yacht was built by renowned sailing yacht builder  Perini Navi . 

7. Aquijo | 86m

 Aquijo is an 86m sailing yacht built by Vitters Shipyard and Oceanco and launched in 2016. She is the largest ketch-rigged sailing yacht in the world, with her main mast reaching 88.4m into the air.

She displaces 1538 GT. Her exterior design and naval architecture were designed by Tripp Design Naval Architects . 

8. Sea Eagle II | 81m

Sea Eagle II was delivered in 2020 from Royal Huisman. The impressive sailing yacht is the shipyard’s largest by volume, displacing 1150 GT.

The three-masted schooner has a carbon Panamax rigging by Rondal and was built in collaboration with designer Mark Whiteley and Dykstra Naval Architects. She is also the world’s largest aluminum sailing yacht.

9. M5 | 77.6m

M5 was launched as Mirabella V in 2004 and delivered to American yachtsman Joe Vittoria. M5 is still the largest sloop in the world to this day.

The impressive yacht was built by Vesper Thorneycroft in England and has undergone several refits. In 2013, she was refitted by Pendennis and extended by 3.2m. She was refitted again in 2019.

10. Badis I | 70m

Badis I was built by Perini Navi and delivered under the name Sybaris in 2016. Philipe Briand consulted with the famous shipbuilder on naval architecture.

PH Design contributed her wooden veneer interior, accommodating 12 guests. Badis I is one of the largest yachts Perini Navi has delivered from their Italian shipyard.

Do you have anything to add to this listing?

Love yachts join us., related posts.

Bananas On Boat Trips Are Bad Luck – 6 Reasons Why

The Engines that Power Superyachts

13 Awesome Superyacht Marina Destinations

Renaming A Boat – Is It Bad Luck?

10 largest sailing ships in the world

The world's largest sailing ships have captivated mankind for centuries, being symbols of elegance, adventure and freedom on the high seas. As engineering and technology have advanced, sailing ships have grown in size and magnificence, reaching new dimensions in the world of sailing. In this list we present the great sailing ships that sail the planet today.

Sailing Yacht A

This impressive sailing yacht has a length of 142.81 meters. As such, it holds the title of the largest sailing yacht in the world. This one was built in Germany in 2015 and features an innovative and luxurious design. It has three masts in which the tallest mast reaches 100 meters.

It is a sailing yacht, and the sails unfurl from the masts at the push of a button.

It is worth between 400 and 500 million euros.

Jeff Bezos' 500 million superyacht is 127 meters long. It has three masts that reach up to 70 meters in height, making it the largest sailing vessel in the world.

It is one of the newest, having been delivered to the CEO of Amazon earlier this year.

It has a capacity of 18 guests and 40 crew members.

Sea Cloud Spirit

Its 125.7 meters in length and 17.20 meters in beam make it the second largest sailing yacht on the planet. Sea Cloud was designed by Cox & Stevens and built many years ago in Kiel, Germany. The sails (over 4,000 square meters) can be seen on any of her three masts, the tallest of which is 60m high. The yacht was rebuilt in 1978 by new German owners.

On board there is room for more than fifty passengers, in addition to the 85 crew members.

The ship is owned by a German luxury cruising company that owns the 1931 Sea Cloud and the 1999 Sea Cloud II.

Black Pearl

With a length of 106.7 meters, the Black Pearl is one of the largest sailing yachts in the world and technologically is among the most advanced in the world. It was built in 2016 and stands out for its elegant design and hybrid propulsion system. Regarding the masts, like the other two sailboats it has three.

These masts are self-rotating to adjust the sails that reach 75 meters in height, with 2,877 square meters of sail area.

As a curiosity, it is said that this sailboat can cross the Atlantic with only 20 liters of fuel, a sailing milestone. Another differential feature would be the material of the sails, the fabric is made of dracon and flexible solar panels have been added to generate energy on board to feed the electrical system.

This sailing yacht, which until 2017 was the second largest in the world, is 93 meters lon g. It was launched in 2006 and is characterized by its elegant design and extensive on-board amenities. The Eos, like all these large sailing yachts, has three masts in addition to an engine that allows it to sail at a maximum speed of 16 knots.

This 90-meter-long sailing yacht is known for its impressive three-masted rig (the largest mast reaches about 60m in height) and its classic styling. It was built in 2004 and acquired for a price of around 100 million euros. IT offers a high level of comfort and luxury and its beautiful design has won several awards , such as best sailing yacht (over 40 meters) in 2004 and best sailing yacht interiors in 2005.

Maltese Falcon

With a length of 88 meters, the Maltese Falcon is famous for its innovative system of rotating masts , which house fifteen sails for a total sail area of 2,400 square meters. It was launched in 2006 and is one of the world's largest, most recognizable and distinctive sailing yachts in existence. This sailing yacht was subsequently acquired for an approximate amount in excess of 85 million euros.

This 85.9 meter long, 14.50 beam sailing yacht combines elegance and luxury with high performance. It was built in 2016 and stands out for its modern design and spacious entertainment areas. With capacity for 12 guests and 17 crew , this is a sailboat that you can currently rent with an approximate price of five hundred thousand euros per week.

At 70 meters in length, the Sybaris is one of the great luxury sailing yachts that combines elegant design with exceptional performance. It was launched in 2016 and boasts a wide variety of high-end features and amenities.

A year later, in 2017, it was awarded as the best sailboat of the year at the World Superyacht Awards.

It has a 72m carbon Rondal main deck and a 62m mine setting a total of 3,000 square meters of sail.

This 67.2-meter sailing yacht stands out for its contemporary design and focus on sustainability. It was built in 2011 by New Zealand shipyard Alloy Yachts in a record 29 months. Unlike many luxury sailing yachts on this list, Vertigo has two masts, but can sail faster than many in its class , specifically 20 knots. It has a luxurious interior and offers an exceptional sailing experience.

In conclusion, the 10 largest sailing ships in the world represent a perfect combination of engineering, beauty and maritime prowess . These impressive vessels have taken sailing to a new level, defying expectations and leaving an indelible mark on maritime history.

WE AND OUR PARTNERS USE COOKIES ON THIS SITE TO IMPROVE OUR SERVICE, PERFORM ANALYTICS, PERSONALIZE ADVERTISING, MEASURE ADVERTISING PERFORMANCE, AND REMEMBER WEBSITE PREFERENCES. BY USING THE SITE, YOU CONSENT TO THESE COOKIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COOKIES INCLUDING HOW TO MANAGE YOUR CONSENT VISIT OUR COOKIE POLICY .

TwistedSifter

The best of the visual web, sifted, sorted and summarized.

• ARCHITECTURE
• NATURE/SPACE
• SHIRK REPORT
• INFORMATIVE

The World’s Largest Full-Rigged Sailing Ship (21 Photos)

by twistedsifter

At 439 feet in length, the five-masted, 42-sail Royal Clipper is the largest full-rigged sailing ship in the world.

With 19,000 square feet of open deck and accommodations for up to 227 guests, the Royal Clipper is a sight to behold.

Inspired by the legendary tall ship Preussen , Royal Clipper has the proud distinction of being the largest and only five-masted full-rigged sailing ship built, since her predecessor was launched at the beginning of the 20th century.

Technical Data

  Tonnage: 5,000 Length: 439 feet Beam: 54 feet Draft: 18.5 feet Sail Area: 56,000 Square feet Mast Height: 197 feet Total Staff: 106 Passenger Capacity: 227 Masts: 5 Masts, 42 Sails

Royal Clipper Interiors

Royal Clipper Cabins

Royal Clipper Dining

For more information visit the Star Clippers official website

Categories: BEST OF , DESIGN , TRAVEL Tags: · boats , cruise ship , largest , sailing , top , world record

Sign up to get our BEST stories of the week straight to your inbox.

• PRIVACY POLICY
• Write For Us
• AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Never Forget That Your Old Or Deleted Embarrassing Social Media Posts Are Always There To Dig Up

Neighbor Gave Him Grief About Branches From A Tree Coming Into Her Yard, So He Cut The Whole Tree Down And Ruined Her Shade

Neighborhood Association Demanded A Family Pay Fees To Gain Access To A Lake, But They Told Them To Pound Sand

Parents Wouldn’t Let Their Daughter And Boyfriend Sleep In The Same Room, So They Decided To Leave Early In Protest

Crazy Security Guard Demanded They Drop Their Purchases, So They Complied And Created A Huge Mess He Had To Clean Up

Customer Keeps Paying With $100 Bills For Candy Bars So They’ll Give Him Change, So Clerk Makes Sure To Repay Him In A Lot Of Nickels

Her In-Laws Always Covered The Birthday Person’s Meal, But When It Was Their Turn They Just Pay For Their Own Meal

He Let His Daughter And Her Spouse Live In His House For Free. When He Decided To Sell It They Made Him Regret His Generosity.

Parents Charge Daughter $200 Rent After High School Graduation Because She Isn’t Going To College. – ‘That’s pretty cheap to live.’

Better Sailing

Largest Sailboats in the World

Nowadays, the production of enormous and luxurious sailboats and yachts is more and more increased and never ceases to impress. International shipyards build these vessels, from the Netherlands to the United Arab Emirates, the US, Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom, among others. And, new launches and refits are distributed each year, at the request of owners on an international level. In this article, I will list the world’s largest sailboats and yachts in case you want to get informed on that topic or charter one with your crew for cruising around the world. However, this list is updated every year but some of these vessels are timeless. Follow me!

Black Pearl by Oceanco – 350 ft

Black Pearl is the world’s biggest sailing yacht, standing at 350 feet and costing more than $200 million. Long before her first voyage, the ship drew international attention for its innovative architecture. Also, for her eco-credentials, and technical advances, all of which have set a new industry and earned her multiple awards for innovation.

Keep in mind that this vessel isn’t manufactured only by one designer but forms a result of an ambitious cross-industry collaboration. Some of the best international sailing professionals and creative minds have cooperated to manufacture this incredible vessel. And, it isn’t just her aesthetics that makes her distinguish, but also her utilization of the very latest green technology. According to Oceanco, they have made her capable of crossing the Atlantic without using any fuel. But how?

Firstly, her three powerful 230ft DynaRig carbon masts are a design of Dykstra Naval Architects. This innovative structure subdivides her sails into smaller sections. And, the best thing is that sails are set or furled just by touching a button. On top of that, and to maximize effectiveness the Black Pearl doesn’t rely on propulsion from fossil fuels. Meaning that with a single person that is able to set 2,900 sq meters of sail area in just a few minutes, she offers the possibility to turn off the main engines and harness the power of the wind. As a result, the costs are significantly minimized and it is also much better for the environment. So, under sail, the boat can reach an incredible 30 knots and regenerate enough energy to power the whole load. And, also without the need of running the generators. 

We don’t know a lot about her interior, but we know that she has six cabins with accommodation for up to 12 guests. These include a master suite and two VIP cabins. She also has immense recreational spaces spread across her three decks, but because of her secretive nature, there’s not too much information disclosed. Some photographs show that there is a pool aft of the main deck and a hot tub aft of the upper deck. Moreover, there’s a fold-down platform at the aft of the boat that is probably transformed into a full-beam beach club. And, imagine that we aren’t fully aware of what her commodities and interior spaces offer. A true masterpiece!

EOS by Lurssen – 305 ft

At 305ft, the three-masted schooner EOS is the world’s second-largest boat. The first launch was in 2006 by Lürssen Yachts, and the vessel is one of the world’s most exclusive yachts. The Eos is a Bermuda rigged three-masted schooner and one of the world’s largest private sailing yachts. EOS, a superyacht of significant proportions has impressed many since it was first launched. In 2006, Lurssen Yachts completed this 305-foot luxury yacht.

The superyacht EOS is a luxurious vessel that can accommodate up to 16 guests in 8 cabins and can be handled by a crew of approximately 15 professionals. Lurssen was the naval architect who brought this yacht design to life. The interior decoration of this boat was also done by Bill Langton and Francois Catroux. EOS, one of the world’s largest private sailing yacht, uses twin MTU diesel engines and can reach a top limit continuous speed of about 16 knots. The ship’s engine produces 2332 horsepower. Her total horsepower is 4663, and her total wattage is 3480.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

Athena by Royal Huisman – 295 ft

The Dutch Royal Huisman Shipyard designed the 295-foot super sailing yacht, Athena, in 2004. Pieter Beeldsnijder Design created the superyacht’s exterior lines, while Dykstra Naval Architects and Pieter Beeldsnijder Design collaborated on the naval architecture, and Rebecca Bradley Interior Design created the interior. Athena is one of the largest sailing yachts since the 1930s, and she can outrun any other sailing superyachts with speeds of up to 19 knots.

The Royal Huisman Shipyard in Holland designed Athena for US software developer Jim Clark. Because of Athena’s advanced engineering, she can sail in light winds while still providing the interior space usually reserved for motor yachts. Athena has been credited with reaching 19 knots under sail in stronger winds. A large owner’s suite, four guest quarters, a saloon and dining room on the main deck, and a sky lounge on the upper deck are some of the areas among the yacht’s three decks.

Maltese Falcon by Perini Navi – 289 ft

The pioneering 289 ft Maltese Falcon is popular for her automated square-rigged DynaRig sail plan. This makes her one of the most famous yachts of all time and definitely one of the most photographed in recent years. Three free-standing rotating carbon-fiber masts carry a total of 25,800 square feet of canvas on 15 square sails, resulting in exceptional performance, speed, and maneuverability. The yacht was sold in August 2009 to her current owner, who regularly participates in superyacht regattas, demonstrating the yacht’s capabilities. It was constructed by Perini Navi and designed in partnership with her first owner, Tom Perkins.

Elena Ambrosiadou currently owns the Maltese Falcon, but the American venture capitalist Tom Perkins was the first to own her. The three-masted schooner is the world’s fifth-largest sailing yacht. The rig of the Maltese Falcon consists of three unstayed, “weapons-grade” carbon fiber masts, as well as a completely computerized sail and rotating mast system. The whole boat benefits from exceptional design, development, and engineering. She is also capable of reaching speeds of up to 24 knots while sailing. The interior design by Ken Freivokh is a mix of modern chic and hi-tech development. The construction design uses leather, glass, wood, and steel, and it houses a modern art collection. Lastly, the yacht can accommodate 12 people and is available for charter.

Aquijo by Vitters Shipyard and Oceanco – 282 ft

Vitters and Oceanco collaborated on the widely awaited Aquijo. Both Dutch yards collaborated closely with the owner’s representative to design a highly complex and of ultimate performance sailing vessel that, when launched, was the world’s third-largest sailing superyacht. Aquijo is a ketch-rigged aluminum yacht with a custom steering mechanism. Her interior layout provides clear sightlines because of her exceptional superstructure. This Dutch sailing yacht firstly came up in 2015 and was the largest ketch-rigged sailing yacht in the world. Her mainmast rises 280ft above sea level. Her naval architecture and exterior design are a creation of Tripp Design Naval Architects.

Sea Eagle II by Royal Huisman – 266 ft

With hundreds of projects completed to date, Royal Huisman has an enviable track record of delivering exceptional sailing superyachts. Even by these criteria, the most recent vessel to leave the shipyard is more than we expected. She is one of the top ten largest sailing yachts and the world’s largest aluminum yacht. Sea Eagle II is a spectacular 266-foot with three masts and a Panamax schooner. Her design is a creation of the Dykstra and Mark Whiteley Design team that built the stunning 186 ft Royal Huisman ketch Aquarius just over a year ago.

The sheer size of this yacht is mind-boggling. The 13-foot freeboard has sleek hull lines, and the two-tier deckhouse, which includes a half-raised bridge, is remarkably in proportion. The main deck-level accommodation has a large expanse of glass, with just a few mullions interrupting the 360o view. Furthermore, there’s immense cockpit space, with enough room left over in the aft deck.

Mark Whiteley was in charge of the interior design as well as the exterior styling. He designed the interior in a plain, modern style with straight lines. Soft color leather handrails and upholstered wall panels enhance the lacquered Alpi walnut panels, polished natural oak floors, and dark stained wenge trims. As for the rigging, each mast has in-boom furling, and the two aft have staysails for use when reaching. Lastly, the tank and wind tunnel tests help to verify various headsail options, particularly the differences between a large blade jib and a large staysail or yankee.

M5 by Vosper Thornycroft – 254 ft

This superyacht is a creation of Ron Holland Design and construction of Vosper Thornycroft in the United Kingdom. The yacht received a refit in 2014 at Pendennis Shipyard. As a result, they redesigned and extended the stern portion of the vessel by three meters, among other changes. Her keel, however, was slightly unbalanced because of the refit. Another big refit, completed in 2020 at the NCA shipyard, aimed to rebalance the keel by halving it and pushing the ram housing 300 mm forward. They used a three-tone of grey livery with a metallic palladium hull, anthracite silver superstructure, and crystal silver mast and boom for the repainting procedure. And, all these, in addition to her technical improvements.

M5 is the legendary yacht Mirabella V; a creation made in Southampton, England. To this day, she is the world’s largest sloop. M5 was built for Joe Vittoria, an American yachtsman who sailed her for seven years. Her new owner renamed her M5, and when she was refitted at Pendennis she was extended by 3.2 meters until her relaunch in 2014. She also has a new RWD-designed interior. Let’s note that M5 has a 780-tonne displacement, i.e. 165 tonnes of which is the keel. Lastly, the carbon fiber mast stands at an incredible 88.3 meters tall and has a sail area of approximately 3,700 square meters.

Enigma (Phocea) by DCAN – 246 ft

Enigma (formerly Phocea) was a sailing yacht designed by DCAN in 1976 in Toulon, France. She’s 246 feet long, with a top speed of 12 knots. Also, she was refitted, like many yachts, and the most recent one was in Germany in 2000. She can accommodate 12 guests and has a crew of 16 sailors. In addition, Enigma is a four-masted schooner. She was primarily built for speed performance, and she crossed the Atlantic in 8 days. During this voyage, she achieved speeds of 30 knots under sail.

Mouna Ayoub bought Phocea in July 1997 and made her some refits in Lürssen. As a result, the British naval architect Dalrymple-Smith has significantly improved the interior as well as her exterior design. Her interiors feature modern wood paneling and furniture. The main suite is on the main deck, while the VIP guest cabin and 4 other double cabins are on the lower deck. Just before Royal Huisman launched Athena in 2004, the Phocea was the world’s largest sailing yacht. Unfortunately, in 2021, the Enigma was partly destroyed by fire and therefore sunk the next day.

Badis I by Perini Navi – 229 ft

Badis, the second-largest Perini Navi sailing yacht to date, was launched in 2016 for Bill Duker, a multi-superyacht owner. The name comes from an ancient Greek city in Italy known for its hedonism and rich feasts. She is the second-largest boat built by the yard since the Maltese Falcon. So, Badis I, or Sybaris, was made for the American businessman Bill Duker in 2016. She went for sale in April 2017 for €88 million and sold in October 2018.

Perini Navi’s team as well as the French designer Philippe Briand were in charge of the naval architecture on this vessel. The yacht was constructed of alloy with a variable draught keel so as to allow access to shallow areas while maintaining good sailing performance. It’s important to note that Badis I’ sails stretch over a surface of 2,300 sq m and they can be handled with consoles in the cockpit. Lastly, under power, Badis diesel engines generate a total of 3,860hp. This results in a top speed of 17.5 knots and a maximum cruising range of 5,000 nautical miles at 12.5 knots.

Vertigo by Alloy Yachts – 220 ft

And, let’s get to the top 10; the 220 ft Vertigo. A creation of Alloy Yachts in New Zealand (2011), with more than one million hours spent for her construction. The all-aluminum sailing yacht has an iconic sporty exterior from Philippe Brand of France, as well as naval architecture from Alloy Yachts. Her distinctive ketch-rig, streamline hull, and 3,330 sq m of sails all add to her overall performance capabilities. However, keep in mind that she wasn’t built as a racing yacht. Her interior design is a creation of Liaigre and, like all other boats in this list, offers the commodity of enormous interior areas. Lastly, Vertigo is able to sleep up to 12 guests and host a crew of 11.

The Bottom Line

So, this is it! This is the list of the biggest yachts in the world. I know that many of us might not even get aboard a boat of this size but we can still dream about it. On the other hand, there are people that can’t stand this kind of luxury for their sailing voyage. In any case, these vessels are mostly destined for wealthy people that can afford this kind of budget. Keep in mind that you can always charter a boat of these dimensions in order to live the luxurious way of sailing for a while. I hope that you enjoyed this article and wish you all safe and happy voyages!

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

Related Posts

Lagoon Catamaran Review: Are Lagoon Catamarans Good?

Best Inboard Boat Engine Brands

Are O’Day Sailboats Good? A Closer Look at a Classic Brand

Best Non Skid Boat Deck Paints

• Buyer's Guide
• Destinations
• Maintenance
• Sailing Info

Hit enter to search or ESC to close.

BoatNews.com

What are the 5 largest sailing ships in the world?

Discover the 5 largest privately owned sailing boats in the world. If Sailing Yacht A is rather considered as a sail-assisted motoyacht, we have nevertheless decided to add it to our ranking.

1. The Sailing Yacht A - 142.81 m (469 feet)

Sailing Yacht A is the largest sailing yacht in the world, designed by French designer Philippe Stark (who also created the motoryacht A) for Russian billionaire Andrei Melnitchenko. Its ultramodern design breaks with the codes in force in the world of superyachts, especially sailing. This "sailboat" is distinguished by its very voluminous and high hull, which gives it more of a motoryacht look. Without its three carbon masts, it would be difficult to identify it as a sailboat .

With an interior volume of 12,600 gross tons and an area of 8 decks, the main features of the A are its underwater observation room, its hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and its state-of-the-art navigation systems. Other features include bomb-proof glass and 40 security cameras.

Its construction took place in the greatest secrecy, but the site is estimated at 30 million euros.

2. Black Pearl - 106.7m (350 feet)

This masterly 106.7 m long sailboat is immediately recognizable by its three DynaRig masts which support a sail area of 2,900 m2. Built for 5 years at the Dutch shipyard Oceanco, she was inspired by the Maltese Falcon (number 4 in our ranking).

The boat should be capable of making a transatlantic crossing using only 20 litres of diesel oil, thanks to a propeller system that recharges the batteries on board. In addition to this incredible autonomy, she is capable of sailing at an average speed of 20 knots.

3. Sea Cloud - 96.35 m (316 feet)

Sea Cloud is a four-masted steel-hulled barque, built in 1931 in the shipyards of Krupp Germania Werft in Kiel, Germany for the American stockbroker and billionaire Edward Francis Hutton. When she was built, she was called Hussar II and was the largest and most luxurious four-masted sailing ship of the time. Including the bowsprit , she is 109.5 m long

In 75 years of sailing, it will take no less than nine names ( Sea Cloud in 1935, IX-99 during World War II, Patria in 1961 or again Sea Cloud since 1978, after its restoration ). And he had as many activities: private ship, diplomatic ship, weather station ship, submarine hunter ship, warship, tanker ship, training ship.

Today, after a complete restoration in 1978 to restore her to her former luxury, she belongs to the Sea Cloud cruise line. A maximum of 64 passengers (in 32 cabins) can embark on this luxury ship for a cruise.

4. Maltese Falcon - 88 m (289)

The "Maltese Falcon" (in French) is an 88-metre long, three-masted luxury sailing yacht built at the Turkish shipyard Perini Istanbul in 2006 for the multi-millionaire American businessman, Tom Perkins. Since then, she has been owned by Elena Ambrosiadou, CEO of the financial company Ikos. It is named after the John Huston film The Maltese Falcon released in 1941.

Its three carbon fibre masts are 60 m high and support 2400 m2 of sail area. Its rigging system - DynaRig - is composed of a self-supporting and rotating mast on which the yards are fixed perpendicularly and integrally, having a 12% curvature, unlike conventional rigging, to ensure the best efficiency. The sails stowed inside the masts unfurl automatically and the rotating masts are oriented according to the wind to be able to sail at any speed . It also has two Deutz engines of 1,800 HP each.

The Maltese Falcon is estimated to be worth $100 million.

5. Aquijo - 85.9 m (282')

The S.Y Aquijo is an 85.9 m long sailboat built by the Oceanco and Vitters shipyards in 2015, with a mast height of 91 m. Intended for charter, it accommodates up to 12 people on board in 7 cabins, including a master suite and three VIP cabins. This ketch can accommodate up to 17 crew members and offers a wide range of onboard entertainment: air conditioning, wi-fi, terraces, deck jacuzzi, gym...

What’s the Largest Boat One Person Can Operate?

So you're looking for something big, but want to go at it alone. Sailing single-handed (also known as short-handed) is perfectly doable, although not always ideal. As every 28-year old, I want something over 30 feet - but is it actually practical?

So what’s the largest boat one person can operate? Most experienced sailors seem to stay under 35 feet - anything over 50 feet is uncommon. But there really is no upper limit. It depends on skill, experience, and courage. Generally, if you're a reasonably skilled sailor, you'll be capable of sailing these boats alone:

• Without systems: under 28 ft or 8 m
• With systems: under 46 ft or 14 m
• Typically, experienced sailors stay under 35 ft
• Anything over 50 ft or 15m is uncommon

If the manufacturer bothered to include a crew cabin, it's probably a good idea to have a crew.

Length is not really the issue with short-handed cruising. There is no limit, except for your experience and ability. The real questions are: what do you feel comfortable with; and what's the amount of sailcloth you can safely handle?

Another factor is stability - bigger boats tend to be more stable, and can be operated from the cockpit entirely (with the lines running aft and having remote controls). Besides docking, there really isn't an issue, and larger boats might be more easy to handle on your own than smaller boats having the wrong configuration.

On this page:

How many hands do you need, why do you want to go big, how much sail can you handle, the downside of sailing a large boat alone, preparing for passages, 3 incredible sailboats you can sail solo, related questions.

Apart from the question of whether it's technically possible to sail a boat solo, let's also check whether it's comfortable. Because you're probably not buying a boat to prove anything to anyone (or are you?), but to have a great experience. The following boat lengths are comfortable to sail ...

• single-handed: under 35 feet
• double-handed: 35 - 50 feet
• crew: 50 feet and up

So why is it more comfortable to sail anything over 35 feet double-handed?

Sailing is the easy part - everything else gets more difficult with added length. The biggest limiting factor is how you're planning to dock. Get this right and you've lost your biggest bottleneck. Some marinas offer assisted docking to facilitate single-handed sailing, which can be of great help.

How much does it cost to own a sailboat? Read our complete sailboat ownership cost guide for a complete overview of all the ownership costs and the purchase cost of a new & used sailboat.

Docking aside, it helps to have someone to handle the lines while you helm the boat.

Another important factor is troubleshooting any (technical) problems when you're on your own. There should be enough people on board to address any problems that come up. If you're not comfortable with possibly having to deal with change in weather, emergency reefing, technical issues, and so on, you should probably consider getting your significant other, or a friend along.

Check what the specific boat is built for. Purpose-built solo racers can be very large (120 ft) and are easy to maneuver single-handed (which isn't to say they're all of a sudden easy to dock - anything big just isn't).

If it isn't about length ...

... then what's it about? I think more important then length is:

• boat layout
• systems and remote control availability - check out the full list of systems below
• home berth conditions - if these are good (upwind, assisted docking, protected water) docking will be way easier

Think in displacement instead of length

Another way to go at it is by thinking in displacement instead of length. The amount of crew you need for the amount of displacement:

• 12 - 30 tonnes: one experienced boat hand or two inexperienced ones
• 30 tonnes and up: an experienced crew

Also, consider why you'd want to go big. I would encourage you to really think this through. It's perfectly possible to sail anything over 50 feet solo, but there's a point at which I start to wonder why. This is around the 42' mark. It simply becomes more uncomfortable quickly. So if you don't have any good reason to get a bigger boat besides ego, don't do it - you will probably come to regret it.

On the other end, if you do have a solid reason for needing more length, then please, go for it. Consult yourself to get to the bottom of it. Some legit reasons, I believe, are:

• You're planning to live on the boat
• You're doing multi-day trips and need a place to sleep
• You really like to polish endless amounts of hull surface

One sailor can typically manage about 300 - 400 sq ft. of sail. Anything up to and it becomes unmanageable quickly, especially if the weather turns. Following this rule, you can increase your hull length a bit if you choose a boat with more and smaller sails. So you can sail a somewhat larger yawl or ketch.

Things that become difficult on your own:

You can do lots on your own, especially if you have some automation systems in place. But there are some jobs you just can't do without a helping hand.

• getting in and out of the slip
• docking - catching dock lines
• standing watch / sleeping

Systems you probably want to consider:

If you're going to sail something over 35' alone you should definitely consider the following systems:

• autopilot for steering
• lines running aft (running to cockpit)
• electric windlass
• roller furling
• hydraulic bow/stern thrusters with remote

Skills you want to develop and get right:

• Docking: dock, dock again, dock some more. Practice until you can effortlessly maneuver in tight spaces while allowing yourself the time to walk up and down the entire hull length
• Get the steering configuration right
• Get the right cockpit layout

A great example of how to successfully sail solo:

Don't underestimate the power of the wind and tide. The forces you need to deal with are extreme. The longer the boat, the larger the grasp of the wind on your sails becomes. Longer boats are heavier as well, which is why they gain more momentum once they're set in motion. Stopping a 50-footer is difficult - not being able to do so very risky. A larger hull means the tide can get a better hold of you.

Single-handed sailing means that you're solely responsible to manage all of these forces. Also, if something breaks, you're on your own. It can get quite stressful at times. If you don't mind this kind of challenge, and you're in good physical shape, there's no reason to stop dreaming at a certain hull length. Just be aware of what you're signing up for.

Another thing to consider is that larger boats take longer to prepare to make way. You can get a small 26-footer up and running in half an hour, but a 46-footer can just as easily take you up to a week. The time you'll need to spend on maintenance will also increase exponentially.

We all know that anything that takes that too much effort will happen less often. If you want to get out there a lot, get something that's quick to set up.

With any passage, I believe it's best to have at least one other capable sailor on board. This way you have your backup, just in case anything happens; and you greatly reduce any possible (serious) risks.

If you need to go solo because you don't have any (sailing) friends or companions, I highly encourage you to find another (solo) boat and stay within the vicinity and stay in touch throughout. Having some form of backup is in my mind important with these kinds of prolonged trips.

• Phocea - 246 ft or 75 m
• Trimaran Spindrift 2 (Banque Populaire V) - 130 ft or 40 m
• Macif - 100 ft or 30 m

What’s the largest yacht for couples?

With the two of you, the sky is the limit. If you're planning on both learning all sailing skills, that is. With two fully capable sailors on board, there isn't any reason to limit yourself, other than what you're capable of handling based on your experience.

However, if one of you is doing all the work, I would regard it as having one sailor and one pair of helping hands on board. I'd stay in the 35 - 50 ft range at most.

What size boat requires a captain's license?

In the US there isn't a required license based on length, though it's smart to get your license. It allows you to take along paying passengers, which is a great way to earn some extra money and get the extra hands you need on board.

The captain's license consists of a comprehensive exam, helping you to understand coastal navigation, deck knowledge, and rules and regulations. It's a good way to increase your theoretical knowledge, increasing safety on every vessel you set foot on.

A license will cost you between $500 - $800 and lasts for five years. Think you can earn it back by taking some folk along for the weekend?

Also, if you own a large boat (say 50 ft and up) your insurance company may require you to get a license or hire a licensed captain.

How much does it cost to hire a boat captain?

On average, a boat captain cost about $1,000 per year per foot. If you're just hiring for the week, the price is more in the $300 - $400 ballpark. On average, a week trip will cost you:

Fernando Affonso

Hi, congratulations for your post. It was very clarifying. Rgds

Shawn, Your post and information was extremely helpful Thanks very much! Regards, Casey Milton Ontario Canada

Yes, you can sail 75 meter long Phocea single handed. Sailing it is the easy part. But can you enter (moor or dock her) or leave harbour with her single handed? That is the question.

Sonal joshi

Dear sir we are staying far drom sea and in life once saw sea but me and my husband wanr to sail in sea please gyide us how to start and which boat is suitabke fir us for sailing and living in budget , we are from India

thanks 🙏 great info!💪

Excellent. Well thought out and clear, with good examples. Thank you!

I tried to read this article. But stopped after 100 words cause stuff kept popping up.

Shawn great job explaining BUT ads kill the reading popping up and change screen from top to bottom and bc versa. I am out Ben

Tamika Ligar

Hello improvesailing.com admin, Your posts are always well-balanced and objective.

Leave a comment

You may also like, how long does it take to sail around the world.

My big dream is to one day sail the world seas with my wife. But I was unsure how long it actually takes. So I got into it and wrote this article.

The Difference Between Freshwater and Saltwater Boats

How Long Does it Take to Sail Across the Atlantic? (With Maps)

How Far Can You Sail In One Day?

What Size Sailboat Can One Person Handle?

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Getting the right size of boat for your sailing adventures will significantly impact your sense of security and safety, comfort, and your activities aboard the boat, especially if you're planning to embark on solo sailing. It's, therefore, of great importance to get it right from the start as it will save you time, disposal expenses, and determine whether or not you can sail solo.

Whether you're an introverted loner who loves going it alone or love the unique challenges that solo sailing presents, one of the most important questions that you've probably been asking yourself is; how big a sailboat can one person handle? In most cases, solo sailing will mean that you assume all the roles: bow-person, skipper, engineer, navigator, dial trimmer, and chef. Under such a scenario, the main intention is to make these roles as simple as possible for you and this calls for the right sized sailboat.

So how big a sailboat can one person handle? Well, a sailboat measuring between 35 and 45 feet (10.5 - 14 meters) with a draft of about 2 meters, plenty of sail area, easy reefing, and well-working assistive equipment can be ideal for one person to handle. The boat shouldn't be over 9 tons as things can get a little tricky and out of hand if the boat exceeds this weight. In essence, the boat should have automated systems that work properly including a properly working electric windlass that makes hauling an anchor as simple as possible.

In this article, we'll look at some of the reasons why sailboat measuring between 35 and 45 feet can be perfectly handled by one person.

Table of contents

Why 35 to 45 Feet?

Generally speaking, vessels that measure between 35 and 45 feet normally steer well and have a good sea-keeping ability. They usually have assisting self-steering arrangements, tolerable sailing speed, and good storage capabilities. Better still, such sailboats can be designed in such a way that a single person may perform all the sailing tasks completely unassisted.

Below the decks, these sailboats generally offer comfortable seagoing sleeping berths for one person, as well as additional space for the occasional guest. That's not all; the galleys are usually very workable and safe even for continuous use. The navigation station is independent, comfortable, and large enough so that you can lay the charts out flat and permanently. You also have additional storage that is perfect for additional charts.

One of the most overlooked factors when considering the ideal boat that can be perfectly handled by one person is the storage capability. If you're planning to sail single-handedly to far-flung areas, the boat should have a hoard of equipment. The boat should have fuel storage, a dinghy, oars, secondary chains, life jackets, anchor rods, EPIRBS, storm equipment, engine spares, additional batters, and many more. There should also be enough storage to accommodate food and water provisions for at least two months. With that in mind, 35-45 feet long sailboat should have enough storage space to accommodate everything that you need to sail perfectly, safely, and single-handedly.

Other Factors to Consider

While your physical strength, fitness, experience, determination, and nautical skills can impact the size of a sailboat that you can single-handedly handle with confidence, these are just a few definitive factors. As such, the size of the boat's sails will play a critical role. It doesn't matter how fit or strong you are, it's almost impossible to perfectly handle sails that measure 300-400 square feet on your own, and these are more common on vessels measuring 50-60 feet.

This is exactly why you shouldn't go for a sailboat that exceeds 46 feet if you're planning to sail single-handedly. You should refrain from going for a larger sailboat as it can be far trickier to dock in a crowded marina if you're sailing single-handedly. If anything, a boat measuring 35-45 feet will allow you to see around. It's also maneuverable, especially when anchoring and docking. You should also keep in mind that boats measuring 35-45 feet are generally designed with engine props, keels, and electric bow thrusters that can make a huge difference in the handling and maneuverability of such boats.

Here are a few factors to consider when looking at the size of a sailboat that you can handle on your own.

The anchor - Any sailor will tell you that it's always advisable to go out there on the water with an anchor that's large and strong enough to hold the sailboat safely in case there's a storm. But because you want a sailboat that you can handle on your own, you should ask yourself; can you raise the boat's anchor back to the deck with the help of a winch or another person? This should help you determine the size of a sailboat that you can handle alone.

Configuration of the Sailboat  - This pretty much revolves around the maneuverability of the boat. Simply put, the sailboat should be designed in a way that you can single-handedly maneuver it to a dock even when strong winds are blowing. You should also be able to get a line from the sailboat to the dock without losing control of the boat.

You should also make sure that you can reef, lower, smother, and work with the sails in all kinds of weather without any assistance.

Hardware - Another important factor to consider when looking for the right size of a sailboat that you can handle alone is the hardware. Many equipment manufacturers now offer affordable hardware that can be used by lone sailors at the highest levels. For example, there are canting keels and roller furling headsails that are generally used in short-handed racing and these technologies have filtered into the mainstream.

There are also robust and reliable sailing handling systems such as electric winches, top-down spinnaker furlers, code zeros that can be of great help if you want to sail single-handedly, especially for offshore adventures. You can also go for reliable autopilots that are interfaced with wind instruments to enhance your safety and navigation. You can also use releasable inner forestay designed with hanks to make your headsail reef a lot easier. The boat should have enough reefs and the seat should have a comfortable cushion to make long hours of sailing more enjoyable.

Safety and communication  - Sailing single-handedly always requires that you take your safety into serious consideration. You do not have a crew that will help you when there's a mishap so there's always an increased risk. For this reason, your safety and communication should be paramount if you're looking for a sailboat that you can handle alone. Some of the most important things to have in place include stout webbing straps that run from bow to stern and should be clipped into the tether on your harness. These are some of the safety devices that you should use even when the weather is very calm. You should also have an appropriate life jacket and wear it at all times.

That's not all; you should have a perfect sail and communication plan that you can share with a trusted contact on land. Of course, this should include your sailing route and projected timeline. You should have satellite phones and Wi-Fi onboard the boat, as well as other reliable communication devices. You should also have an extra battery. More importantly, you should attend safety as sea courses as this will enhance your skills of staying safe in case there's a mishap when sailing single-handedly.

Going Smaller than 35-45 Feet

As we noted earlier, a sailboat measuring between 35 and 45 feet is the sailing sweet spot if you want to sail single-handedly. This is because such sailboats do offer almost everything that you need to sail without any assistance. However, you may decide to go smaller but this would mean that the storage capabilities go against you.

In most cases, a sailboat measuring about 25 feet long would mean that you lose about 4 tons of storage space as well as the overall weight. This would mean that the boat is much lighter and this might affect your speed. Remember, the longer the boat, the faster the speed and this is essential for seagoing passages. On the other hand, a shorter boat will be slower and this means that you'll have to carry more food and water if you're going for offshore adventures.

As such, the volume of accommodation required may overwhelm a smaller vessel and this can make the operation of such a boat quite challenging. Other areas such as the navigation and galley table may be cramped and this can compromise the way you operate the boat. Worst still, the possibility of having a friend or a loved one join you aboard the boat is nearly impossible since there may be not enough accommodation for the two of you.

Another notable disadvantage of going smaller is the violent motion that it endures when sailing. This can be stressful and very likely to cause seasickness and this is something that you don't want when sailing single-handedly.

Going Larger than 35-45 Feet

If you're not on a limited budget, then you may choose to go for a sailboat that is larger than 35-45 feet. Larger sailboats are more speed and will always deliver sea-kind motion. You also have ample storage and accommodation for friends and family. But even with these advantages, the fundamental weakness of a larger sailboat is that it's almost impossible for one person to perfectly handle it. In other words, it's impossible to perfectly handle, maintain, and manage all facets of sailing a larger vessel. In fact, it can be even challenging or two people to handle it.

In essence, handling a larger vessel single-handedly can be brutal, to say the least. You may have lots of equipment but you'll still require more manpower to have them working appropriately.

To this end, it's easy to see why sailboats measuring 35-45 feet are the best for solo sailing . Smaller vessels might be ideal for the weekends but they are slower and do not have enough storage and accommodation space for offshore sailing. Almost similarly larger vessels (46 feet and above) are faster, beautiful, and spacious, but handling them on your own is almost impossible. So if you're looking for a sailboat that you can perfectly handle on your own, go for a vessel measuring between 35 and 45 feet long.

Related Articles

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

by this author

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Similar Posts

How To Choose The Right Sailing Instructor

August 16, 2023

Cost To Sail Around The World

May 16, 2023

Small Sailboat Sizes: A Complete Guide

October 30, 2022

Popular Posts

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

December 28, 2023

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Top Rated Posts

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. (866) 342-SAIL

© 2024 Life of Sailing Email: [email protected] Address: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244 Disclaimer Privacy Policy

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• All Topics Sailing
• Cruising Under Sail
• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Largest boat 2 people can hande?

• Add to quote

Realistically what is the largest sail boat two people can handle in most weather conditions. I figure I have about 10 years before I have to stop. Thinking of saleing the condo and dock space and buying a larger sail boat and doing the pacific. Will hire a young couple to help the first year while learning the likes and dislikes of the boat. It will also give me time to deside what I can't live with and need to change. Have not done much real bad weather sailing using my Chris-Craf ketch.  

That is sort of a loaded question. Two people of what skill level? Of what age? What is their mobility (regardless of age)? My wife and I handle our boat well, its 47 ft, and while I've taken it out solo (well I had crew but they didn't know how to sail but helped me dock) I've been doing it for a long time.  

Yeas, whats your age, Warren? And while Im asking rude questions, wifes age, flexibitly, fitness etc? The modern 60 footers are pretty easy for a couple to run for couples in their 60s. 50 footers are even easier. they give great living space, wonderful deck space. A 45 foot catamaran would be huge, and easy for 2 to sail. My next boat, given some cash (or a stock market that actually goes up 😰) would be a 42 or 45 foot catamaran. The best currently for me at Leopards due to their innovative front door an extra living area on top of the hard top next to the helm. Its really a money thing more than a size thing. So, to realllllly be rude: US$1 million then go a great, new, fully optioned 45 foot catamaran or 50 foot sloop Less than US$1m get what you can afford. Over $2 million youre getting into silly money. A floating jacuzzi with crew to rub in the sunscreen.. Mark  

It's all in the person(s). I know delivery skippers who single hand up to 65'. I know couples who shouldn't be allowed on a Catalina 22.  

37 feet  

My sense is that in benign conditions sailing a large sailboat with motorized winches etc. and a good AP is not much of a problem. maneuvering in close quarters... docking in and out a slip may be a challenge with a large boat. You need to determine how large a boat you need. Note that the interior plans of sloops to the low 40s are all the same. My decades of experience is with the Contest36s which has a large interior, lots of storage and a very large cockpit... plus a rather flush deck. I can recommend this boat for coastal and offshore, single handed, sailed by two or with up to 6 for passages. The only reason for me to have a larger boat would be a longer waterline and faster passages. Aside from that this 36s is more than enough boat. And more boat is more maintenance... usually more expensive parts, sails and so on.  

Hello, Just some comments from me. These are all IMO. I think you're going about this the wrong way. Who cares how big a boat 2 people can handle? How big a boat do you (and your +1) WANT? Personally I can't imagine two people NEEDING anything over 50' but some need more than others'. For me PERSONALLY, if I can't manage the sails (bending on, removing, carrying on / off the boat) then the boat is too big. I can carry the main, genoa, and big code 0 on my 40' Jeanneau. I was not able to carry the heavy #1 on the J44 I sailed on. I could probably manage most 42' boats, so I would guess that is my limit.. Some background on me; 58 years old, been sailing for about 20 years. I believe I am fit, strong, coordinated and athletic. I supposed I may change my mind regarding sail management in 10 years. My Jeanneau has powered winches for the main halyard and main sheets. I also have a bow thruster, and a sail drive with little to no prop walk and good performance in reverse. So I can get into and out slips or docks in most weather conditions. Personally, without the bow thruster it would be a LOT harder to dock the boat. I know a number of people who have good sized boats (36-42') who won't leave the slip if there is 15 kts of wind on the beam. It makes getting back into the slip too difficult. Lastly - you asked about 2 people handling the boat. Does that mean only 2 people aboard, or could there be 6 people aboard, but only two who can sail? For just two people you don't need THAT large a boat. If you plan on having 6 people aboard for an extended time then I understand why you might want a 50' boat. Good luck. Barry  

When I began sailing we had a rule of thumb; a single person expecting to take crew or a couple shouldn't buy a boat bigger than one could sail comfortably alone. In those days that was a boat around 40 feet long. These days, with all the roller furling sails available, that can be greatly increased to at least 55'. I sailed our 53' Pearson for a year alone, until I met my wife to be. I have captained boats that were in the 80 to 85 foot range with one crew (experienced), most often my lady, with no stress at all. Not counting the financial aspect of size, I think it greatly depends on the skill of the sailors and their ability to handle things should something disable a key bit of gear on the boat. Count on having to sail to anchor numerous times in the West Indies, and to a dock several times, if you are sailing quite a bit.  

Looking at 65 good health right now. No wife, just a female friend who got me into sailing. Money should not be a problem as condo and deeded dock are free and clear. I like my Chris-Craf ketch but thought that a larger boat would be easier on the body. The first year would have a couple that knows really how to sail so I can learn. Right now I am pressing 210 lb 3 days a week in the gym.  

You don't need strength to sail. You need smarts. You don't have to lug heavy sails around... use a cart (and halyard). You want to learn how to (single) hand(le) your boat. If you need crew... you are a prisoner to the crew. You don't need a slip. Get a mooring and use a dink or a launch svs. Learn to anchor. Use all chain and an electric windlass w/ foot switches. Absolutely mission critical is a good autopilot that you can "steer with". Comfort is very important. Additional people on board are useful for watch keeping.  

I have lived on boats from 58'-75'-103'-and now a Nordhavn N80. The N80 is a major crossing boat with a 4000 range but it is also a great live abord with upper and lower saloons, main floor master and an elevator which is a God send in high seas (10'-15' ft). We handle the boat easily with 2 people, If we go for 5 days non-stop (Like Ocean Reef to Nantucket) we will talk a third crew to help with overnight watches Scott Burke M/Y JessConn  

What BarryL said. Instead of asking "what is the largest boat we can handle?" you should be asking "what is the smallest boat that will serve all of our needs?"  

As others have suggested, the question probably should be "What is the smallest boat that suits our needs?" The question is "what is the largest boat that two people can handle? " is somewhat of a "how long is a piece of string?" question. After all, Alain Colas single-handed the 236 foot CLUB MEDITERRANEE across the Atlantic in the 1976 Ostar Trans-Atlantic race in the days before boat automation was as advanced is it is today. Recently, Jean Le Cam, a 62 year old French sailor raced a 60 foot boat non-stop around the world and came in fourth in an older design to boot. But also when it comes to how big a boat a couple can handle. the size of the boat should be measured in displacement and not length, for while length does play a bit of a role, displacement more than anything else controls the forces involved in handling a boat, the interior volume of the boat, and the carrying excess capacity of the boat., When I started sailing there was a rule of thumb that suggest that a cruising boat should have a displacement of 2 1/2 to 5 long tons per person (5600 to 11,000 lbs per person) Of course, that was before modern multi-speed winches, high modulus sail cloth and lines, low friction block and many of the other niceties we have gotten used to in the 60 years since I started sailing. That rule of thumb also does not account for the modern sailor's desire to have all of the comforts of home. These days, I would probably suggest that a more reasonable range is closer to 10,000 to 15,000 lbs. per person, but with come caveats. This is where personal preference, physical fitness, and experience level comes in. As boats start to approach the upper limits of that range, it becomes increasing difficult to manage the boat without more complex a systems. Up to about 25,000 lbs displacement, the boat can be managed with conventional geared winches, but even as that limit is approached, it requires someone in really good condition to grind in a genoa or haul up a mainsail on a boat that size with conventional winches. If you don't want to add stored powered winches and sail handling gear, then the next move is to add 'coffee grinder' type winches which allows a tremendously more effective means of handling the line loads. With size everything gets more expensive and complex and more dangerous to operate. For most cruising couples, once a boat gets above 24,000 lbs the tendency is add powered winches, and then hydraulic vangs, and backstays. These come with a big price tag and a major drop in reliability. Some folks also switch to in-mast furling systems as well, which again is a big ticket item that comes with a drop in reliability. Each of these make it easier to manage a bigger boat with less physical strength. Similarly, over perhaps 15,000 lbs, a boat is too big to easily manhandle when docking. As displacement increases over that t requires more skill to come into a dock or leave a dock short-handed and without injuring the crew members or the boat, Bow thrusters, and rotating sail drives, or a multi-hull's twin engines help enormously in close proximity maneuvers. But again at the price of complexity. (That said the dual engines on a multi-hull do provide redundancy that a single engine boat lacks) . If this was me, in my mind, I would never want to handle anything bigger than perhaps 45 feet, and that assumes that both members of the couple are extremely physically fit. I bought my 10,500 lb. 38 foot planning to single- or double hand her to Europe At the time, that seemed like an ideal size for a couple. I was concerned that as a boat got bigger it would get deeper and that would begin restrict my cruising options and require stored energy. I was friends with couple who sailed a 63 footer around the world, and, yes there were times and places where that length became a problem, but they dis it. .But in the end, as at the beginning, it comes down to your capabilities and preferences If you are willing to put in the hard work to get into good physical condition and learn to be a really good sailor, and have a lot of money to throw at this, then the sky is almost the limit, But otherwise, as others have said, look at a bunch of boats and mentally try them on for size., You might find that you don't need or want that XXL and might do much better with a medium. We are here to listen as you go through that process and kick in more ideas. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. We look forward to hearing about your journey. Jeff  

Jeff_H said: As others have suggested, the question probably should be "What is the smallest boat that suits our needs?" The question is "what is the largest boat that two people can handle? " is somewhat of a "how long is a piece of string?" question. After all, Alain Colas single-handed the 236 foot CLUB MEDITERRANEE across the Atlantic in the 1976 Ostar Trans-Atlantic race in the days before boat automation was as advanced is it is today. Recently, Jean Le Cam, a 62 year old French sailor raced a 60 foot boat non-stop around the world and came in fourth in an older design to boot. But also when it comes to how big a boat a couple can handle. the size of the boat should be measured in displacement and not length, for while length does play a bit of a role, displacement more than anything else controls the forces involved in handling a boat, the interior volume of the boat, and the carrying excess capacity of the boat., When I started sailing there was a rule of thumb that suggest that a cruising boat should have a displacement of 2 1/2 to 5 long tons per person (5600 to 11,000 lbs per person) Of course, that was before modern multi-speed winches, high modulus sail cloth and lines, low friction block and many of the other niceties we have gotten used to in the 60 years since I started sailing. That rule of thumb also does not account for the modern sailor's desire to have all of the comforts of home. These days, I would probably suggest that a more reasonable range is closer to 10,000 to 15,000 lbs. per person, but with come caveats. This is where personal preference, physical fitness, and experience level comes in. As boats start to approach the upper limits of that range, it becomes increasing difficult to manage the boat without more complex a systems. Up to about 25,000 lbs displacement, the boat can be managed with conventional geared winches, but even as that limit is approached, it requires someone in really good condition to grind in a genoa or haul up a mainsail on a boat that size with conventional winches. If you don't want to add stored powered winches and sail handling gear, then the next move is to add 'coffee grinder' type winches which allows a tremendously more effective means of handling the line loads. With size everything gets more expensive and complex and more dangerous to operate. For most cruising couples, once a boat gets above 24,000 lbs the tendency is add powered winches, and then hydraulic vangs, and backstays. These come with a big price tag and a major drop in reliability. Some folks also switch to in-mast furling systems as well, which again is a big ticket item that comes with a drop in reliability. Each of these make it easier to manage a bigger boat with less physical strength. Similarly, over perhaps 15,000 lbs, a boat is too big to easily manhandle when docking. As displacement increases over that t requires more skill to come into a dock or leave a dock short-handed and without injuring the crew members or the boat, Bow thrusters, and rotating sail drives, or a multi-hull's twin engines help enormously in close proximity maneuvers. But again at the price of complexity. (That said the dual engines on a multi-hull do provide redundancy that a single engine boat lacks) . If this was me, in my mind, I would never want to handle anything bigger than perhaps 45 feet, and that assumes that both members of the couple are extremely physically fit. I bought my 10,500 lb. 38 foot planning to single- or double hand her to Europe At the time, that seemed like an ideal size for a couple. I was concerned that as a boat got bigger it would get deeper and that would begin restrict my cruising options and require stored energy. I was friends with couple who sailed a 63 footer around the world, and, yes there were times and places where that length became a problem, but they dis it. .But in the end, as at the beginning, it comes down to your capabilities and preferences If you are willing to put in the hard work to get into good physical condition and learn to be a really good sailor, and have a lot of money to throw at this, then the sky is almost the limit, But otherwise, as others have said, look at a bunch of boats and mentally try them on for size., You might find that you don't need or want that XXL and might do much better with a medium. We are here to listen as you go through that process and kick in more ideas. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. We look forward to hearing about your journey. Jeff Click to expand...

It sounds more like I should stay with my Chris-Craf ketch as it is in the length range that is being given for two people. I can keep the condo and lease it for a year to see if living on the ketch will work full time. My 3 kids think I have gone off the deep end. My lady has her life and money and is up for this also. Will see if the boat and condo makes it through the next few hours/days.  

By "Chris Craft Ketch", I assume that you are referring to the Chris Craft Caribbean.35, which was the second generation version of the Chris Craft 'Sail Yacht 35" and the only Ketch that I remember Chris Craft building., I would respectfully suggest that would make a very poor choice for a trans Pacific passage, These were old school motor sailors that would either require some mix of extremely long passage times or a whole lot of motoring. They lack the storage capacity and tankage for those kinds of passages. While the displacement is generally may fall within an accepted range for a couple to make distance passages, the specifics of the design are not suitable. The minimal ballast ratio carried in a shallow keel, represents a compromised stability. The high drag means that the boat needs to carry more sail area than the low ballast ratio, narrow waterline, and high top hamper will safely permit. Having delivered one of these in not all that bad conditions, the motion comfort, especially in the high raised cockpit, is also ill-suited for offshore passage making, where large roll angles drain crew strength, and diminish the crew's reserve energy to deal with crises. I would suggest that you consider boats that are better suited for longer passage making., You will be way safer and more comfortable in the longt run. Jeff  

MarkofSeaLife said: "What is the smallest boat that suits our needs?" No one NEEDS a sailing boat. Click to expand...

My advice. Step into this slowly. Sailing the oceans is a world of difference from coastal sailing or bay/lake sailing. Fortunately, I found out a long time ago that I have no burning desire to be sailing the open ocean. Been there, done that. I very much prefer and enjoy the interface between the land and water. As a result, my voyaging is very happily limited to an overnight passage from Miami to the Bahamas, or inter-island group Bahamas, or Key West to Dry Tortugas. A trailerable pocket cruiser accommodates my desire to see new places much better than the capacity for ocean voyaging. Two of us cruised and enjoyed the northern Bahamas for a month in an ODay 25. Adequate for the purpose, although we were typically the smallest boat seen. Also, from Key West to Dry Tortugas, and the Northwest Passage in Lake Huron for 2 weeks. But I was so much younger and stronger (and poorer) then. Now I single hand (all day sailing so far) in a Stuart Mariner 19 on Albemarle Sound. I have a tiller clutch and a jib down haul to keep everything manageable from the mast and/or cockpit. The Mariner heaves to very nicely while raising or dropping sail. I can scull with the rudder pretty reasonably for short distances if the motor acts up. The displacement is just enough that my weight placement is not critical, yet light enough to fit on my boat lift or easily trailer to other waters. If there were 2 of us camping aboard for a month at a time, I would probably want a bigger trailerable boat. Total investment in a 2500 sq ft water front house on 1.5 acres, 2 boat lifts, new 19ft center console, and the Mariner was less than $700K (2021 prices). I'll take this lifestyle any day over living aboard. Fred W  

As a 45 year old couple we had a Nautical 56 we lived on for 4 years and which 2 of us would sail south from FL to the Caribbean always heading out ahead of a storm so we would get blown south for at least 4 days. After that we had a Irwin 65 foot ketch with all Hood furling sails and two of us sailed that from Miami each year to and from Antigua with ease. In fact because of its setup this was easier for us to sail than the 56 footer with all in mast electric Hood furling, bow thruster etc. So the set up of the boat greatly affects how many hands you need. But that was 30 years ago. After a 30 year break, now when I’m 77 we’ve just bought our 6th boat, a Beneteau 50. I took it on its first sail for me with a friend from St Martin to Trinidad where it’s currently hauled for the hurricane season. This boat has a furling headsail and lazy jacks on the main with all the lines run back to the cockpit, so more manual than our previous boats but everything controlled from the safety of the cockpit. We had a great sail south in 18-30 knots winds and she was beautiful. So again it’s how the boat is set up which determines how large you can go. Hope that helps. You can email me if you have any further specific questions ( [email protected] ). Cheers. Keith English Here’s our new baby creaming it across the Caribbean in 20-33 knot winds doing 8-10 knots and our 20 tons plus just slicing through the seas.  

C2E4AA0A-038A-4973-823C-196166B607DC.jpeg

• Sep 29, 2022

Creaming it on our run South from St Martin to Trinidad, some 15nm east of St Kitts …  

Larger boats are not necessarily more difficult to handle. In fact, sometimes easier than smaller vessels. As a case in point, some dear friends- now in their 80s- continue to double-hand their 94ft steel ketch as they have for decades here in Alaska. [Our 43ft ketch seems like a tender in comparison...] They even wrote a book entitled Cruising a BIG sailboat - shorthanded . It is a worthwhile read given your inquiry... This year they decided to put their boat on the market so they could begin searching for a vessel requiring a bit less upkeep when they reach their 90s... In case this is of interest... Cheers! Bill  

I’m 100% with you Bill. I’m 77 and in May we bought our 6th boat, a Beneteau 50 (previously 15 to 27 to 34 to 56 to 65). The 50’ is easy to handle with all controls run back to the cockpit and an electric winch, has tons of space to relax in and is a dream in a blow. Here we are on a run from St Martin to Trinidad about 25 miles offshore of St Kitts in a 20-32 knot blow creaming it at 8-10 knots in relative comfort as our 20+ tons pushes effortlessly through the seas. So faster, more comfortably and with a lot more space. Two of us in our 70s have no problems sailing her.  

We’ve had racers up to 65 feet. It is harder to dock the larger they get. And it depends on how you rig. But we decided 45 feet isn’t too hard for us to dock without help with lines. It’s very shallow draft with a centerboard so we also have a bow thruster which is important since, without the keel down, maneuvering at a dock gets tricky.  

My husband and I have a 38 foot and a 20 foot. We are in our 60's The 38 foot is actually easier to sail. We could go bigger. The only issue is when the engine has crapped out and we had to sail it down a river a couple of times. Then we need an additional two people for strength. Once we were going down wind and he and I were fine. We must have been a sight the first time because people were jumping up in awe and clapping! I wish we had a photo. My daughter said well our ancestors used to sail here, so we can too. True enough. It was a little nerve wracking because people swim in the narrow channel and some boaters can be fairly clueless, but we made it both times with no calamities. In an emergency more than 2 people are welcome, but the majority of time we are good and could sail a much larger boat.  

Depends on the “two people “ you know, knowledge, age/strength, as we age we get physically weaker, then unable to use the knowledge at times, and one won’t always have a younger stronger crew member to compensate…, imo, a boat between 35 and 40 feet, bigger if you have a budget that includes a crew, Fair winds,  

FWIW...I'm 77, the Admiral 75. We've sailed our 43'monohull thru Asia, spent 5 seasons sailing the Medd, and are now about to start our 7th season here in the Caribb. We do, occasionally, have guests onboard, but mostly it's just the 2 of us. Except for haul-out and resplash we seldom spend time in a marina. And we've had NO problems! Sure, we've hit some dicey wx, had some equipment malfunctions, etc. And there have been times when we've been the..."entertainment for the day" as we try to back our monohull (w/o bow thruster) into a med moor! But with the MS on a in-mast roller furler, the HS on a roller refer, the a SS (seldom used, but avail) on a roller refer, and a Milwaukee right-angle drill with winchbit to assist on the winches-we've had no problems. Age is a relative thing-if it feels good, ...do it; someday we'll quit...but not anytime soon! We've had no problems with our 43 footer.  

I agree with Mark that equipment has gotten progressively more reliable. His alternator anecdote is a perfect example of that phenomena. But, I personally do not agree on the power driven winches are perfectly reliable. They certainly are labor saving and make handling bigger boats much easier and safer. But having personally been aboard three separate boats where power winches from several different manufacturers failed, I do not consider them bullet proof. Granted in the one case it was not the winch itself that failed but a failure of the solenoid for the winch. That was only a 10 year old boat that had mostly only been coastally cruised. In the other cases, it was a failure of the motors, in one case a total failure, and in the other a situation where the prolonged run time of a tack caused a condition that would throw the breaker mid tack causing someone needing to dive below and reconnect it. It was later diagnosed as a problem with the motor and was corrected by replacing the motor. Having hauled up a mainsail and having pulled in a reef on 47 footer without an electric winch, its not something that I would want to do in foul conditions. And while you can hand crank a powered winch, at least on the ones I tried to hand crank, there is a mechanism in the socket that makes it hard to keep the handle in the socket. But I respectfully suggest that this thread illustrates the point I was trying to make when I said. "I think for each individual crew and each passage type and location, there is a 'Goldilocks Zone", where the boat is not so small to make the passage more difficult and dangerous, or too big to be manageable if something breaks." In this discussion, we have SanderO, who cruised his boat extensively, posting pictures of his 36 footer to demonstrate what he considered a comfortable cockpit and interior for distance cruising, we have Mark who has sailed around the world in a 39 footer, we have one member posting essentially the same post three times showing that he felt so strongly in advocating that a 50 foot boat as his absolute minimum, and of course the examples extended all the way up to a couple in their 80's who cruised on a 94 foot ketch. Even if their individual decision on the right size boat might not work for someone else, none of these folks are wrong. They each of made their own best decision, and their decision worked out for each of them, . In other words, the answer to the question that is the title of this thread comes down to somewhere between 'how long is a piece of string?" and " what size boat works for you personally.?" In the end, there is no universally right answer to this question that truly suits everyone equally. In my mind, at best these discussions provide illumination on the various ways that individuals approach answering a question like this one. Jeff  

• ?            
• 175.2K members

Top Contributors this Month

trending now in World News

German woman given harsher sentence than convicted rapist for...

North Korea publicly executed 22-year-old man for listening to...

Fire breaks out on Icon of the Seas -- the world's largest cruise...

Gay IDF soldiers slam LGBTQ protesters' 'fake understanding' of...

Tensions escalate at Ukraine border as EU drops new sanctions on...

Iran threatens 'obliterating war' if Israel launches full-scale...

Couple spots mysterious 'sun-like' glowing UFOs: 'Yo, I think...

Father-son terrorists describe how they raped, murdered women on...

Breaking news, fire breaks out on icon of the seas — the world’s largest cruise ship.

• View Author Archive
• Email the Author
• Get author RSS feed

Contact The Author

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

A fire broke out Tuesday on the largest cruise ship in the world — the same liner where a passenger plunged to their death last month.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was docked in Costa Maya, Mexico when the small blaze erupted, causing the massive ship to briefly lose power, officials told USA Today.

The fire was isolated to a crew area and was quickly extinguished without any injuries.

The ship’s backup power was activated, preventing the vessel from deviating from its itinerary. The 20-deck vessel is sailing a week-long Western Caribbean cruise that departed from Miami, Florida on Saturday, according to  CruiseMapper .

The minor blaze isn’t the first notable incident on the Icon of the Seas since setting sail on its maiden voyage in January.

In May, a passenger leapt off the 1,200-foot cruise ship on the first day of the week-long expedition to Honduras. The boat was only 300 miles from its Florida origin port at the time.

Passengers told The Post about the “dystopian” scene that ensued when people aboard prematurely celebrated that he was pulled from the water, assuming the man was alive.

One month earlier, 20-year-old passenger Levion Parker plunged to his death off another Royal Caribbean cruise after a reportedly drunken fight with his father.

His remains have not yet been found after he climbed through a window on the Liberty of the Seas and jumped in front of his younger brother and dad.

Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Share this article:

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Fire breaks out on world’s largest cruise ship just months after it first set sail

The royal caribbean ship, which can carry more than 5,000 passengers, departed on its maiden voyage in january, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts

Get simon calder’s travel email, thanks for signing up to the simon calder’s travel email.

A fire has broken out on Icon of the Seas – the world’s largest cruise ship – causing it to lose power while docked in Mexico .

No one was injured in the “minor” blaze on Tuesday while the ship was in Costa Maya, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told The Independent.

The fire was quickly extinguished, the spokesperson said.

Power was only lost briefly, as the backup systems kicked on right away and the main power was restored.

The fire started in the crew area of the ship but it’s not immediately clear what caused the fire, the spokesperson said, adding that the vessel will continue on its journey as scheduled.

The ship is scheduled to head to Cozumel, Mexico, on Wednesday, according to CruiseMapper .

The colossal cruise ship first set sail from Miami in January. Dubbed “the largest ship in the world,” the Icon of the Seas spans 1,200 feet long and holds up to 5,610 passengers across its 20 decks . The ship is operated by 2,350 crew members.

The massive vessel boasts seven pools, including the “largest pool at sea,” the “world’s largest waterpark at sea,” six waterslides and nine whirlpools. In addition to water activities, Icon of the Seas also has a rock climbing wall, Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, a beach-themed carousel, an arcade, and a mini-golf course.

The vessel touts more than 20 ways to dine, and more than 15 bars and “nightlife experiences,” including a karaoke bar, spread across its eight “neighborhoods.”

When images of the ship first launched, many expressed distaste for it, calling it a “monstrosity,” a “nightmare,” and “human lasagne.”

But the Royal Caribbean president Jason Liberty called it “biggest, baddest ship on the planet.” When bookings opened for the ship started in October 2023, Royal Caribbean had its strongest sales day in its 53-year history, the company noted.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• Boat Pro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Lusben opens largest sailing yacht inspection pit in the Mediterranean

Azimut-Benetti refit and repair arm, Lusben , has welcomed a new inspection pit for canting keel sailing yachts of up to 70 metres at its facility in Livorno, Italy. 

Measuring 8.5 metres deep and 3.5 metres wide, the new workspace is the largest of its kind in the Mediterranean, requiring a total investment of €500,000. 

The space allows for all forms of maintenance operations to be performed on sailing yachts, such as painting or keel work. Alternatively, two concrete slabs can be placed on top of the pit so the area can be used to perform work on motor yachts. 

According to Lusben commercial director Gianni Paladino, the yard has already secured several maintenance bookings for the upcoming fall season. 

" This major investment in the Livorno site, following others completed in recent years, confirms the Group’s intention to expand the Lusben division and, in the coming years, consolidate its position as a benchmark for refit work in the Mediterranean," said Paladino. "Now we have the space, the technology and the people to achieve this important objective."

Alessio Centelli, the Livorno site manager, added: "It’s a remarkable project that confirms [Lusben's] credentials as a centre specialising in the world of sailing yachts as well.”

The addition of the inspection pit comes as part of Lusben's three-year "refit area upgrade programme", announced in 2023. 

From our partners

What the World’s Largest Cruise Ship Is “Really” Like,“ ”from a Passenger Aboard Its First Voyage (Exclusive)

T he massive and much-hyped ship embarks on its maiden voyage from Port Miami on Jan. 27, but PEOPLE got a first look during the preview sailing

Calling all cruisers! Royal Caribbean’s shiny new ship, Icon of the Seas , is finally ready to make its official debut.

PEOPLE got a first look at the world’s largest cruise ship on a preview sailing ahead of its official maiden voyage on Jan. 27, and spent days exploring the vessel to see if it’s really the perfect combination of “thrill and chill” like the cruise line says. After experiencing a trip on the floating mini city (really, it has eight neighborhoods including a Central Park!), we can confirm that Icon has everything cruise lovers could want in a vacation and then some. 

Here’s everything to know about the record-breaking Icon of the Seas, including what you can only learn by sailing on it. 

The ship will depart from Port Miami next week for its first seven-night sailing and head for a number of destinations throughout the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Ports will include Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico, Roatan in Honduras, Cozumel in Mexico, Basseterre in St. Kitts & Nevis, Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, and Royal Caribbean's private island retreat Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

Prices for both trips currently range from $3,600 all the way up to $100,000 per week depending on the route and type of accommodation. 

The Superlatives

Icon of the Seas is breaking records in more ways than one. It boasts the world’s largest water park at sea ( Category 6 ) and pool at sea ( Royal Bay ). It's also just slightly longer than and holds a higher passenger and crew capacity than Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas , which formerly had the title of largest cruise ship in the world.

After completing a round of sea trials in June 2023 and naming soccer star Lionel Messi its official Icon in December, the ship is finally ready to start bringing cruisers on a larger-than-life vacation through the Caribbean. 

It’s Basically a Floating City

Cruisers can spend hours exploring each of the eight neighborhoods aboard the ship that all strive to create a unique travel experience based on specific vacation styles. The open-air Central Park is a lush oasis that surrounds passengers with four live plant walls and offers a number of restaurants and bars to dine at — including a walk-up champagne bar and an eight-course dining experience at Empire Supper Club . Guests can even let loose and sway along to live music at Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues . 

The Royal Promenade boasts stunning ocean views through the cruise line’s first floor-to-ceiling window feature equipped with connected decks. The neighborhood also offers more than 15 dining options (the ship in total offers over 40 ways to dine and drink) that can be enjoyed by families and solo adult passengers alike. Additional restaurants, bars and cafes can be found at the AquaDome which has a 55-foot waterfall display as well as panoramic views of the ocean. 

For those looking to lounge by the pool and relax, The Hideaway offers a suspended infinity pool overlooking the sparkling sea, while Chill Island features the most expansive pool at sea at 5,813 sq. ft. The neighborhood also includes a swim-up bar, Swim & Tonic , where cruisers can enjoy refreshing frozen drinks while wading in the water. However, because the ship can hold up to 7,600 guests at max capacity, the bar gets packed pretty quickly so you'll need to claim your spot early.

For adventurers and families, Thrill Island and Surfside are the spots to be. Thrill Island is where Category 6, is located, along with additional daring excursions like the free-fall Pressure Drop slide, FlowRider surf simulator and rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak. Thrill-seeking cruisers can also challenge themselves at Crown’s Edge where they’ll be suspended 154 feet above sea level. 

Meanwhile at Surfside, Royal Caribbean’s first-ever neighborhood designed specifically for families, parents and kids can enjoy their own mini adventures through the beach-themed carousel, family festival and more fun-filled activities. Parents can even have a chance to unwind at the Water’s Edge pool while they watch their kids play in the nearby Splashaway Bay or Baby Bay.

Last but not least, at the Suite Neighborhood , guests can experience the multilevel sundeck at The Grove, enjoy the luxurious private pool and eat at the two-deck Coastal Kitchen. 

Accommodations for All Kinds

With 2,805 staterooms and more than 28 different types of rooms, Icon of the Seas offers a unique way of cruise living. Guests can soak in the views in Royal Caribbean’s first-ever Infinite Balcony Room that can fit up to four people. The room’s private terrace allows cruisers to escape for a while and breathe in the fresh, salty air. 

Surfside Family Suites accommodate families of four and are conveniently located in the heart of Surfside making it easy for kids to jump straight into the action. They offer a private balcony that overlooks the neighborhood so families can always have a glimpse of the fun. 

To take a family getaway above and beyond, cruisers can consider booking the 2,523 sq. ft. Ultimate Family Townhouse that accommodates up to eight people. The three-story space boasts an indoor slide, a wraparound balcony with a whirlpool, an outdoor patio with table tennis and direct access to Surfside. 

This accommodation is so packed with activities and extra space that it costs $100,000 for the whole seven-night sailing and it's already booked through the next year.

Another noteworthy suite is the two-level Icon Loft which is priced at approximately $64,000 for a week. It includes a private hot tub, a wraparound balcony, a piano and primary bedroom with a freestanding bathtub. Both the Icon Loft and Ultimate Family Townhouse offer complimentary specialty restaurants, special beverage packages and unlimited wifi.

Meanwhile, all Sea Class rooms require guests to purchase separate wifi packages.

The least expensive stateroom on Icon of the Seas is the Interior Plus which costs about $3,600 a week.

Entertainment

The option to enjoy live entertainment is always a plus on any vacation, especially if you’re looking to escape some of the chaos happening throughout the 20 decks on board. A good place to start would be the first rendition of The Wizard of Oz at sea in the Royal Theater. The production is similar to a Broadway-level show, from cast members floating over the audience to fake snow falling from the ceiling and more spectacular special effects in between. 

To see the first cast of robots perform the unimaginable, guests can head to the AquaTheater at the AquaDome to see performances that blend together theatrical and live-action movie experiences.

If a show isn’t the vibe for the night, cruisers should head over to Boleros bar and lounge to hear Travesia bring Latin rhythms to life. Afterwards, the Adult Comedy LIVE! show located in The Attic is a good place to laugh the night away.

A Mini Paradise Awaits at CocoCay and the New Hideaway Beach 

It wouldn’t be a Royal Caribbean cruise without a Perfect Day at CocoCay stop. The company’s private Bahamas island retreat promises to keep the adventure going at Thrill Waterpark with 14 slides to ride.

The island is also offering a new addition for adults only called Hideaway Beach — its first-ever private escape where grownups can admire the stunning white sand and turquoise waters without any interruptions. 

While the new addition does imitate a relaxing beach club feel with free-flowing drinks and snacks to enjoy all day long, it also presents a similar issue to Swim & Tonic in that it gets packed really quickly. Be prepared to walk to the other side of the cove and spend a few minutes looking for a lounge chair before you can sit back and relax.

A Few More Things to Keep in Mind

Although this is the largest cruise ship in the world, cruisers should expect to feel the boat moving from time to time. Depending on the weather, it can rock to the point that guests may lose their balance, and it's definitely more intense towards the front of the ship. For those who get seasick easily, it's best to book a stateroom towards the middle of the ship where less movement is felt.

This truly is a massive ship. It has a gross tonnage of 250,800 which is about five times more than the Titanic at 46,328, according to CNN . It also takes approximately six minutes to walk from one end of the ship to the other — and that's without stopping to chat with the incredibly friendly crew members on board.

And for the ultimate cruise nerds, Icon's Captain Henrik Loy told preview guests that the ship can reach a speed of about 24 knots (28 mph) during an exclusive tour of the vessel's bridge. The ship was cruising at about 11 knots (13 mph) during this sailing, and the captain added that the max speed is very fast and not needed for this type of trip.

Icon of the Seas Is Just the Beginning  

Also during the preview sailing, Royal Caribbean shared an exclusive look ahead at the next epic adventure they have up their sleeve. Star of the Seas will become the newest ship to join the cruise line's Icon Class when it makes its debut in August 2025. While it won't be the next largest cruise ship in the world, it will still aim to create an epic vacation on board through its accommodations, dining, entertainment and more.

The company also confirmed that an unnamed Icon 3 ship is currently in the works, but the timing and name of the ship has not yet been announced.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People .

• 672 Wine Club
• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Dubai Tourism
• Gateway Bronco
• On Location – Olympic Games Paris 2024
• One&Only
• The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
• Saratoga Spring Water
• Wynn Las Vegas
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide
• The World’s Largest Carbon-Fiber Sailing Catamaran Could Be Yours for $19 Million

The 110-foot "Mousetrap" previously belonged to Logitech co-founder Daniel Borel.

Rachel cormack.

Digital Editor

Rachel Cormack's Most Recent Stories

This 190-foot custom superyacht is a luxe haven for fitness lovers.

• The Original Illustration for the First Harry Potter Book Just Sold for a Record-Breaking $1.9 Million
• Share This Article

The world’s largest carbon-fiber sailing catamaran is looking for a new owner.

Related Stories

• Genesis’s Electrified G80 Will Have a Massive New Screen
• Rivian Wants to Launch 5 New Models After $5 Billion Volkswagen Investment
• Rimac Is Launching a Self-Driving Ride-Share Service. Here’s What We Know.

After completing a decade-long world voyage, Mousetrap underwent an extensive, multi-year refit from 2021 to 2023. The owner’s directive was to spare no expense to restore her to as-new condition, with a knowledgeable crew and a significant capital investment helping with the makeover. The revamp included new machinery, new sails, servicing of mast and rigging, new teak decks, fresh paint, and overall refinishing.

“With outstanding sailing performance, impressive dimensions, and ‘as new’ condition, Mousetrap stands out as the finest large sailing catamaran available today,” Fraser says.

Mousetrap has a large, open-plan layout that will appeal to modern seafarers, too. With an innovative carbon-fiber arch supporting the mast, the main salon is free of posts and bulkheads that might otherwise interrupt flow. She also has a wide 46-foot beam that results in a light, airy interior with 180-degree ocean views.

The aft deck spans the entire beam, creating a huge alfresco dining and lounging space. A large sliding door leads to the main salon, enabling seamless indoor and outdoor living. The main salon is divided into four sections that can be used for relaxation, dining, working, and more. The space features an elegant desk, a large central bar, a giant wraparound sofa, and a formal dining table for fancy dinner parties. The salon extends to the foredeck where guests will find a custom six-person Jacuzzi, a plush lounge, and a concealed ladder for easy water access.

Click here to see all the photos of Mousetrap.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

Read More On:

• Fraser Yachts
• Sailing Yacht

More Marine

This New 164-Foot Superyacht Is Like a Floating Night Club

The Ritz-Carlton’s Luxe 794-Foot Cruise Ship Is Voyaging to Asia Starting Next Year

This Sleek 48-Foot Yacht Is an Elegant Speed Machine Capable of 40 Knots

The Grand UK Debut

JULY 17 - 19, 2024 Head to the British countryside to test and evaluate the top luxury and performance vehicles of 2024.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

Meet ‘Dot,’ a 153-Foot Converted Ferry That Doubles as a Waterfront Loft

‘mousetrap’ in photos, more from our brands, model and former soap opera star renauld white dies at 80, lebron opts out but plans to re-sign with lakers, per report, michael j. fox joins coldplay on guitar during glastonbury headlining set, little simz makes appearance to debut new song, banksy sends inflatable migrant raft into glastonbury crowd, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors.

Best star snaps of the week: Beach, please! Set sail with Beyoncé and more

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed
• Follow on X
• Email the Author

Contact The Author

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Bikini-clad Brooke Burke flaunts her fit physique and more star snaps