Yacht Charter Glossary
Beam
Also known as: Yacht Beam · Vessel Beam · Maximum Beam
Full explanation
Beam matters as much as length for a yacht's actual feel aboard.
A 40m yacht with 8.5m beam has approximately 30% more interior volume than a 40m yacht with 6.8m beam - meaning bigger cabins, wider corridors, and a saloon that doesn't feel cramped.
Modern luxury motor yachts have been getting beamier (8–9m on a 40m yacht is now standard) because volume drives charter rates more than length per se. Beam by yacht type, typical 2026: 30m motor yacht: 7.0m. 30m sailing yacht: 6.8m. 30m catamaran: 11–13m (catamarans have 2 hulls separated). 40m motor yacht: 8.5m. 50m motor yacht: 9.5m. 60m+ megayacht: 10.5m+. Where beam matters for itinerary: narrow harbours (Hydra Town, parts of Symi) cap yachts by beam, not length.
A 30m yacht with 6.5m beam slots in.
A 30m beamy modern yacht with 7.2m beam doesn't fit and must anchor outside the harbour, tender in.
This is a real chartering constraint in the Saronic and Dodecanese.
Why it matters for UHNW charterers
Beam is the silent spec that determines whether your master cabin feels palatial or cramped. UHNW buyers should ask about beam alongside LOA - and at viewing, walk the saloon to feel the width. A beamy yacht is a different product than a narrow yacht of the same length.
Worked examples
Beamy vs narrow at the same LOA
Yacht A: 40m LOA, 9m beam. Interior volume ~580 m³. Master cabin 28 m². Yacht B: 40m LOA, 7.2m beam. Interior volume ~430 m³. Master cabin 20 m². Same length, different yacht.
Frequently asked
About beam
Why do catamarans have such wide beams?
Catamarans have two hulls - beam is measured across both, including the open bridge deck between them. A 25m catamaran might have 11m beam, which would be physically impossible for a monohull.
Do beamier yachts roll more or less?
Less. Wider beam increases initial stability - the yacht resists tipping more strongly. This is why catamarans (extreme beam) roll almost imperceptibly.
Is there a maximum beam for Greek marinas?
Most Greek marinas accept yachts up to 9.5m beam without issue. Above 10m (rare on monohulls, common on catamarans) some marinas charge double fees because the yacht occupies two berths.
Related terms
Other definitions worth knowing
LOA (Length Overall)
LOA is the total length of a yacht from the foremost point of the bow to the aftmost point of the stern, mea…
Draft
Draft is the vertical distance between the waterline and the deepest point of a yacht's hull (typically the …
Catamaran
A catamaran is a twin-hulled yacht offering exceptional stability, shallow draft, and large deck areas. Mode…
Flybridge
The flybridge is the upper outdoor deck of a motor yacht, typically above the main saloon, used for sunbathi…
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