Yacht Charter Glossary
Draft
Also known as: Draught · Yacht Draft · Vessel Draft
Full explanation
Draft is the constraint that determines where a yacht can anchor or moor.
A yacht with 3m draft cannot enter the gorgeous shallow anchorage at Donousa (1.8m water in places); a yacht with 1.5m draft can.
This single specification opens or closes whole categories of Greek anchorages. Draft by yacht type, typical: small motor yachts (24–30m): 1.8–2.3m.
Large motor yachts (40–55m): 2.4–3.2m.
Sailing yachts (most): 2.5–4.5m (deeper because of the keel for sailing performance).
Catamarans: 1.2–1.5m (no keel - flat bottom).
Trawler yachts: 2.0–2.8m. Greek anchorages where draft matters most: Donousa, parts of Antiparos (Despotiko channel), Lipsi, Skiathos shallows, parts of Spetses harbour.
Catamarans access all of these; deep-draft sailing yachts cannot. Draft trade-off: sailing yachts have deep draft because the keel provides sailing performance and counterbalance to the mast.
Motor yachts can have shallower drafts because they don't need that.
But all yachts above 35m typically have 2.4m+ draft to provide enough underwater volume for crew quarters and machinery.
Why it matters for UHNW charterers
If your itinerary includes specific shallow anchorages (Donousa, Despotiko, parts of the Sporades), draft is the single most important spec. A buyer asking about the perfect itinerary in the Small Cyclades needs a catamaran or a shallow-draft motor yacht - period.
Worked examples
Yacht-anchorage compatibility, Donousa
Donousa main anchorage: 1.8–4m depths. Yachts up to 1.6m draft: anchor close to beach. 1.6–2.5m draft: anchor middle. 2.5m+ draft: anchor far outside or skip Donousa entirely.
Frequently asked
About draft
Why do sailing yachts have deeper draft than motor yachts?
The deep keel of a sailing yacht provides counterbalance to the mast (preventing tipping under sail) and improves windward sailing performance. Motor yachts don't have sails, so they don't need deep keels - only enough hull depth for stability and machinery.
How shallow can catamarans go?
Most luxury catamarans have 1.2–1.5m draft. Some performance catamarans with retractable daggerboards can reduce to under 1m. This is the major reason families with shallow-anchorage preference choose catamarans.
Does draft change when the yacht is loaded?
Slightly. A fully fuelled, fully provisioned yacht with 12 guests aboard sits a few centimetres deeper than the empty figure. Specs usually quote 'full load' draft, which is the safest planning number.
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…
Beam
Beam is the maximum width of a yacht's hull, measured at the widest point. Wider beam means more interior vo…
Catamaran
A catamaran is a twin-hulled yacht offering exceptional stability, shallow draft, and large deck areas. Mode…
Sailing Yacht
A sailing yacht is a yacht equipped with masts and sails as its primary propulsion. Modern luxury sailing ya…
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