Yacht Charter Glossary
Flybridge
Also known as: Fly Deck · Sun Deck · Upper Deck
Full explanation
The flybridge is where most of life on a Mediterranean yacht happens.
Breakfast on the flybridge with the morning sun.
Lunch on the flybridge looking at Schinoussa.
Sunset cocktails on the flybridge facing the Cyclades sunset.
Dinner on the flybridge under the stars.
On a well-designed yacht the flybridge is the heart of the charter, not the saloon. What a typical flybridge contains: open dining table seating 8–12, sunpads on the foredeck section, a wet bar, often a jacuzzi or pool, a secondary helm station (so the captain can navigate while social activity continues below), shade structures (bimini or hardtop), occasionally a flat-screen TV. Flybridge vs sun deck terminology: on smaller motor yachts (under 30m) the term 'flybridge' is standard.
On larger superyachts (40m+) with multiple upper decks, the topmost deck is often called the 'sun deck' or 'sky lounge', and 'flybridge' refers specifically to a covered/semi-covered helm-and-lounge area on the second-from-top deck.
Terminology varies by builder. Why the flybridge is the most-used space: the Mediterranean sun and breeze make outdoor living the default 9 months of the year.
A yacht with an enclosed saloon and weak flybridge feels cramped quickly.
A yacht with a generous flybridge feels twice as big as it is.
Why it matters for UHNW charterers
When viewing yacht photos or virtual tours, the flybridge is the space to evaluate most carefully. Square footage, shade options, dining capacity, jacuzzi presence - these are the variables that drive day-to-day comfort. A weak flybridge condemns a charter to indoor living.
Worked examples
Standard flybridge, 35m motor yacht
Open dining table for 10. Sunpads forward. Wet bar. Bimini shade. Spa pool seating 6. Secondary helm with full instruments. About 60 m² of total useable space.
Sun deck on a 55m superyacht
Two zones: forward sun deck with massive sunpads + jacuzzi for 8. Aft sun deck with full dining for 12 + outdoor cinema screen. Hard-top shade with retractable louvers. About 120 m² total.
Frequently asked
About flybridge
Do all motor yachts have flybridges?
Most do. Some 'sportfishers' or pure-performance motor yachts have minimal or no flybridge to reduce weight and air resistance. For luxury chartering, a meaningful flybridge is essentially mandatory.
Can sailing yachts have flybridges?
Rarely. A flybridge would interfere with the boom and rigging. Sailing yachts have other forms of upper-deck space (cockpit, deckhouse roof) but not a flybridge as such.
Is the flybridge usable in bad weather?
Only with a hardtop or bimini cover. Open flybridges become unusable in rain or strong wind. Yachts with retractable awnings or fully-enclosed flybridges (with side curtains) can be used in more conditions.
Related terms
Other definitions worth knowing
Motor Yacht
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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
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Tender
A tender is a small boat carried aboard a yacht for transferring guests between the yacht and shore, water-s…
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