What is the definition of a yacht? Are we sailing yachts, or do you have to have an enclosed space to accomodate the "007 Bond" girls?

A Yacht-Any vessel large enough to hold the Captain, his Lady and a bottle of wine.

Actually, I meant that as a serious question. What IS a yacht?

The glossary of the “Encyclopedia of Sailing (revised 1978)” says, “yacht” is a “general term for a boat used solely for the personal pleasure of the owner”.

Does that mean my canoe is a yacht? Is a pontoon boat a yacht? Is a jonboat a yacht? --That can’t be right.

Usage varies somewhat depending on where you are from -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacht

"Yachting" .... is a function of the brainwave length .... NOT the waterline length ....

So, YES ... I've been "yachting" in small rowboats/sailboats ===> to ===> large 40+ powerboats/sailboats

Harry

Yacht is the traditional name given to what is actually a watery equivalents of a black hole that sucks all the money you have and almost nothing escapes to be recovered.
They are usually referred to as "that hole in the water where my money disappears".

And if it's spelled Y-A-C-H-T, why isn't it pronounced "Throat-Warbler Mangrove"?

I always considered a "yacht" to be a boat either (1) large enough or (2) expensive enough to have some sort of paid help (crew or team) assisting it

The true meaning is in fact: A boat used solely for the personal pleasure of the owner. That was one of the first things I learned when I was studying Yacht Design. No I never went on to become a Yacht designer or finished the school but it was one of those things I did during the 70's during the crazy years.

But most people use the word as: "A boat I could never afford in this life time!"

I think Mike just made my point .....

Harry

Indy; the name comes from the Dutch (or other Germanic language) word, where it means "hunt" short for "hunting ship". IE: a fast ship used for chasing (down) adversaries and later for racing.

It's also a Monty Python reference... Raymond Luxury Y-A-C-H-T

That is hilarious !