How Far Can a Yacht Travel?

With many yachts now able to cover thousands of nautical miles on a single tank, exploring the open ocean is a goal many yacht owners and charterers will find attainable. But while luxurious superyachts are extremely capable vessels, their range is not limitless, and several key elements come into play when assessing exactly how far a yacht can travel.

How far can a yacht travel, exactly? Well, that depends on several factors, not least of which is the type of vessel (and the equipment it comes with). If you’re looking to buy a yacht (or charter one) with long sea voyages in mind, you need to make the right choice

Motor Yacht vs. Sailing Yacht

For sailing yachts, distance is not an issue as such since these vessels are not fuel dependent. With the right sailing conditions and an experienced skipper, a well-maintained, fully stocked, seaworthy sailing yacht could cruise on for a good couple of months. The average pace for a 30-foot monohull is between 4 and 6 knots, while a catamaran will likely achieve twice that speed.

How far can a yacht travel when it must rely on its fuel tank? As a general rule, the larger the motor yacht, the larger the fuel tank, and the more impressive the range. For example, a 35-foot (10.5-metre) motor yacht with a 100-litre tank can cover about 400 nautical miles. A 75-foot (23-metre) vessel that can accommodate an 11,000-litre tank, on the other hand, will usually reach 1,500 nautical miles. The most accurate way to determine a yacht’s performance and general seaworthiness is a series of tests called “Sea Trials”. These trials assess a vessel’s speed, maneuverability, equipment, and safety features.

Yacht Size and Hull Shape

Irrespective of the theoretical range, how far a yacht can travel also depends on the size and shape of its hull, as not all vessels are designed to withstand the same cruising conditions.

When the height of a wave reaches a certain percentage of a boat’s length (which depends on various elements, such as the type of hull), the vessel is at risk of being knocked down or rolled. In other words, size matters. Smaller yachts, for instance, cannot sustain waves higher than 4 feet and may be best suited for protected harbors, intercoastal waterways and day trips.

Many yachts utilize V-shaped planing hulls, which let the boat skim across the water, lifting the front part out as it speeds up. Vessels of this design tend to go faster and use less fuel as they glide over the water instead of plowing through it, but it makes for a rougher, more unstable ride and a yacht that can be prone to rolling or banking in sharp turns. If you’re looking for speed, this is an interesting compromise, but it isn’t ideal for ocean crossing. That said, stabilizing technology has come a long way, making such vessels much more seaworthy than they used to be.

While they typically achieve lower speeds, yachts with displacement hulls are better suited for ocean-crossing. Their round-bottomed hull shape allows them to travel more smoothly and safely through the water.

To find the right type of yacht for your needs, be sure to contact a Fraser Yachting specialist.

How far can a yacht travel under ideal circumstances? The answer might well be “as far as you’re willing to go”! Long-range explorer yachts are designed specifically to explore distant waters and cruise for thousands of miles without needing to restock supplies or refuel.

Auxiliary Power Sources 

One way a yacht can travel further is by relying on auxiliary power sources that help economize fuel. Some yachts even come equipped with solar generators, wind generators, or hydro generators. This means you can harness power from renewable sources and transform it into electricity that can be used to produce light, heat water, or even run the engine, in the case of hybrid propulsion systems.

Technologically Advanced Add-Ons

Even if you traveled on board a yacht that is capable of long range cruising, you could only remain at sea for as long as your supplies last. That’s where desalination systems – or water makers – come in. These solutions turn seawater into safe-to-drink water for all your daily needs.

When at sea for extended periods, access to the Internet can also be a concern. The advances in satellite connectivity now allow superyachts to remain connected at all times.

How far can a yacht travel and how does it affect your itinerary? Crossing an ocean isn’t just about the distance. It’s about how you manage your resources to make it to your destination.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean

The faster you travel, the higher the fuel consumption is. If you wish to travel 2,700 nautical miles (about 5,000 km) on a 5,000-litre fuel tank, you won’t be able to do it at full speed because you would burn through your fuel too quickly. At about 10 knots, the journey should take over twelve days, but you wouldn’t run out halfway through.

Crossing the Pacific Ocean

Crossing the Pacific Ocean involves similar considerations, to which you should add cyclones and the course of the water. It’s all about selecting the ideal itinerary and crossing at the right time (usually between February and June).

The importance of a knowledgeable, reliable, and experienced crew cannot be understated. Ultimately, your captain is the one who makes crucial decisions, and the crew must execute them flawlessly.

Supplies are another major challenge on a long sea voyage. Whether you charter a yacht or own one, your Captain and crew will manage all of this for you. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to discuss it with your captain.

Similarly, the yacht must be in perfect condition: another thing yacht charter experts always see to.

Finally, even with careful preparation, some vessels are just not suitable for extended trips, or at least not comfortable ones. Consider what amenities are absolute must-haves for you and what luxury add-ons would constitute welcome perks. For some, it could be a gym. For others, it would be a jacuzzi, an entertainment room, expansive deck spaces, water toys, a specific number of guest cabins, etc.

We’ve briefly touched upon the benefits of hybrid technology for long-distance cruising from a practical perspective. But it’s worth noting that such systems are also a great choice for environmentally conscious yacht owners or charterers.

Many superyachts are now equipped with macerators that process biodegradable and organic waste so it can safely be discarded into the sea.

And, of course, sustainable yachting also means aiming to minimise your impact wherever you can, from adopting sustainable fishing practices if you catch fish while at sea, to using reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life.

Charter a Yacht With Fraser Yachts

Our selection of yachts for charter includes several vessels capable of handling long sea voyages while offering the highest level of luxury and comfort.

And, if you are looking for a yacht for sale for your next expedition, we’re here to help you find the one.