What’s all the fuss about yachts being “under 24 metres”… and why do shipyards work so hard to squeeze as much yacht as possible into that number?
This video was inspired by a viewer comment from Patrick Abas, who pointed out something many people only discover after they start researching ownership: the jump in costs, complexity, and regulation once you cross the 24m threshold can be dramatic.
Here’s the key point: it’s not based on the yacht’s advertised length, and it’s not simply LOA (Length Overall).
The “under 24 metres” conversation usually comes down to Load Line Length (often written as LLL) — a technical measurement defined by the International Convention of Load Lines. In plain English, it’s much closer to the length of the hull that’s actually working in the water, rather than swim platforms, bow overhangs, or styling tricks.
Follow us also on YouTube
@Yachtsforsaleblog
@YachtsforCharter
@yachtbuilders
And our partner’s channel:
@MarineMaxOnline
If you are interested in becoming a yacht broker:
yachtbrokermasterclass.com
And if you would like to keep updated on events at the Yachts For Sale YouTube team you can join the free INSIDE INFO newsletter at
www.yachtsforsaleblog.com
That’s why you’ll sometimes see yachts that look absolutely enormous still qualifying as “under 24m” in the paperwork.
In this video I explain:
LOA vs Load Line Length (and why they’re not the same thing)
Why different class societies can interpret the measurement differently
How builders deliberately design around the 24m mark
What changes for owners once you go above 24m (surveys, compliance, crew, admin)
Why “under 24m” often means simpler ownership, year after year
And I use real examples from our recent videos, including:
Sunseeker 90 Ocean
Ferretti 940
Azimut Chillin
Sanlorenzo 96A (ICE OF LONDON)
These aren’t loopholes — they’re deliberate design choices built around a regulatory threshold that can make yacht ownership feel either manageable… or like you’ve just stepped into a much heavier world.
If you enjoy these easy-to-understand explainers and want more topics like this, subscribe and drop your questions in the comments — I’ll gladly turn the best ones into future videos.