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10 interesting fun facts about boats that you did not know

Aug 05, 2020

less than a min

10 interesting fun facts about boats that you did not know

Boats are very interesting vessels. Here are some fun facts about boats that you might not have heard about.

  • Good luck and back luck omens are different on a boat than on dry land. For instance, whistling on a boat is expected to bring upon strong winds and is therefore considered bad luck. Bananas on a boat are also seen as bad luck especially on fishing boats. It is thought that fish do not bite on a hook if there are bananas close by. Finding a cat on a boat on the other hand is considered good luck, even if it is a black cat. Cats eat rats and keep the boat clean and safe.
  • The youngest person to sail around the world is Laura Dekker. She is a 14-year old that went off to sail around the world in 2012 and finished her trip 518 days later when she was 16.
  • A party yacht has tripped over once as all the passengers moved to one side to have a better look at a nudist beach in Texas.
  • A 2004 study has confirmed that joining a cruise ship after retirement is cheaper than retiring to a retirement home.
  • The difference between a boat and a ship lies in its weight. If a vessel is over 500 tones then it is called a ship. A ship can also carry a boat.
  • The first ship to reach America only had 40 people on board, including Christopher Columbus. It was the size of a bus and it did not exceed 70 feet.
  • According to evidence found by several archeologists, boats have been used over 900.000 years ago.
  • Americans own about 18 million boats today. Some of them are used for recreational purposes while others are commercial boats.
  • Boats have a life expectancy. After that, they are not deemed safe or stable anymore. Usually, cargo ships that sail in the oceans can have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. Sailboats are meant to be used for 30-40 years even if they are made of softer materials such as plywood or fiberglass.
  • Vasa is a Swedish warship that is known for sinking in 1628 and being recovered in 1961. After spending centuries in the water, this boat was still completely intact and in good shape. It is actually the only vessel left from the 17th century. This boat now lies in the Vasa Museum of Stockholm which was built as a tribute to this ship. It is now one of Sweden’s most popular attractions. It receives almost 30 million tourists.

Explore TheBoatAPP to learn more interesting information about boats and their features. Discover how to maintain, manage, and preserve a boat through the complete database of TheBoatAPP. Become a boat master in no time!

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7 Interesting Facts About Yachts You Didn’t Know About

  • 19th November 2022 12th December 2022

If you’re in the market for a luxury yacht, you might be interested to learn some interesting facts about these vessels. Did you know that yachts can come in all shapes and sizes? Or that they can be used for more than just recreation? In this blog post, we will share seven interesting facts about yachts that you may not have known before. Keep reading to learn more!

7 Interesting Facts About Yachts You Didn't Know About

1. Yachts can come in all shapes and sizes

No two yachts are alike! Yachts can range in size from just a few feet long to over 400 feet long. And, they come in all sorts of shapes and designs. Some yachts are sleek and modern, while others are more traditional in style. There is sure to be a yacht out there that is perfect for you. For example, Sunseeker yachts are known for their modern and sleek designs, while Riva yachts are known for their classic and elegant style.

2. Yachts can be used for more than recreation

While many people think of yachts as simply recreational vehicles , they can actually be used for a variety of purposes. For instance, some business owners use yachts as floating office space or as a place to entertain clients. Additionally, many celebrities and other public figures use yachts as a way to escape the paparazzi and enjoy some privacy. And, of course, yachts can also be used for rescue missions and other important tasks.

3. There are companies specializing in transporting Yachts

While you may think that transporting a yacht would be a difficult and expensive task, there are actually companies specializing in yacht transport. According to the team at Cross Chartering Yacht Transport , these companies have the experience and the equipment necessary to safely transport your yacht to its destination. Additionally, many of these companies offer door-to-door service, so you don’t have to worry about any of the logistics.

4. Yachts can be powered by a variety of methods

Yachts can be powered by gas or diesel engines a 12v100ah LiFePO4 battery or they can be solar-powered. Solar-powered yachts are becoming increasingly popular, as they are more environmentally friendly than traditional gas or diesel engines. Additionally, solar power is often cheaper than other forms of energy, so it can save you money in the long run. For instance, the Eco yacht by Aqua is a solar-powered vessel that can travel up to 7 knots without using any fossil fuels.

5. Yachts require a lot of maintenance

Owning a yacht is a lot of work! These vessels require regular maintenance and upkeep. For instance, you will need to clean the hull and deck, as well as the interior of the yacht. Additionally, you will need to service the engines and other mechanical components on a regular basis. Of course, you can always hire someone to do all of this work for you, but it is important to be aware that it is a lot of work nonetheless. For instance, the team at Ocean Alexander Yacht Maintenance provides full-service yacht care, so you can rest assured that your vessel is in good hands.

6. Yachts can be a great investment

If you’re looking for a solid investment, you may want to consider purchasing a yacht. While the initial cost of a yacht can be quite high, these vessels often appreciate value over time. Additionally, if you rent out your yacht when you’re not using it, you can generate some extra income. Just be sure to do your research before making any decisions, as there are a lot of factors to consider when purchasing a yacht. For instance, you’ll need to decide what size and type of yacht you want, as well as where you’re going to keep it.

7. There are many different types of yachts

There are several different types of yachts, including motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans, and more. Each type of yacht has its own unique features and benefits. For instance, motor yachts are typically faster than sailing yachts, but they can be more expensive to operate. Sailing yachts, on the other hand, are typically slower than motor yachts but can be cheaper to operate. Ultimately, the type of yacht you choose should depend on your specific needs and preferences.

7 Interesting Facts About Yachts You Didn't Know About

We hope you found these seven facts about yachts interesting! As you can see, there is a lot to learn about these vessels. If you’re considering purchasing a yacht, be sure to do your research so that you can find the perfect one for you. And, if you’re not in the market for a yacht, we hope you now have a better understanding of these fascinating vessels.

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25 Interesting Facts About Sailing You Probably Don't Know

Sunset with clouds and mast

Sailing is a very popular sport, and it has had a large influence on modern life. I've came across lots of interesting facts about sailing, and list them here.

With such a rich history there are many interesting stories to tell. It has shaped our language and the way we see the world today. Our society and free trade is built on the tradition of sailing.

So in this post I've listed all sorts of interesting sailing facts that I came across while researching the articles on this website. Most of them are beyond the obvious. Surely, the trade winds are named after the trade they facilitate? No, it's actually the other way around.

On this page:

1. sailboats are slow (but efficient), 2. trade is named after the trade winds, not the other way around, 3. sailing gives you access to places that are off-limits to tourists, 4. the ideal wind speed for sailing is between 8-12 knots, 5. historical sailboats are often misrepresented, 6. you can operate a 100' sailboat alone, 7. the youngest person to circumnavigate the world was 16-year old laura dekker, 8. feeling blue is originally a sailing term, 9. one of the best laser radial sailors is from the netherlands, 10. sailing has been a part of the olympics from 1896 onwards, 11. 'sonofagun' actually refers to your birthplace, 12. the average salinity of oceans is 3.5% - but it varies greatly, 13. the world-record sailing speed is 65.45 knots (75 mph), 14. you can sail for nearly 22,229 miles in a straight line, 15. the first person to circumnavigate the world alone was joshua slocum (1898), 16. the new york yacht club has one of the longest winning streaks in sports history, 17. the largest sailing yacht in the world is nearly 470' or 143 m long - or not, 18. sailing around the world westward is more difficult than eastward, 19. 'he's a loose cannon' ..., 20. the most popular sail rig is based off a moorish lateen rig, 21. the only 5-masted tall ship sunk because of its speed, 22. the smallest boat to sail around the world was 21 feet, 23. sailboats can sail faster than the speed of the wind, 24. the sailing flags originate from the dutch war efforts against the british, 25. the mightiest pirate was a female chinese prostitute.

The average sailboat cruises at about 4-6 knots, (4-7 mph or 7-11 km/h) and has a top speed of 9 knots (10 mph or 17 km/h). It's just not that fast. That isn't to say there aren't any quick boats: they can be incredibly fast. Especially the multihulls, which have to displace a lot less water. They can go up to 50 knots (almost 60 mph or 93 km/h).

Most sailboats are slow is because they are small (under 20') - and the hull speed is directly related to the length of the boat. Longer sailboats are faster.

So how is a sailboat able to go around the world in under 75 days? Well, they go on all day and night. Also, traveling on water allows you to go in straight lines more often than on land.

Want to know how far a sailboat can sail in a day ? Check out my other article on the average sailing distance in different conditions (new tab).

Our ancestors found that the Atlantic had very reliable wind roads. These roads were called trade winds, trade being the Middle English word for 'track' or 'path'. The trade winds were so important for the English fleet and economy that the name 'trade' became generally accepted to mean (foreign) commerce'.

If you want to learn how the trade winds work , I recommend to read my post on the Atlantic Crossing .

Did you know that there are a lot of small island that are off-limits to tourists? Some of these islands are real hidden gems, with exotic species, wonderful landscape, and authentic villages. There are no flights or cruises going there - but you can get there by boat.

It can be quite the experience to sign in to the island in a 40-year old ledger, with under 200 names in there.

Small tea house on cliff in bay in blue ocean

The easiest wind to maneuver small and mid-sized boats is between 8-12 knots, while still being able to reach good speeds.

Anything between 5-8 knots is ideal for beginners that are trying to learn to sail. Anything under 5 knots gets tediously slow.

If you like to learn more about wind speeds, I really go into detail in my previous post Ideal Wind Speed for Sailing .

When we think of old skool sailboats (of the late Middle Ages for example), we often thing of large galleons and first rates. However, due to a flaw in the design of the hull, the ship builders weren't able to build large ships until the Renaissance.

The extended beams, running across the entire length of the ship, were too weak, so they would rot out. Large experimental ships would find an early sea grave when they split into two and sunk.

So the huge floating multi-level buildings with 100 cannons only started to be made in the Napoleonic era, when they figured out you could use cross beams to reinforce the hull.

People often ask me what the biggest boat is they can operate. You can actually operate a 100' sailboat by yourself - if you rig it the right way.

World-record holder François Gabart operated the 100-foot Trimaran MACIF by himself. However, it's not easy and you have to be experienced and mentally tough. Most sailors seem to stay under 35 foot.

Sailing alone is also called short-handed sailing, and you need a short-hand sailing rig. Typically this means lot's of automated systems, and all the sheets running to your cockpit, allowing you to operate the sails while steering at the same time.

The hardest part of sailing by yourself may actually be the docking. Some marinas even offer a special service to help you with that, lending a helping hand. If you are inclined to sail alone (or don't have any friends), you should definitely consider switching to a marina that provides this service.

Sailing a bigger boat does have its advantages . They are more stable, for example. Find out all about boat size for single sailors in What’s the Largest Boat One Person Can Operate? (new tab)

16-year old Laura Dekker (NED) is the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the world solo, after Jessica Watson (AUS) did it just before her 17th birthday. Dekker was 16 and 123 days.

She almost didn't make it because of interference of the Dutch government, who didn't think it was a good idea for a teenager to sail the world. She proved them wrong in all sorts of ways.

The youngest circumnavigation isn't recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records, because they don't want to encourage 14-year olds to sail around the world alone.

If a ship lost its captain during a voyage, the sailors would sail blue flags, indicating their loss. So if you're feeling blue, you're actually referring to the blue flags that used to sign the ship's crew is in mourning.

Marit Bouwmeester is one of the most successful laser radial sailors in the world. She's a 4-time world champion and 1-time Olympic champion (2011, 2014, 2016, 2017), and came in second in 2010, 2012, 2015. She's recently won the World Cup in Enoshima, Japan.

Why does this matter? Well, she's from my neighborhood, and a friend of mine is one of her BFFs, which is pretty cool.

Sailing has been a part of all modern Olympic games, except for the 1904 Summer Games, which were held in Louisiana.

This makes it one of the longest running Olympic disciplines around. So if people ask you: 'is sailing a sport?', simply answer with: 'the International Olympic Committee has believed it to be, for over 120 years'.

It was a gender-mixed discipline for the most part, until 1988, making it one of the only sports where women and man join in open competition.

Great Britain currently holds the most Olympic medals.

In lesser days, women needed to be smuggled onboard. Then, when the passage took longer than expected, they naturally needed to give birth every now and then. On sea, women typically gave birth between the cannons on the gundeck. If the child wasn't claimed by one of passengers or sailors, it was entered in the ship's log as being the 'sonofagun'.

While 3.5% is the average, some seas are just very, very salty. Saline water - aka saltwater - increases metal and aluminum corrosion, so the saltier the sea, the more maintenance you'll need to do.

The Mediterranean is the saltiest sea on Earth, at roughly 3.8% salinity. The Southern Ocean and the Northern Pacific are among the least saline: 3.4% and 3.3%. The Caribbean are quite saline: between 3.6 - 3.7%.

So better sail to the poles, and stay away from the Mediterranean or Caribbean: your boat will last a lot longer. (I know, it's the worst advice.)

If you want to know more about saltwater sailing , for example how to prepare your boat, I encourage you to check out my post on saltwater boats here (new tab).

Paul Larsen (AUS) is the fastest sailor of all time. He holds the world-record sailing speed for 500 meters (also called outright), and the record for fastest nautical mile.

  • Outright: 65.45 knots, which equals 121.1 km/h or 75.2 mph
  • Nautical mile: 55.32 knots, which equals 102.45 km/h or 63.66 mph
  • Fastest 24-hour: Pascal Bidégorry, 908 nm at 37.84 knots, which equals 70 km/h or 43.55 mph

Ok, it's mostly a theory of amateur cartographer David Cooke, who discovered the Cook Passage in 2015. It's a straight line running around the Earth from Port Renfrew, B.C to Quebec, without ever touching land. While critics claim it's impossible to navigate in a perfect straight line, it doesn't really matter. It's a cool theory, and it's the longest you can (theoretically) sail straight without touching land.

Making the world again a little smaller, Joshua Slocum was the first man to sail around the world by himself in 1898.

It took the world 69 years to catch up: the second attempt was by Sir Francis Chichester in 1967.

Slocum, a Nova-Scotian-born American, wrote a book about his journey in 1900, Sailing Alone Around the World, which became an international best-seller.

If you're interested, you can get his book for free on the Gutenberg project here .

The New York Yacht Club won the America's Cup 25 times for 132 years in a row, from 1851 to 1983. In 1987 challenger Royal Perth Yacht Club ended the streak. Since then, the NYYC hasn't won the cup a single time.

World Cup wins:

  • United States New York Yacht Club: 25
  • New Zealand Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron: 3
  • United States San Diego Yacht Club: 3
  • Switzerland Société Nautique de Genève: 2
  • United States Golden Gate Yacht Club: 2
  • Australia Royal Perth Yacht Club: 1

It's called Sailing Yacht A. BUT: it's actually classified as a sail-assisted motor yacht. It has however three huge Bermuda-rigged masts.

Some say Yacht A isn't technically speaking a sailing yacht. I agree. The second largest yacht is actually the longest REAL sailing yacht. Meet the Black Pearl . She truly is a great yacht, designed to cross oceans under just sail power. At 348' (106 m) it's gigantic, and it's one of the most advanced yachts in the world.

It's made in the Netherlands (I'm secretly promoting the Netherlands here), at the Oceanco shipyard.

So which of these, do you reckon, is the largest?

Most word-record contenders choose to sail eastward, thanks to the stronger and more predictable winds and currents eastward on the southern hemisphere. There are just 5 world records using the westward route, and since 2010 no one set a record by taking a right turn.

In comparison, more than 20 records have been set taking the eastward route.

  • The fastest eastward circumnavigation: 40 days and 23 hours
  • The fastest westaward circumnavigation: 122 days and 14 hours

However, most recreational skippers tend to sail westward on the trade winds, because they prefer the tropical seas.

Most people need around 3.5 years to sail around the world . Learn more on the routes and different paces in my article How Long Does it Take to Sail Around the World? (new tab)

... is originally a sailing term. The cannons on a ship could weigh up to 3,400 pounds (or 1,500 kg). You can imagine that a loose one could do quite the damage. So loose cannons are dangerous - and should be avoided at all cost. Hence the saying.

The Bermuda sloop is a fore-and-aft single-masted sailboat rig that was developed in the 17th century by a Dutch-born Bermudian. It was inspired by the Moorish lateen rig. They got to know this rig in the Spanish-Dutch independence war, where the Spanish used the boats.

It replaced the gaff rig thanks to it's superior maneuverability.

Want to know everything about sail types and rigs? I've written a killer guide on it, explaining precisely what kind of sail you're dealing with, and what it's used for. I think it's a great post, one of the best on this blog actually. Read it here (new tab).

In 1902, the first ever full-rigged five master was built: the Preußen. It was the only 5-masted full-rigged ship ever built, until the Swedish sail cruise liner Royal Clipper was launched in 2000.

(To be clear: there were other five masters, but none of them was a tall ship.)

It sailed between Germany and Chile and was capable of transporting large amounts of goods at high speeds. Its hull length was 433' (132 m). She carried 47 sails (which is a lot).

In 1910, just 8 years after her launch, she sunk in the English Channel due to damage from a collision with a small cross-channel steamer, 'Brighton'. The Brighton underestimated Preußens speed, at 16 knots.

Legend has it the skipper said: "a sailboat can't go that fast" - after which the two collided.

She's an impressive sight:

Black and white image of five masted tall ship

Alessandro Di Benedetto, who is also called the Crazy Italian, has a special world record on his name. He circumnavigated the world in the smallest sailboat: a 21' (6.5 m). It took him 268 days and 19 hours, which is not very fast.

But it's an impressive accomplishment, especially seen the fact that he's been dismasted around Cape Horn. To deal with his dismating, he made a junk rig that got him all the way back to France, finishing his world-record attempt successfully.

Most boats can't go faster than the speed of the wind. But some racing yachts and most multihulls can. The reason is two-fold.

The reason it's possible is that boats generate their own wind, allowing them to 'surf their own wave' so to speak, increasing their speed.

Secondly, keelboats have a displacement hull: they push the water forward, which means they have to deal with resistance, and this resistance increases when the speed increases.

But this isn't a problem with the rise of multihulls. Multihulls use flat beds instead of a keel, which means the hulls are floating on top of the water surface. This allows them to go much faster, since they don't have to deal with water resistance.

Want to know how to calculate the hull speed of any boat ? If you're like me and like to nerd out about these kinds of things, I definitely recommend to go check out my article on the average speed of sailboats (opens in new tab).

During the Anglo-Dutch wars (1652-1674) the British wanted to replace the Dutch as the dominant naval power. The Dutch admiral De Ruyter and Grand Pensionary DeWitt came up with a flag signaling system to outmaneuver the British. It was a success.

To be fair, this is more of fun trivial knowledge, and not so much a sailing fact. Consider it a bonus fact:

Ching Shih (which literally means 'widow of Zheng') was the mightiest pirate that ever lived. She had over 300 junks under her command. The ships were manned by between 20,000 - 40,000 men, women, and children. She fought major naval powers, such as the British Empire, Portuguese, and the Qing dynasty.

She's without doubt the most successful pirate ever. Unlike many others, she wasn't executed, but actually died as a free woman in her own home. Quite the story.

Pinterest image for 25 Interesting Facts About Sailing You Probably Don't Know

read your 25 facts. excellent, interesting, short to the point, really unknown and enlightning facts that made me curious and search more info. thanks!

Shawn Buckles

Hi Miki, thanks and great to hear you’ve enjoyed the article. You’re welcome!

Wayne Hughes

Hi Miki, Tonight we have our local small sailing club Annual Prizegiving - I am the MC - Sincere Thanks for your research and article as they will give interesting facts to be sprinkled throughout the evening.

Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club - Sydney, Australia - 115 years old this year

Ray Bradley

Very interesting reading,with some humour thrown in. Thankyou

I JUST WANTED TO SAY I WAS DOING MY HOMEWORK AND I was sooo happy to find out I got good grades thank to this website I give it a 👍🏻

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You may also like, 13 reasons why sailing is better than powerboating.

Want to know why sailing trumps powerboating? In this article I'll give you 13 clear-cut reasons why it's the case - and why I'll never go back.

Coastline filled with colorful houses, with a small lighthouse and sailing yachts offshore and a mountain in the back

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  • October 21, 2023

10 Jaw-Dropping Facts About Yachts You Never Knew

fun facts about the yacht

Welcome to the Luxury Miami Yachts blog! When it comes to the world of yachting, there’s more than meets the eye. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a maritime novice, you’ll be fascinated by these 10 jaw-dropping facts about yachts. Dive in to discover the mysteries and marvels of these luxurious vessels.

1. The World’s Largest Private Yacht

The title of the world’s largest private yacht goes to “Azzam,” measuring an astonishing 180 meters (590 feet) in length. This behemoth of a yacht isn’t just about size; it’s also about speed. Most large yachts aren’t built for speed, but the Azzam defies this stereotype by reaching up to 30 knots. Owned by a member of the royal family of the United Arab Emirates, the Azzam is a marvel of naval engineering, requiring a crew of 60 and featuring a host of luxurious amenities.

2. Surprising Speed

While yachts are generally seen as luxurious vessels and not speed boats, some defy this image. The aforementioned “Azzam” can reach speeds of up to 30 knots, which is particularly impressive for a yacht of its size. High-speed yachts use advanced hull designs and powerful engines to achieve these speeds, and they often employ cutting-edge materials like carbon fiber to reduce weight.

3. Anti-Paparazzi Design

In the age of social media and invasive photography, some celebrities go to great lengths to maintain their privacy. Certain high-end yachts feature anti-paparazzi technology that can detect the lenses of cameras and emit a light beam to prevent a clear photo from being taken. This is an ingenious way to enjoy a private life at sea, far away from prying eyes.

4. Cost of Maintenance

Owning a yacht is an expensive affair, but what many don’t realize is that the maintenance can be nearly as costly as the vessel itself. Owners can expect to spend roughly 10% of the yacht’s initial cost on annual upkeep. This includes everything from refueling and restocking amenities to paying the salaries of the crew and ongoing maintenance tasks.

5. Helipads on Board

When it comes to ultimate luxury and convenience, some yachts come equipped with their own helipads. This feature allows for quick and easy travel to and from the yacht, eliminating the need for docking at a marina when you want to go on land. It’s not just about luxury; in emergency situations, a helipad can facilitate quick medical evacuations.

6. Submarines On Board

The luxury of some yachts extends below sea level. Certain high-end yachts come equipped with mini-submarines that can be launched from the vessel. These personal submarines allow passengers to explore the ocean depths without ever leaving the comfort of their yacht. They are perfect for underwater sightseeing, exploring coral reefs, and even some deep-sea photography, offering a whole new dimension to the yachting experience.

7. Origin of the Word “Yacht”

The term “yacht” has an interesting etymology. It comes from the Dutch word “jacht,” which originally meant “hunt” or “hunt ship.” These ships were used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other enemies. Over time, the term evolved to describe a broader range of pleasure or recreational boats, reflecting the change in how these vessels were used.

8. Foldable Yachts

Space is often a luxury that not everyone can afford, especially when it comes to docking a yacht. However, innovation has led to the creation of foldable yachts that can be stored in more confined spaces. These yachts can retract their sides or fold in a manner that makes them more compact, offering a solution for those who may not have the luxury of large docking spaces.

9. Movie Theaters at Sea

For those who can’t bear to miss the latest blockbuster or want to enjoy a classic film in style, some luxury yachts come equipped with onboard movie theaters. These aren’t just any screens; they are full-fledged cinemas with state-of-the-art sound systems, plush seating, and even popcorn machines, offering a unique way to enjoy movies while cruising the high seas.

10. The Sharing Economy Sails

The concept of sharing has reached the high seas. Beyond fractional ownership, in Luxury Miami Yachts people can rent yachts for specific periods, much like renting a car or booking a ride through apps like Uber. These platforms make yachting more accessible to those who may not have the means to own a yacht but still want to enjoy the experience, even if just for a day.

We hope you enjoyed these amazing facts about yachts! Here at Luxury Miami Yachts, we’re all about delivering an unparalleled yachting experience . From speed and luxury to innovation and convenience, yachts offer a blend of features that cater to all kinds of sea adventurers. So the next time you’re planning a sea voyage, remember that yachting offers more than just a touch of opulence—it offers a world of endless possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • How fast can yachts really go? A: While yachts are generally not built for speed, some high-end models like the Azzam can reach speeds up to 30 knots!
  • What’s the cost of maintaining a yacht? A: Maintenance can be quite costly, often amounting to about 10% of the yacht’s initial price each year.
  • Do yachts come with helipads? A: Some high-end yachts do feature helipads for the ultimate in convenience and emergency situations.
  • Can I rent a yacht just for a day? A: Absolutely! With the advent of yacht-sharing platforms, enjoying a day at Luxury Miami Yachts has never been more accessible.

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10 Fascinating Facts About Boats You Need to Know

Welcome to Facts Vibes! Get ready to set sail and dive into fascinating facts about boats . From their historical significance to their modern-day uses, we’ll explore the incredible world of boats in this article. Let’s embark on an exciting journey through the waters of knowledge together.

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Exploring the Intriguing World of Boats: Interesting Facts You Need to Know

Boats are a fascinating mode of transportation that have been used for centuries. From small rowboats to large ocean liners, there is so much to learn about these incredible vessels. Here are some interesting facts you need to know about boats.

1. The oldest boat discovered dates back to around 8,000 years ago and was found in the Netherlands. This ancient vessel was carved from a single tree trunk and provides valuable insights into early seafaring.

2. The Largest cruise ship in the world is Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, measuring a staggering 1,188 feet in length. It features numerous amenities, including pools, theaters, and even a zip line.

3. The fastest boat on record is the Spirit of Australia, which reached an incredible speed of 318.75 miles per hour in 1978. This hydroplane still holds the world water speed record to this day.

4. Some of the most expensive boats ever sold include luxury yachts equipped with swimming pools, helipads, and lavish interior designs. These multi-million dollar vessels are a symbol of opulence and wealth.

5. The science of boat design involves complex calculations and engineering principles to ensure stability, speed, and safety on the water. Modern naval architects continue to push the boundaries of innovation in boat construction.

Exploring the intriguing world of boats unveils a rich tapestry of history, technology, and adventure. Whether you are fascinated by maritime archaeology, extreme speed, or luxurious yachts, the realm of boats offers a diverse range of captivating facts to discover.

Most popular facts

The oldest boat ever discovered is a dugout canoe found in the netherlands, estimated to be around 10,000 years old..

Yes, the oldest boat ever discovered is a dugout canoe found in the Netherlands, estimated to be around 10,000 years old.

The largest cruise ship in the world, Symphony of the Seas, spans over 1,188 feet in length.

The Titanic, a renowned luxury liner, sank on its maiden voyage in 1912, resulting in the tragic loss of over 1,500 lives.

The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage in 1912, resulting in the tragic loss of over 1,500 lives.

The fastest boat speed record was set by the Spirit of Australia at

The fastest boat speed record was set by the Spirit of Australia .

75 mph in Information and facts refers to the speed of an object or vehicle traveling at 75 miles per hour.

Information and facts are essential for making informed decisions and understanding the world around us.

The concept of using a rudder for steering boats dates back to ancient China around 1st century AD.

Yes , the concept of using a rudder for steering boats dates back to ancient China around 1st century AD.

Modern boats are often made from materials like fiberglass, aluminum, and steel, in addition to traditional wood.

Modern boats are often made from materials like fiberglass , aluminum , and steel , in addition to traditional wood.

The USS Constitution, a wooden-hulled frigate, is the oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat in the world.

Yes, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat in the world.

The smallest boat in the world measures just

The smallest boat in the world measures just 2.36 meters .

79 micrometers in length, created using nanotechnology.

A structure of 79 micrometers in length , created using nanotechnology .

The Vikings were skilled boat builders and sailors, using their longships for trade, exploration, and warfare.

The Vikings were skilled boat builders and sailors , using their longships for trade , exploration , and warfare .

The British Royal Navy’s HMS Victory, launched in 1765, is one of the most famous warships in history, best known for its role in the Battle of Trafalgar in

HMS Victory, launched in 1765, is best known for its role in the Battle of Trafalgar .

Information and facts are essential for decision-making and knowledge acquisition.

The invention of the sailboat revolutionized maritime travel, enabling ancient seafarers to navigate with the power of the wind.

The invention of the sailboat revolutionized maritime travel, enabling ancient seafarers to navigate with the power of the wind .

The concept of a “lifeboat” as a separate rescue vessel became widespread in the 19th century, following numerous maritime disasters.

The development of steam-powered boats in the 18th and 19th centuries marked a significant shift in marine transportation.

The development of steam-powered boats in the 18th and 19th centuries marked a significant shift in marine transportation .

The modern yacht industry extends to luxurious mega yachts, some of which boast amenities such as helipads and swimming pools.

The modern yacht industry extends to luxurious mega yachts , some of which boast amenities such as helipads and swimming pools .

Catamarans, with their twin hulls, offer stability and speed, making them popular choices for leisure boating and racing.

Catamarans are popular choices for leisure boating and racing due to their stability and speed offered by their twin hulls.

In conclusion, the facts about boats have shed light on their historical significance, technical advancements, and diverse uses in today’s world. Understanding the intricacies of boat design and functionality can enhance our appreciation for these nautical marvels and the role they play in various industries. Whether used for transportation, leisure, or research, boats continue to be an essential part of marine exploration and commerce .



Check out our fun boat facts for kids and enjoy learning about various ships and watercraft.

Find information on sailboats, luxury yachts, the America’s Cup, nautical terms and much more. Read on for a wide range of interesting trivia and information related to boats.

 

and the .

 
 
 

Science Kids ©  |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |  Updated: Oct 9, 2023

fun facts about the yacht

8 most interesting facts about sailing and boats

  • October 19, 2020

fun facts about the yacht

Ahoy there! As boaters, skippers and sailing enthusiast, some of the members of our team started looking up interesting and fun facts about sailing, during one of our trips.

Having some time to kill during one of our trips on the glistening Turkish Blue Coast , we starting telling stories heard from fellow boaters.

In truth, the discussion started over reviewing the key statistics about the recreational boating industry , which we were curious about since we were about to launch our free smart boating app , designed for making us safer together, to provide easier planning and smartly track our performance.

Tired of numbers, we started sharing knowledge and stories we have heard, right before making port.

So, after that, we thought “Hey, why not share our fun moments as a community with our future community members and with the users of our great new app .”

Having decided that, and after a little research, we came up with this:

1. Difference between a boat and a ship

fun facts about the yacht

Did you know the most important difference between a Boat and a Ship is actually the weight? It turns out that if a vessel weighs 500 tones or more it’s classified as a ship since this is the weight you need in order to carry a boat. To always know the difference, remember “A ship can carry a boat, but a boat cannot carry a ship.”

From all the specifications that separate the two, we can count areas of operations (ships operated in oceanic areas and high seas; boats operate in smaller or/and restricted water areas), method of propulsion (boats use sails, motor, or human power and ships have dedicated engines for propulsion), technology, crew, cargo capacity, construction and design.

2. To whistle or not to whistle… on a boat

fun facts about the yacht

Did you know that cooks on board ships in the old days were the only ones allowed to whistle? Strange, right? But apparently this proved they were not using their mouths to eat the food as long as they whistled. Other crew members would not whistle since superstitiously they would think whistling would summon strong winds.

In contrast with this, having a woman giving birth to a male child on board was a sign of good luck. The children born on the ship used to be called “son of a gun”.

3. Sometimes size does not really matter

fun facts about the yacht

Image source

Did you know that the ship Christopher Columbus used to reach America was actually small? Well, it was small compared to today’s standards. The Santa Maria was no longer than 70 feet, about the size of a modern bus and weighing around 200-600 tons. It carried a crew of 52 members.

The original name of Santa Maria was La Gallega in reference to the place where the ship was built. Christopher Columbus changed the name of the ship to Santa Maria de la Immaculate Concepción.

4. Distance make the heart grow fonder

fun facts about the yacht

Did you know that statistics say that boaters and anglers are more satisfied with their marriages and friendships compared with people who don’t participate in these activities?

Also they are more likely to recycle, compost trash, use compact fluorescent lightbulbs, carpool, donate money to environmental organizations, actively trying to reduce their carbon footprint and are more likely to have close relationships with their children. This comes out of a study published some years ago by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.

5. Treasure on sea

fun facts about the yacht

Did you know that Tommy Thompson was a treasure hunter that located a ship that sank in 1857 called the SS Central America and recovered over $1 billion worth of gold from the several tons the ship carried? However, the strange thing is that he never paid back his crew or investors, and hasn’t been seen in years.

They are literally hundreds if not thousands of treasures all around the ocean floor. It is estimated to be over 20 million tons of gold. Do you feel lucky?

“The ocean is the world’s greatest museum,” says marine archaeologist Peter Campbell.

6. Look the other way

fun facts about the yacht

Did you know that in 2004 a party yacht tripped over on Lake Travis when the passengers all moved to one side of the boat as it passed a nude sunbathers beach in Texas? 

7. 3 days under water. How is that even possible?

fun facts about the yacht

Did you know that there was a man that survived under the sea for three days? You wonder how that was possible?

Well, it seems that in 2013, the chef of a sunken ship survived for 3 days under the ocean after taking refuge in an air pocket of the ship, that by this time had come to rest upside down on the seafloor at a depth of about 100 feet (30 meters).

8. “Quarantine” and its origins

fun facts about the yacht

Why Yacht Charters Need to Embrace Digital Platforms

fun facts about the yacht

Millennials and Tech

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Essential Guides

Ocean Mapping

New to Yachting

  • Jul 6, 2022

Whether you are superyacht crew, a member of the superyacht industry or just a superyacht fan, we bet these are some of the facts about the industry you didn’t know about!

1. there are currently 5,396 superyachts over 30m / 98ft in length operating in the world.

According to the SuperYacht Times ‘The State of Yachting 2022’ report, as of the end of 2021, there were 5,396 yachts over 30m / 98ft in operation. In addition, there are also around 92 superyachts out of service, while about 202 superyachts have been completely lost since 1945.

2. 95m / 312ft superyacht Kismet was used on set of a “Six Underground” Michael Bay movie featuring Ryan Renolds, Melanie Laurent and Dave Franco

Kismet has been filmed in the 2019 Michael Bay’s action movie ‘Six Underground’. Shooting in Taranto, Italy, the streaming company invested USD 150 million on the realisation of the action film, that starred Ryan Reynolds, Melanie Laurent, Dave Franco, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Adria Arjona and Corey Hawkins.

A party scene with around eighty guests and several other scenes were shot on board. Some of the explosions were also actually shot on board Kismet. And, according to cinematographer Bojan Bazelli, the filmmakers needed to be extra-mindful during the shootout scenes not to damage the teak floors which they had to protect in case they burned down.

3. The fastest superyacht in the world is M/Y Foners, reaching a thrilling 70.10 knots

The 41.5m / 136ft Foners has raced to the top spot as the world’s fastest superyacht, reaching the speed of astounding 70.10 knots. She’s been difficult to catch up with, having maintained her position for over 20 years since her delivery in 2000.

Her speed is produced by two 1,280hp MAN engines coupled with three Rolls Royce 6,700hp gas turbines that drive three KaMeWa water jets.

4. Motor yachts make up 84% of the global fleet and sailing yachts make up 16%.

5. working on board a superyacht is more than just a career.

Yachting is a career that, for its obvious perks, attracts many people. Travelling the world, earning great salary, working with state-of-the-art equipment, meeting incredible people and making lifelong friends are just some of the great things about yachting.

Unlike other careers though, yachting is an all-encompassing life adventure. Yacht crew generally live on board yachts full-time and go wherever the yacht goes. This means that one day you might be in Spain, the other day in France, and it could be a while before you can go back home to see your friends and family. It's a unique lifestyle with lots of perks but not necessarily a great match for everyone. If you are a hardworking and adventurous individual though, it could be just what you're looking for!

6. To be able to keep the 22 tonnes of exterior glass that make Oceanico’s yacht DAR, German glass maker TILSE had to develop a special sealant and glue that had to be approved by Lloyd’s

The most obvious feature of the 90m / 295ft superyacht DAR is the seamless black glass that encloses the superstructure. Oceanco’s task was to enhance the views from inside while keeping the outside from looking in. Even with lights on, it is impossible to make out what is behind the glass from the outside.

To be able to keep the 22 tonnes of exterior glass, German glass maker TILSE had to develop a special sealant and glue that had to be approved by Lloyd’s.

7. Clients from the United States own the largest share of superyachts over 40m / 130ft, owning 23% of the total world fleet

American buyers have had the largest share of superyachts over 40m in length at the end of 2021, with a share of 23%, followed by Russian owners with 9% of the fleet, and United Kingdom and Greece with 6% each. Turkey and Italy close out the list of top owning countries with 5% each.

Clients from the United States have purchased the most new-build yachts over 40 metres in the past 10 years, having acquired 18% of all of these yachts.

8. At 107m / 350ft Black Pearl is one of the largest and most ecological sailing yachts in the world

Black Pearl is a yacht of superlatives. With her three 70m carbon masts she can set 2,900 square metres of sail on the world’s largest Dynarig system. The masts have a folding system that allows the yacht to pass safely through the Panama Canal.

According to her manufacturer, Oceanco, she can cross the Atlantic without burning even a later of fossil fuel. This is thanks to her innovative propulsion system that harvests kinetic energy under sail.

Under sail, the boat’s propellers turn backwards, generating up to 480kW of power for use and storage on board. This allows the boat to operate silently for extended periods.

9. Explorer yachts are gaining popularity with its built segment growth of 33%

According to the Global Order Book published by BOAT International, there is a recorded 33% rise in expedition yacht build. Explorer yachts are built to be able to cruise in the most remote areas of the world, which allows the owners and guests to discover new regions.

Clients are curious. They want to explore, see and experience remote and unique regions of the world such as the Polar Areas, French Polynesia, Fiji, Galapagos, etc.

10. German superyacht yard Lürssen is set out to build the first yacht without a combustion engine

In April 2021, Lürssen announced that it had sold its first yacht with hydrogen fuel cells fuelled by methanol. Delivery of the yacht is scheduled for 2025 and the technology will allow the owner to spend more than 15 nights at anchor or cruise of more than 1,000 nautical miles, both completely emissions-free.

“I think it’s a clear signal that owners who already invest substantial amounts in building yachts are willing to invest that extra bit of money to go and dare say make that quantum leap of furthering propulsion technology and power technology on a yacht and this will be a game-changer especially since it has a lot of practical use," said Lürssen managing partner, Peter Lürssen.

Are you looking for a job onboard a yacht?

Become a member of YPI CREW through a free registration and let us connect you with the next step in your career.

Each of our recruiters is specialised in recruitment for a particular department and they will do their best to get you an interview onboard a yacht. They will also advise qualified crew how to best present their CV and prepare for a yacht job interview .

Are you looking for yacht crew for your yacht?

Get in touch with us so our recruiters can connect you with suitable, available and interested candidates, each of which will be checked, certified, pre-interviewed and ensured to be a perfect fit to your existing crew.

You can get in touch with us today by clicking here .

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90 facts about sailing

Not always serious, but certainly true facts about yachting from Alexander Babitsky — the founder of the yacht company «Seanation», a sailing instructor and ideologist of the largest Russian-language regatta for beginners — «AFR».

Anastasiia Mosina

Anastasiia Mosina

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Alexander Babitsky

Alexander Babitsky

Anastasiia mosina , alexander babitsky.

fun facts about the yacht

1.It is not the wind that is dangerous for yachts, but the waves. A storm of any reasonable strength alone cannot cause any damage to the yacht’s hull. The wind cannot turn the yacht over either. But a wave driven by the wind can wash away all equipment and people from the deck, and in case of an overturn, the yacht can sink. I am talking about cruising yachts and 6-8 meters waves.

2.It is not easy to come across a real storm and, moreover, a hurricane, if you are not looking for it. Many people around the world have been sailing for 20 years and have never come across extreme weather. But if you really want to, then there are places on Earth where a meeting with Poseidon in all his glory is guaranteed.

3.In recent decades, yacht manufacturing has undergone dramatic changes. One after another, shipyards, which for a long time have been producing serious and rather expensive sailboats for round the world trips, multi-day voyages, and so on, go bankrupt. In turn, unprecedented growth is shown by shipyards that manufacture mass-market boats for pleasure yachting. The retail price of yachts is going down, quality is getting worse, quantity is growing. Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria, Hanse, Dufour, Elan, etc are the shipyards producing yachts that no one would have taken seriously 30-40 years ago. Hallberg-Rassy, Najad, Oyster, Westerly, Rival, Sadler, etc are either already bankrupt, or on the verge of bankruptcy. Yachting has changed from a way to travel to a way to race and go out to sea for a casual sailing. This is evolution, and that’s okay.

Yachting is about finding ways to repair your boat in exotic locations.

4.Many people think that there are no really luxurious sailboats — only motorboats. It is not true. Google Perini Navi for example. In general, a very cool sailboat will cost as much as a very cool motorboat. It’s a matter of taste. So, a large sailing yacht doesn’t mean that the owner has not yet saved up for a motorboat.

5. Sailboats will exist until the moment when someone will not invent some other relatively economical way of moving on water without limitation in range. To cross any of the oceans on a motor yacht, you need to have a huge supply of fuel that must be stored somewhere, so this yacht must be of the appropriate size. In yachts it works like this: the length is directly proportional to the cost. Therefore, few can afford a motorboat trip around the world. A sailboat from 6 meters long is already a real ship, on which you can sail in open spaces. But as soon as a conventional nuclear reactor the size of a matchbox appears, yachtsmen will switch to this method of movement, and sailboats will remain for old-schoolers and athletes. This is what happened with photographic film. However, all this is not 100%.

fun facts about the yacht

6. Owning a yacht is not expensive. In northern Europe, you can buy a sailboat ready to sail around the world for 10-20 thousand euros. No, it won’t be a piece of shit. But you will need to work on fixing it. And all thoughts and plans will be about it.

7.The British say that yachting is about finding ways to repair a boat in exotic locations. It’s true. Yachts break down all the time. Absolutely horrible operating conditions (shaking, salt, loads, ultraviolet light), an insane amount of spare parts, the crew that doesn’t know what it is doing — all these are the reasons that the owner of a boat is constantly repairing something. Yes, you can buy a yacht for little money, but you have to invest daily. Although, if you have a clever pair of hands, don’t mind being homeless and don’t need any conveniences, then you can do with a minimum of financial investments.

The Mediterranean is a pretty lousy region for sailing yachting. There is almost always too much wind or no wind at all.

8.Sailing is considered an extreme sport. In fact, as long as it is just sport, and not a world-class sport, the chances to become disabled, dye or go missing are quite small. Modern yachts, if a skipper is competent and the yacht is fixed, are quite safe. Everything is the same as with cars.

9.Contrary to popular belief, the Mediterranean is a pretty lousy region for sailing yachting. There is almost always too much wind or no wind at all. For a sailor, the ideal weather is moderately strong and steady wind, like, for example, in the Caribbean.

10.All shipyards film inspiring commercials about how their boat is steadily sailing under a slight comfortable roll, managed by a brutal male, and a female in a dress at the same time drinks cold rose wine and smiles at the sun. In real life, everything is not so. However, if you find a closed bay, in which there is no wave, choose the right weather, do not pour too much wine into a glass, then for about 15 minutes you will be able to bring the commercial to life. But no longer.

11.Sailing athletes differ from cruising yachtsmen as much as Formula 1 riders differ from ordinary drivers. That is, a person who has been racing on the Optimist since the age of 6 needs to learn sailing in long voyages no less, and often more, than those who started cruising straight away, even if not from childhood.

12. Size is not important. And with sailboats too. To sail across the seas and oceans, you do not need a large yacht, but you need a well-prepared one. Any talks about the fact that it is impossible to travel around the world on a 10-meters long yacht are justified by nothing, except cowardice.

13. When you hear from beginner yachtsmen stories about the horrible storm they have been through, perhaps you should doubt their stories. And that’s why:

a) The wind is often gusty. At a linear speed, for example, 10 m / s, gusts can blow even up to 20 m / s. Fear has many eyes, and they will notice that figure on the anemometer, which blinks 1 time for 1 second, and then this figure will appear in their stories.

b) Sailing yachts sail under the so-called apparent wind. This is the wind that you get from adding the natural wind speed and the wind speed generated by the movement of the yacht. That is, if a yacht is sailing using the wind that blows relative to the front, then the apparent wind is stronger than the natural. The devices most often display the speed of the apparent wind. Beginner yachtsmen forget about it and think that the weather is close to stormy, which is not necessary so.

14. The Russian maritime language began and finished its development in tsarist times. Therefore, most of the modern yacht parts have only English names. And the Old Dutch words, such as grottoes and staysails, are slowly but surely leaving the everyday life of modern yachtsmen.

15.The dream of many beginner yachtsmen is to train as a skipper, get a license and start sailing people for money, thereby making a living and traveling at the same time. I also started like that. Now this plan is close to utopia. The number of such skippers is huge, plus there is always the opportunity to go to sea either for free or for little money, helping those who have their own yacht when this yacht needs to be taken somewhere.

16. No, nobody uses astronavigation now. Orientation to celestial bodies has outlived its usefulness. Which, of course, does not prevent you from knowing this method.

fun facts about the yacht

17.Although paper charts are still being produced and all sailors are being trained to use them, they will soon become a rudimentary method of navigation. Modern yachtsmen sailing in coastal waters use only electronic navigation. Those who sail far, sometimes check and make charts on paper, but this is more a desire to play it safe than a real need. Another thing is that all electronics must be duplicated, as well as energy sources for it.

Ocean crossings are very, very boring. Fixing the tack every 5 days is often the only thing you need to do. And the remaining 23 hours 59 minutes and 30 seconds you have absolutely nothing to do.

18.Regatta is a sporting competition of sailing yachts held in accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). And not just a bunch of yachts going roughly one way and passing beer from yacht to yacht. But they started to call a regatta any flotilla with more than two yachts, where someone shouted into the radio «let’s race.»

19.The word «yachting» appeared in the Russian language recently in response to the fact that there was nothing but «sailing». And spending time sailing is not always a sport. Most often, if you take the Mediterranean, it is lying on the deck to the cozy rumble of a diesel engine and the cries of seagulls. What kind of sport is it really ...?

20. Any modern cruising sailing yacht has a motor. Before, yachts with sails and a motor were called motor-sailing. Now it became meaningless and they all just became sailing. The motor is used for maneuvering in marinas, sailing in calm weather and charging batteries.

21.Ocean crossings are very, very boring. All the tales about sunrises and sunsets, dolphins and tuna, wind and sails are good for self-sufficient phlegmatic people. Dear dreamers, imagine that nothing other than the above is available for, let’s say, three weeks. Nothing at all. Do you think it’s fun? Not at all. Fixing the tack every 5 days is often the only thing you need to do. And the remaining 23 hours 59 minutes and 30 seconds you have absolutely nothing to do. Sometimes you even want a storm not to be bored. However, if you are in an ocean regatta, and not in a simple crossing, then the situation is completely different.

22.If you decided to become a skipper, it does not matter at all which system the chosen school will have: IYT, RYA or something else. You are taught by the instructor and each of them does it differently. A good instructor plus your ability plus your motivation minus your laziness = success.

23.SHOCK. SENSATION. INTRIGUE. If you decide to buy a yacht for yourself or are planning to sail on a yacht of friends, you don’t need a skipper license AT ALL. At least in most countries. Your certificate of training is only of interest to charter companies and their insurers. Yes, again — on a private yacht in most waters you DO NOT NEED A LICENSE!

24. Sailing is expensive if it’s a sport and not a cruise! The higher the class, the more money you need. Relative exceptions are small sports yachts up to 8-9 meters long. Cruises, on the other hand, are cheap. A 6-8-seater yacht in the off-season, for example, in spring, is quite affordable — about 1000 euros per week. For all 6-8 people.

25. If you do not know anything, and you are invited to participate in the regatta for your money, then this is a fraud. There are no training regattas and training in regatta conditions. Well, they exist, but they will not teach you anything there. You will stay next to one rope and periodically do something with it when the captain asks you about it (usually in a foul language). So you will spend the whole regatta and go home even more confused than you were before. However, here we are talking about regattas, and not about the «regattas» from paragraph 18. You can learn something at them, or you can just have fun.

fun facts about the yacht

26. Surprisingly, I have never seen Orthodox icons and crosses near the steering wheel or other equipment. It is scary to imagine how, in bad weather, the skipper, instead of changing sails to stormy ones, falls on his knees and prays.

I personally know several very talented skippers who often say «pull that red rope over there» instead of «pull up the tack»

27. Many yachts have 2 steering wheels not to steer together but because when the yacht heels over, one of the steering wheels turns out to be more convenient for steering. Plus, on wide yachts, 2 steering wheels help you go from board to board without losing control of the yacht.

28. There are no age restrictions for children on yachts. Many families go sailing with babies on board. You just need to comply with simple rules and that’s it.

29.The wish for a fair wind is actually not entirely true in modern conditions. When the wind blows straight from behind, comfort and speed are not great.

30. In the conditions of a modern cruising yacht, about 100 nautical terms are used. Experienced skippers like to reproach the «youth» for ignorance or misuse of certain words. I have never noticed a correlation between knowing the terms and feeling the yacht / wind. I personally know several very talented skippers who often say «pull that red rope over there» instead of «pull up the tack.» This does not stop then from sailing tens of thousands of miles.

31.A modern cruising yacht, especially a charter yacht, is a set of compromises. For each wind direction there should be a sail. And for every wind force too. Charter yachts usually have only two sails, or three at most. So you sail, but by sporting standards, it’s pretty funny. At the same time, racing boats often have 10-12 sails, which are constantly changed due to changing conditions. Naturally, this difference is due to economy.

32. Usually two people, if they are competent, are enough to operate a cruising sailing yacht. The rest of the crew is needed for a drink after mooring.

33.A very large percentage of those who have completed sailing schools and received skipper’s certificates do not go to sea on their own. Because it’s scary — more often than not, this is the main reason.

34. Surely, there are skippers who do not use foul language on board and say «please, fix the staysail sheet.» But I have not met such people.

fun facts about the yacht

35. Never in my life have I heard a «Mayday» on the radio — this is a marine SOS. That is, no one drowned / burned / died while I was at sea. I guess, I was lucky.

36. While the yacht is at sea, both boys and girls should do their business in the latrine SITTING. Otherwise, rolling will lead to a toilet being pissed from floor to ceiling.

37. Sea knots and their knowledge do not make you a sailor. I remember and knit just 8-10 knots right away. It was always enough for me. However, the majority of pretentious sofa yachtsmen will tell you that without knowing 145 knots and astronavigation it is better not to go out to sea. They really had better not go.

fun facts about the yacht

38. The main modern device for coastal recreational navigation is the iPad. Plus one more spare iPad. By the way, Airbus and Boeing pilots also fly with the iPad.

39.The well-known life jackets are a rather poor means of safety during cruise yachting. The only thing that can almost guarantee your survival if you fall overboard is the fastening, the special systems that tie you to the side of the yacht. In the event of a fall, the sailor remains tied to the yacht and only needs to be pulled up. If you fall overboard in a life jacket, there is absolutely no guarantee that the crew on board will return for you in time or even find you. The mere fact of staying afloat does not guarantee survival at all.

40. In really bad weather, you have to stay at home or in a bar. But if you find yourself at sea, then the further you are from the shore, the better for you. It is much easier to crash against rocks than to die in open water. The water is always safer than the shore.

41. A lot of yachtsmen who sail around the world and who have tons of experience don’t care about:

b) gloves and gortex;

c) the order on the ship;

d) bad and good omens;

e) maritime traditions;

e-z) the rest of the crap, which beginners believe in.

42. A lot of yachtsmen who sail around the world and who have tons of experience really care about:

a) the state of the engine;

b) the amount of fresh water;

c) the number of iPads and spare power banks;

d) satellite communications and weather forecasts;

e) the presence of whiskey and rum on board;

e-i) the condition of the rigging and sails, and other vital things.

43. If you bought a yacht and plan to live on it in the Schengen area, there are many relatively legal ways to get around the 90 days per half year rule. The main thing is that you have a valid visa. The rest can be fixed.

44. Most voyages around the world look like this: you leave point A and go to point B. There you stay for several months and wait for the weather. Then to point C. And again stay and wait for the right season, etc. Therefore, it takes 2.5-3 years to travel around the world in a big circle. Although you can try to go around in a small circle — for example, around the Arctic.

fun facts about the yacht

45.It is not easy for dogs on board the yacht. Especially large and those who went to sea with the owner being a big dog, not a puppy. It is almost impossible to toilet train an adult dog on board. Therefore, the dogs wait. Yes, they can wait for 3-5 days. And such a dog can only be transported across the ocean by plane. With cats it is, of course, easier, and they make excellent sailors.

46. There are two types of satellite internet that travelers use: slow and expensive. Slow is not the «slow» one that you imagined when you remembered how your Facebook was updated for a couple of minutes. Slow satellite internet will download a small picture for about half an hour. And this picture will cost 25-30 bucks. And it can also be expensive: 1 gigabyte of fast satellite Internet in the ocean costs several thousand dollars.

48. I am often asked: are the oceans crossed over without any stops? The answer is: absolutely. Well, that is, you can stop right in the ocean and take a break, but why would you do that. And there are very few islands when crossing the oceans, and it takes weeks to go from land to land.

48. Most of the marine inhabitants that I have seen in different waters are pensioners. No, of course there are young people and families with children, but still the majority are 60+ people. I understand why. First, as already mentioned, sailing through the seas and oceans is boring. Secondly, you need a lot of free time. Thirdly, you need some passive income. Fourthly, sitting at anchorage for months with a glass of wine is a dream, of course, but only for those who have already seen life. I haven’t seen it yet, apparently.

49. One of the things yachtsmen are afraid of is containers that have fallen from container ships. According to statistics, hundreds of containers fall from ships into the oceans every year. And some of them sink rather slowly. Therefore, a yacht always has the risk of running into a half-flooded iron box and breaking the hull.

50. Yachtsmen are also afraid of whales. In general, whales don’t care about yachts and people on them. But during the migration of whales with their babies, happy parents are somewhat nervous about anything that can potentially threaten babies. Therefore, they can become aggressive towards you and your boat. There is also a chance to crash into a sleeping whale, but he is unlikely to be aggressive in this case. And the last occasion for a close acquaintance with this sea chubby is if your bottom is painted with white or light paint. Some sexually active male whales may mistake your boat for a white-bellied vicious female and try to come close for very specific purposes. Not a fun perspective

fun facts about the yacht

51. Your yacht is your own territory that obeys the laws of the country of registration of that yacht. Therefore, if, for example, in the country of registration you can legally buy a machine gun or a grenade launcher, then you have every right to carry these weapons on board. But, of course, it must be declared when crossing sea borders.

52. For some reason, many people think that all sailors are great swimmers. This is often not the case. I, for one, don’t swim very well. At the same time, I know several skippers who generally barely stay on the water and do not really like this. And this does not interfere with their sailing hobbies at all.

Anything that seems to be intended for yachting is immediately expensive.

53.Board games can be found in some liferafts. They are there so that the unfortunate sailors would not go crazy with boredom waiting to be rescued.

fun facts about the yacht

54. The best yachtsmen and yachting instructors I have ever seen or known are British. Generally speaking, for the British to go out on a boat to the sea is the same as for us to go buy bread.

55. Cruise sailing is when the yachtsman lies, walks and sails at the same time. Indeed, 90% of the time in long crossings, their participants spend in a horizontal position, and not jumping on the deck. It is funny when we are asked whether we have lost weight during the crossing. No, we haven’t.

56. Anything that seems to be intended for yachting is immediately expensive. For example, there are two first-aid kits in an Italian store — one with a car drawn on it, and the other with a boat. I asked to see them and made sure that the items inside are identical. The one with the boat was 50% more expensive. I asked why. Cause it`s for the boats — was the answer.

57. When you buy your first yacht, you immediately want to pour money into it, regardless of whether you have it. You start buying all sorts of shit, happily install it and test it in action. You make sure that shit is shit, you dismantle it and sell it on to the next experimenter. For example, I bought my Westerly for 60 thousand euros and invested another 25 thousand into it in the first couple of months. Of course, 90% of those 25 were wasted.

In the life of every yachtsman there are at least 2 happy days: the first is when he bought a yacht and the second — when he sold it.

58. There are no universal yachts, that is, you cannot buy a yacht that will be good for racing, for sailing on weekends and for long journeys with accommodation on board. Some shipyards are experimenting with what they call «performance cruisers» — to both race and cruise, but they are still too light for the oceans and too heavy for sports.

P. S. All this is true for boats of relatively small size and cost. This does not apply to yachts from 25 meters long — doing everything on them is fun. But it’s expensive.

59. Many yachtsmen, at some point in their development, start planning to cross the ocean. If we talk about Europeans, then this is, of course, the transatlantic crossing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. This crossing has its own seasonality (December-January) and, in general, is quite simple and safe, as it passes through the zone of constant strong trade winds. In fact, this is a high-speed highway for sailing yachts — you get on the trade wind and fly. But after arriving in the Caribbean, one day you will have to decide what to do next with the yacht. The return journey is much more difficult and longer, so the yachtsman faces a choice:

a) continue to travel around the world and go to the Pacific Ocean;

b) leave the yacht in the Caribbean as a summer residence and fly home;

c) sail back, despite all the difficulties;

d) sell a yacht in the Caribbean for a penny and fly home.

Due to the fact that quite a few people use the «d» option, in the Caribbean you can sometimes buy a rather cheap boat.

60. A well-known saying goes like this: «In the life of every yachtsman there are at least 2 happy days: the first is when he bought a yacht and the second — when he sold it.» You can’t even imagine how true this is.

61. On all modern yachts, everything is made of modern materials. The hull is made of fiberglass or carbon fiber, the ropes are polyester, the sails are dacron, carbon or kevlar and so on. No one has been using any canvas for a long time. It is all the more surprising to hear from old-school yachtsmen about the ways of navigation that were used at the time of Columbus.

62.Almost everyone gets sea sick on yachts. Another thing is that it does not always come to vomiting. Seasickness is different for different people, and you can often fight it with items on hand: 50 grams of spirits, a look at the horizon, dramina and so on. After a while (from 12 to 36 hours), the body will accept its fate and will stop tormenting you, but only until the next stop at the shore, and then everything will start all over again. There is a popular myth that the vestibular apparatus can be trained once and for life. This is not so — there are no methods of training known to science. Before deciding on a sea voyage, you need to think: «Do I get car sick, bus sick or plane sick?» If the answer is yes, then yachting may not be for you.

63. It is forbidden to go to Antarctica on non-metallic yachts — the hull must be steel or aluminum.

64. To rent a charter yacht, you do not need to have a skipper’s license. You can just live on it at the pier without going out to sea. A fun alternative to a hostel.

65.In Norway, you can often find retired people living on rather expensive (1-3 million euros) motor yachts. These yachts are moored to the pier and never go to sea. But there are flowers, animals and grandchildren. During our cruises, we often came across such old people, they are very hospitable and sociable — they always invited us to drink something in the evening.

66. My yacht was taken across the ocean by two people, Edgars Vanags and Kirill Brui, widely known in narrow circles. I wrote to Edgars on Facebook: «Hi, will you take my boat across the Atlantic, I do not have time — I have a big regatta soon?» A minute later, he answered me: «Great, I will do it.» So everything was decided. And Kirill even became the yachtsman of the year in Belarus thanks to this crossing.

67. The flag, which hangs somewhere in the stern of the yacht, symbolizes the country of registration of this yacht. The country of registration does not necessarily have something to do with the owner or the skipper — you can choose it according to your personal criteria. That is, if you see a yacht with, for example, a British flag, the probability that the British own it is fifty-fifty.

68. Fishing in the ocean can be simple. If you leave a flashlight on the deck at night, then flying fish are guaranteed to fly into its light. They will fly in to die right on board. If you notice them in time, you can hang them on a rope and air-dry like roach. And if you notice it too late, you will then go and look where the stench comes from.

69. There is statistical evidence that people in liferafts and lifeboats are more likely to die from despair than from exhaustion. There is no proof, if you don’t want to — don’t believe it.

fun facts about the yacht

70. The Solent Strait, where the Seanation Cup takes place during the May holidays, is known as the best place for regattas on Earth. Local athletes have a high level of training, and most importantly, a good knowledge of the characteristics of the water area (which is extremely important there), therefore they compete not only and not so much in yachting skills, but in bullying. Moral pressure and humiliation of the enemy, as well as attempts to provoke and deceive, is a normal practice when passing marks, start and finish lines.

71. In ocean conditions, you can wash yourself, including rather long female hair, using only 1 liter of fresh water.

72. Electricity on a yacht can be produced in a variety of ways:

a) diesel, if there is a supply of diesel fuel;

b) solar panels, if there is sun;

c) a wind generator, if there is wind;

d) water turbine, if there is wind and you are sailing.

As a rule, there is always something mentioned above. If there is nothing, you are out of luck. I know people who put all 4 devices on their boats. It usually doesn’t make much sense, but these people explain this decision by the love of electricity. Vasily Surikov, for example, loves it.

73. If you don’t like someone, then here’s a way to have perfect murder. Take this person with you on a crossing in the open sea, or better yet, the ocean. At some point in time, this person for some reason ends up on board — to pee or just to watch the sunset. You push the person, and the yacht follows its course but without the unpleasant passenger already. It is better to do this at night, since you will have several hours of head start before you start shouting into the radio about the tragedy that has happened — you were asleep and do not know where, when and why the person went. There are no signs of a struggle on the deck, so it didn’t happen. Yachting is dangerous, anything can happen. There were such precedents, maybe people fell off, or maybe ...

74. The very fact of bouts of seasickness is not a reason not to go to sea. Once Constantine crossed the Atlantic with us. He vomited every day for 21 days. Sometimes several times a day. According to him, he liked the crossing. He did not take advantage of the opportunity to go ashore during a stop in Cape Verde, saying: «Well, there is nothing to worry about, everything is ok.»

The fact is that it is enough to drag a couple of ropes back and forth for the yacht to move somehow, and for many this is enough.

75. The most useful device for a cruising yachtsman after the iPad is the Garmin InReach satellite tracker. This gadget has a built-in Iridium transceiver, which means that you are connected from anywhere in the earth’s geoid. Email, Facebook, sms, etc. And for very little money. No, this is not an advertisement, although it looks like that.

76. A little more about corpses and yachting. A group of middle-aged men were sailing on a yacht across the ocean, and about the middle of this crossing, one of the sailors died. He had an ulcer, or something of this sort. The guys rushed to call lawyers in Russia and Barbados, suggesting to throw him overboard, since it was warm outside, and the guy started to rot. Lawyers were against it — take him with you, they said, since you had already informed everyone about the accident. Well, so they had to do it. They wrapped a friend in a film, put him in a dingy (an inflatable small boat) and tied it behind the yacht. So they were sailing with it for several days until they arrived in Barbados. Everything would be ok, but the wind on this crossing was blowing from behind — I don’t know how the guys were breathing.

77. One of the few nations that is still difficult to meet on yachts is the Chinese. I am sure that they will be there soon. But recently, in a large marina of Athens, a Chinese man approached me and asked me whether I have seen a catamaran with Chinese. In fact, I did, and I told him where to look for it. Because there was only one such boat out of 2 thousand ones in the marina.

78. The most expensive marinas, as far as I know, are in Ibiza and southern Italy. During the high season, a mid-size charter yacht pays up to € 300 per night. At the same time, mooring in Portugal, for example, will cost 11-15 euros per night.

79. If you are an exhibitionist, nudist, voyeur or just an masturbator, then the best place for you is the waters of the Balearic Islands — Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. In no other place have I seen so many naked yachtsmen and yachtswomen. Of course, most of them are older people.

Snobbery is what a beginning Russian yachtsman will have immediately after receiving a skipper’s certificate.

80. SENSATION! SHOCK! Sail tuning and cruising yachting are often incompatible things. Not only do cruise boats do not have a variety of sails, but skippers, for the most part, do not have an understanding of what to do with these sails. The fact is that it is enough to drag a couple of ropes back and forth for the yacht to move somehow, and for many this is enough. So, when you see tons of ropes, remember that many yachtsmen don’t understand what to do with them either.

81. Every ocean marina has a message board. And on it, there are a lot of notes with texts like this: «I am John from Australia and I am going on my 40-feet yacht from Tenerife to Brazil. I am looking for an assistant or two. I will pay all the expenses.» Or something like that. So, there is a whole niche for adventure seekers. On the one hand, you can travel the world for free, on the other hand, you will have yachting practice.

82. More often I met gay men on Italian yachts. They travel in couples and sometimes with dogs.

83. I have never heard that those who played football since childhood and played in semi- or professional football teams, tried to preach or criticize those who casually play football in the yard. In yachting, it happens all the time. Snobbery is what a beginning Russian yachtsman will have immediately after receiving a skipper’s certificate. It is about Russian yachtsmen. I did not notice such an attitude towards beginners or inexperienced sailors among the British, Norwegians or French.

fun facts about the yacht

84. Children from 6 to 12 years old, if they are not on a yacht from birth, are rather bored at sea. While adults pretend to be amazed by the sunrises, sunsets and the rustle of the waves, the kids have to play iPads and eat cookies. Catamarans and a cheerful children’s parties are an exception. I have never met kids that would look forward to spending a week or two with their parents on a yacht.

85. Despite the fact that the range of sea VHF communications is very limited and is only tens of miles in the open ocean, on the radio I regularly heard monologues in languages unknown to me, individual phrases, and sometimes even songs. At the same time, the radar did not show any ships around, and the nearest land was more than a thousand miles away.

86.There are birds in the ocean. Those who, in fact, live in the ocean. When they see a yacht, they want to sit on the mast or deck to rest (some of them are in continuous flight for many months). If you allow this, the birds are guaranteed to shit on everything they can, including the anchor fire, which is located at the very top of the mast, after which you will have to climb there and wash it from shit.

87. After Russia took Crimea, no European insurance company insures yachts owned by Russians. There are three ways out: do not insure, get a residence permit / permanent residence anywhere other than Russia, or register a yacht in a legal entity of any country other than Russia.

88.A border patrol arrives at one of the anchorages of the island of Guadeloupe every day from 1 pm to 2 pm, goes on its boat around the yachts and checks passports for visas. The fact is that, despite belonging to France, to enter Guadeloupe, you need a French island visa. Moreover, not only Russians, but citizens of many states need it. The penalty for not having this visa is insane. Therefore, all the intruders (including us) every day at 12:30 got into their boats and sailed ashore, from where we were looking at the confused actions of the Guadalupean patrol.

89. If you are dreaming of your own yacht or just want to ask the price, then some of the most interesting places in terms of prices and range are Sweden and Norway. There are a lot of boats on sale, and the prices are very attractive. In the case of Sweden, until recently there were a lot of excellent local shipyards there, and the boats they built will be valued for a very long time due to their high quality and reliability. Norway is a different story. Norway, as you know, is NOT a member of the European Union. And therefore, the yachts registered there are not cleared for EU customs. What does this mean? It means that the Europeans-neighbors (Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Poland and Germany) will never go to buy a second-hand yacht in Norway, as they will have to clear it at home.

90. In most countries, a skipper’s blood alcohol level should not exceed that of a car driver. For example, in the UK — 0.8 ppm — about 150 grams of vodka for an average man weighing 80kg.

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Yacht facts for kids

Karma-Leon-Smiths-Yacht

A yacht is a type of boat which is mainly used for recreation. It usually has a cabin , so it does not need to return to the harbour overnight. Originally, yachts were sailing-boats , but now there are also motor yachts. The name comes from the Dutch word jachtschip , which originally meant hunting-boat or fast boat . Yachts have a fixed keel .

Yacht-Samar

A yacht can vary in size from about 20 feet (6 metres) to 200 feet (60 metres) or more.

Most privately owned yachts fall in the range of about 7 metres (23 ft)-14 metres (46 ft); the cost of building and keeping a yacht rises quickly as length increases. In the United States, sailors tend to refer to smaller yachts as sailboats , while referring to the general sport of sailing as yachting. In sailboat racing, a yacht is any sailing vessel taking part in a race.

Images for kids

Windcrest in Bar Harbor Maine--Port side-close-hauled

The superyacht Azzam , the largest private yacht by length, as of 2018.

Jacob van Strij - Het Jacht van de kamer Rotterdam

An 18th-century Dutch jacht

America's Cup Racing, 1893-Fred S. Cozzens-IMG 5974

1893 America's Cup match between Vigilant and Valkyrie II

WIlliam L. Harkness Steam Yacht Gunilda - sunk in the great lakes

Steam yacht, Gunilda , ca. 1910

2013 Ahmanson Cup Regatta yacht Zapata II b photo D Ramey Logan

Cruising yacht, Zapata II , in 2013

J46 MainCabin

Sailing yacht interior with fold-down table in main salon, galley (kitchen) on left, and navigation station on right and forward cabin visible beyond.

Taransay Wheelhouse

Wheelhouse of motor yacht, Taransay , in 2015 with navigation and systems displays

Hunter 25 September Song 0878

Small sailing yacht with outboard motor in 2017

Catamaran de croisière Lagoon 560

Cruising catamaran in 2012

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11 facts about ships and boats that might surprise you

  • 11 facts about ships and boats that might surprise you
  • < Fun facts

By Jana Brnáková February 7, 2020

By Jana Brnáková | February 7, 2020

Last update: March 26, 2021

Some are perhaps just old folks’ tales but the stories of most will definitely surprise you. There’s no denying that the vast waters of the world guard more than just one secret…

#1 my revenge.

A 14th-century French noblewoman became a privateer (a private person or a ship engaging in naval warfare) to avenge her late husband’s death. 

When her husband was executed for treason by the French king, Jeanne de Clisson , also known as de Belleville or the Lioness of Brittany , patrolled the English Channel to target French ships, often killing their crew. She continued her pirate endeavors for 13 years, leaving only a few people to bear witness to her killings. 

She became part of the Black Fleet and outfitted three ships which were painted black with red sails. The flagship was named My Revenge.

#2 Good luck vs bad luck superstitions

Cats on a ship bring good luck

Spending weeks or months on a ship, stories and superstitions are an inherent part of the life of a sailor.

To name just a few, whistling is considered bad luck as it can bring about strong winds. In fact, the only person allowed to whistle on a ship is the cook as it means he is not eating the food.

Bananas might turn a boat’s luck ill, too. Especially when it comes to fishing boats as it is believed that if bananas are aboard, the fish won’t bite and there might be even mechanical mishaps. As soon as the hidden bananas are discovered and removed, the boat’s luck turns around.

On the other hand, cats bring good luck. British and Irish sailors would often adopt a black cat, which might sound counterintuitive as in some cultures a black cat is considered an evil omen. However, there is some logic to it as cats hunt down and get rid of rodents, who usually live on ships and might chew on ropes or eat food. This practice was even adopted by Vikings in Northern Germany between the 8th and 11th centuries.

#3 Not enough semaphore flags

#TrafalgarDay HMS Victory signals: England expects that every man will do his duty. https://t.co/QDfNHUUuqx pic.twitter.com/gwLXXtGUeG — Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) October 21, 2018

At the beginning of the Battle of Trafalgar during the Napoleonic Wars, Admiral Lord Nelson made a now-famous call to arms to all his men, through semaphore flags.

The whole message read “ England expects that every man will do his duty” although the last word “duty” was not the original which Nelson himself wanted. Initially, he had written down “do his best”, but because of a lack of flags, they had to use “duty” instead.

Need to use the toilet on a ship? Ask for the heads instead. The name comes from the times when regular sailors went to the ship’s front — also called head or a bow — to relieve themselves. The toilets would be regularly washed out by the normal wave action. 

Only the captain enjoyed his own private facility near his quarters.

The device used to measure boat speed to this day is still called the “log” even though it has nothing to do with an actual log these days — flickr

The measurement that ships (and planes ) use for navigation is the nautical mile. One nautical mile per hour is called a “knot”.

The origin of the word “knot” comes from the olden days when the speed on the ships would be measured by throwing into the sea a log attached to a rope with evenly spaced knots. As the ship moved relative to the log, the number of knots during a certain period of time would be counted to measure the speed of the vessel.

The device used to measure boat speed to this day is still called the “log” even though it has nothing to do with an actual log these days.

#6 Lyubov Orlova on the loose

Sea world stories have always been full of abandoned spooky ships — perhaps not dissimilar to Lyubov Orlova who has been on the loose since 2013. 

The Russian ship was commissioned during the times of Yugoslavia and used mainly for expeditions to Antarctica. A few years ago, it broke loose from a tugboat during a storm and has been drifting across the North Atlantic ever since. Some people believe the ship is taken over by cannibalistic rats… but be it either way, the dark and quiet vessel roaming around in the international waters has been labeled as dangerous by some.

#7 “Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey”

Cannonballs were kept on a square brass tray called a “monkey” — Shutterstock

The phrase, “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey” comes from the times of old warships. 

The “balls” refer to cannonballs that were made of iron. They were kept on a square brass tray called a “monkey”. In very cold weather, the brass would contract in size, so a square pyramid of cannonballs that was made on it would literally fall off. The reason they were kept on brass was the fact that iron rusts very fast, and it wouldn’t be a good idea to have your cannonballs rusting into the thing they were lying on.

#8 Quarantine

The noun quarantine comes from Italian quaranta giorni or forty days. It comes from the Venetian policy of quarantining ships from plague-stricken places for 40 days, ensuring no one infected is on board.

From the 17th century onwards, the term was extended to “any period of forced isolation”.

#9 Swedish Vasa

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Vasamuseet / The Vasa Museum (@vasamuseet) on Oct 18, 2020 at 4:16am PDT

She was salvaged of most of her valuables and left in what is now a busy lane just outside of Stockholm harbor until the late 1950s. Since 1988 it has been placed in the Vasa museum in Stockholm .

#10 The tale of Hugh Williams

We might never find out whether the tale of unsinkable Hugh Williams is true or not at all. 

In 1664, a ship sank in the Menai Strait just off the coast of Wales . But one of the 81 passengers survived: Hugh Williams. More than a hundred years later, in 1785, another ship sank in the Menai Strait and, again, from the 60 passengers aboard, only one survived — Hugh Williams. To add more mystery to the tale, the year 1820 marked the third instance of sinking in the Strait, with the only survivor being Hugh Williams.

#11 Youngest person to sail around the world 

The 14-year-old Laura Dekker set out in 2012 to sail solo around the world. 518 days later, she arrived in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten in a 12.4-meter two-masted ketch called Guppy. At the age of 16, she became the youngest person in the world to solo circumnavigate the world.

Did you enjoy reading this article? Next you can try White Shark Café and other surprising facts about world’s oceans or browse Kiwi.com Stories for more articles.

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fun facts about the yacht

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fun facts about the yacht

Boating Stats & Numbers: 137 Interesting Facts (Explained)

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Everyone has their own opinions about boats and boating, but what do the numbers say?

Here are 137 facts you should know about boating:

Table of Contents

fun facts about the yacht

Each year, the US Coast Guard reports boating accident data.

The numbers below are from the year 2018.

Accidents and Collisions:

1. There were 1,028 reported collisions with recreational vessels.  Within these collisions, 40 deaths were reported, and 661 injuries were reported.

2. There were 470 boat collisions with fixed objects.  Within these collisions, 62 deaths were reported, and 296 injuries were reported.

3. A total of 443 vessels were reported to have been swamped.  This resulted in 68 fatalities and 97 injuries.

4. A total of 367 boats were reported to have been grounded.  This caused 16 deaths and 236 injuries.

5. A total of 274 people were reported to have fallen overboard.  This resulted in 159 deaths and 120 injuries.

6. 311 fatalities and 1,277 injuries were reported on motorboats.

7.  42 fatalities and 634 injuries were reported on personal watercraft.

8. 128 fatalities and 120 injuries were reported on canoes and kayaks.

9. 33 deaths and 193 injuries were reported on motorboats with cabins.

10. 35 deaths and 129 injuries were reported on pontoon boats. See more Pontoon boat statistics here .

11.  449 boating deaths involved drowning.

12.  97 boating deaths involved trauma.

13. 16 boating deaths involved a cardiac arrest.

14. 14 boating deaths involved hypothermia.

15. 8 boating deaths involved carbon monoxide poisoning.

16. Operator inattention is said to have caused 654 boating accidents.  Within these accidents, 50 resulted in death, and 437 resulted in injuries.

17. Improper lookout is said to have caused 440 boating accidents.  Within these accidents, 27 resulted in death, and 316 resulted in injuries.

18. Operator inexperience is said to have caused 387 accidents.  Within these accidents, 40 resulted in death, and 213 resulted in injuries.

19. Machinery failure resulted in 321 boating accidents.  Within these accidents, 9 resulted in death, and 86 resulted in injuries.

20. Excessive speed was said to have caused 276 boating accidents.  Within these accidents, 25 resulted in death, and 231 resulted in injuries.

21. Alcohol use is said to have been the cause of 254 boating accidents.  Within these accidents, 101 resulted in death, and 204 resulted in injuries.

22. The force of a wake is said to have caused 209 boating accidents.  Of these accidents, 10 resulted in death, and 153 resulted in injuries.

23. Foul weather caused 205 boating accidents.  Of these accidents, 40 resulted in death, and 96 resulted in injuries.

24. Violations of the rules of navigation caused 184 boating accidents.  Of these accidents, 19 resulted in death, and 144 resulted in injuries.

25. Hazardous waters caused 169 boating accidents.  Of these accidents, 61 resulted in death, and 70 resulted in injuries.

26. The total boating fatality rate is 5.3 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vehicles.

27.  Boating accidents caused $46 million dollars of property damage.

28.  77% of boating fatalities are the result of drowning.

29.  Of the people who died from drowning, 84% of them were not wearing life jackets.

30. Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.  It has lead to 19% of the fatalities involved in boating accidents.

31.  Half of all boating accident fatalities involve an open motorboat.

32.  A person with a nationally approved boating safety education certificate is 82% less likely to be involved in a fatal boating accident.

33. 13.5% of boating fatalities occur on a kayak.

34. 7% of boating fatalities occur on a canoe.

35.  Over 25% of fatal boating accidents occur between 2:31 AM and 4:30 AM.

36.  175 machinery and equipment failure accidents were the result of engine failure.  Of those accidents, 8 resulted in death, and 46 resulted in injury.

37.  2,313 accidents occurred while the vessel was cruising.  Of these accidents, 182 resulted in death, and 1,261 resulted in injury.

38. 605 accidents occurred while the vessel was tied to a dock.  Of these accidents, 9 resulted in death, and 37 resulted in injury.

39.  163 accidents occurred while the vessel was attempting to dock or undock.  Of these accidents, 7 resulted in death, and 34 resulted in injury.

40.  211 accidents occurred while the vessel was at anchor.  Of these accidents, 27 resulted in death, and 71 resulted in injury.

41. 1,903 accidents occurred in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, dams, or gravel pits.  Of these accidents, 299 resulted in death, and 1,277 resulted in injury.

42. 966 accidents occurred in rivers, streams, creeks, swamps, or bayous.  Of these accidents, 204 resulted in death, and 592 resulted in injury.

43. 829 accidents occurred in bays, inlets, marinas, sounds, harbors, channels, canals, sloughs, or coves.  Of these accidents, 78 resulted in death, and 428 resulted in injury.

44.  347 accidents occurred in the ocean or the gulf.  Of these accidents, 22 resulted in death, and 42 resulted in injury.

45.  The month of July is the month of the year when the highest number of accidents were reported.  It had almost twice as many accidents and fatalities as the second-highest month, which was June.

46.  The month of January had the fewest boating accidents.  Only 81 accidents were reported in January compared to 1,016 in July.

47.  Most boating accidents occur on Saturday and Sunday.

48.  The fewest number of boat accidents occur on Thursday.

49.  Boats built prior to 2005 were more likely to be involved in an accident when compared to newer boats.

50.  Boats between 15′ and 26′ were more likely to be involved in an accident.

These are sobering statistics, but they’re also useful.

With this information, we can conclude that boaters can dramatically reduce their chances of getting in a fatal boating accident simply by abstaining from alcohol and wearing a life jacket.

More Details on Safe Boating

As you can see by the numbers, boating is a safe activity, and you’re unlikely to become injured or die while doing so.

However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t risks involved in boating.

The people who have lost their loved ones in boating accidents take little solace in the fact that it doesn’t happen very often. Fortunately, the statistics above can help you to reduce your chances of becoming involved in a deadly boating accident.

As we mentioned earlier, wearing your life jacket and abstaining from alcohol will go a long way towards keeping you safe while boating.  However, there are other steps you can take to increase your safety as well.

For starters, think about getting a nationally approved boating safety certificate.  The education you’ll get while studying for the certificate will help you learn what you need to stay safe while operating a boat.

Also, carefully consider who you choose to be a lookout for you while boating.  Many boating fatalities are caused due to the lookout being inexperienced or inattentive.

Consider the timing of your boat trip as well.  Boating on a Thursday is much riskier than boating on a Saturday or Sunday.  It’s also less crowded, so you’ll get to spend less time at the dock and more time on the water.

US Boat Sales and Registration Statistics

1.  There were 11,852,969 recreational vessels registered in the year 2018.

2.  Retail expenditures in the boating industry account for 42 billion dollars a year.

3. In 2019, 280,000 new boats were sold in the United States.

4.  Wake sport boats experienced a 6% increase in sales in 2019 versus 2018.

5.  Freshwater fishing boats are the most popular boats in the United States.

6.  The sale of new freshwater fishing boats was down 7% in 2019 versus 2018.

7.  Florida sells more boats than any other state in the US.

8. 975,000 pre-owned boats were sold in 2019.

9.  62% of boat owners have an income that is lower than $100,000.00 a year.

10.  Recreational boaters spend more money annually than any other recreational outdoor industry.

11.  Hawaii is ranked last in registered boat ownership.  This is both in terms of absolute numbers and per capita numbers.

12.  12.16% of 18-29-year-olds went boating in 2018.

13. 12.51% of 30-49-year-olds went boating in 2018.

14. 9.14% of 50-64-year-olds went boating in 2018.

15.  Florida has more boating accidents than any other state.

16. It costs between $50 to $200 a foot to store a boat inside. (per season)

17. It costs between $20 to $50 a foot to store a boat outside . (per season)

18.  35,519 people are employed by US marinas.

19. There are about 11,500 marinas in the US.

20. The boat marina market is said to be worth about $5 billion dollars.

21.  Florida’s boating industry brings in about $23.3 billion a year.

22.  California’s boating industry brings in about $13 billion a year.

23. New York’s boating industry brings in about 8.4 billion a year.

24. The boating industry in the state of Texas brings in $7.7 billion a year.

25. Michigan’s boating industry brings in about $7.4 billion a year.

26. Washington’s boating industry brings in about $6.9 billion a year.

27. New Jersey’s boating industry brings in about $6.6 billion a year.

28. Tennessee’s boating industry brings in about $6 billion a year.

29. North Carolina’s boating industry brings in about $5.5 billion a year.

30. Missouri’s boating industry brings in about $4.5 billion a year.

31.  95% of the boats sold in the United States are made in the United States.

32. US boat exports go mostly to Canada, Mexico, and South America.

33. Boat shows often account for over half of boat dealer sales.

34. Recessions hurt the boating industry much harder than most other industries.

35.  Economic booms help the boating industry more than they help most other industries.

36. Most boats in the US are towable and have lengths that are shorter than 26 feet.

A Deeper Look at These Numbers

With so many rivers, lakes, and miles of coastline, it should come as no surprise that the US has a large and flourishing boat industry.

It also shouldn’t come as a surprise that Florida is the top boat seller in the United States. Florida has many miles of coastline and easy access to both US and foreign markets.

In contrast, only 1 in 93 people in Hawaii own a registered watercraft compared to 1 in 25 on average in the United States.

After doing some research, I found that it is hard for boat owners to find places to store their boats.  For this reason, owning a boat is cost-prohibitive, and most Hawaiians simply opt not to own one.

US Boat Sales and Taxes

1. Delaware and Rhode Island do not charge a sales tax on boats.

2. New York only charges sales tax on boats for the first $230,000.00.

3. North Carolina caps its sales tax at $1,500.00.

4. If you buy a boat in Delaware or Rhode Island, your state may charge you a use tax when you bring it home.

5. Some states charge a personal property tax on your boat each, and every year you own it.

6.  Some states allow you to deduct the mortgage interest on your boat from your taxes.

7.  Some boats are considered a business expense.

Dissecting the Numbers

Doing research first could save you a lot of money on boat ownership.

This is especially true in the United States, where tax laws can be vastly different within the same country. However, this doesn’t mean it is any easier to buy a boat in another country. 

Many countries have their own VAT taxes, and there are often import and export taxes to deal with.

World Wide Boating Stats

1. Belgium had 28,022 registered boats in 2014.  This number was almost 25% higher than it was in 2007.

2. Brazil has over 560 marinas and 4,660 miles of coastline.

3. Canadian boat sales amounted to about 2.3 billion CAD in 2016.

4. Canadian preowned boat sales were at 63,505 boats in 2016.

5. 50,731 boats were exported to the Caribbean in 2016.

6. The Chinese government is promoting boating as a leisure activity for its people.

7. China is said to have about 19,000 yachts and 149 yacht clubs.

8. Columbia has a registry of 7,336 boats and 26 marine docks and marinas in the Caribbean Sea.

9. The Croatian boat market is said to be about $150 million annually.

10. Croatia has 139 nautical ports.

11. The Czech Republic has 16,800 registered boats

12. People in the Czech Republic spend about $83 million dollars on boating each year.

13. There are said to be over 57,000 leisure boats in Denmark’s harbors.

14. In 2016 Finland was the home of 1.16 million leisure boats.  554,000 of these were motorboats, 419,000 were rowing boats, and 16,200 were sailing vessels.

15. About 1.8 million Germans own German boat licenses.

16.  Italy is the second-largest boat producer in the world – second only to the United States.

17.  Italy is said to have over a half a million boats within its country of only 61 million people.

18.  The Republic of Korea issues 15,059 boat licenses in 2015.

19. The number of newly registered boats in Korea was 4,029.  This was 3 times higher than the number of registered boats in 2011.

20. Mexico has 172,265 registered boats.

21.  The Netherlands currently has 507,800 boats.

22.  At least 25% of Norway’s population has regular access to a boat.

23.  Over half of the population of Norway uses a boat each year.

24.  In the last 40 years, over a million sailing patents were issued in Poland.

25.  Poland has about 27,000 registered boats.

26. More than 60% of recreational vessels exported from the European Union were made in the country of Poland.

27.  Spain has over 8,000 registered boats.

28.  14% of Swedish citizens own at least one boat.

29. There were 16,550 boats sold in Sweden in 2015.

30. There are about 822,000 boats in Sweden.

31.  Taiwan produces more yachts than any other country in Asia.

32.  Around 2.5 million Australians live in a household that owns a boat.

33.  The global market for leisure boats is likely to reach $51.37 billion US dollars by 2025.

34.  The global rental market for boats is projected to be about $26 billion US dollars.

A Deeper Look at These Stats

It seems that whether a country boats or not is often more closely linked to the strength of their economy and the history of their boating culture.

Many states with vast coastlines do not seem to have many boats while other countries with smaller boating opportunities, but bigger pockets seem to have large numbers of boaters.

Of course, some of these statistics could also be skewed based on the accuracy and reporting of their boating data.  For example, some countries may have low compliance when it comes to registering boats.

Interesting Boat Facts and Statistics

3. The most expensive yacht ever built cost $1.5 billion to build.

4. The longest superyacht in the world is 590 feet long.

5. There are currently more than 10,000 mega yachts in the world.

6. The most popular boat name in the United States in 2019 was “Aquaholic.”

7. The most popular boat name in 2018 in the United States was the name “Grace.”

8. Depictions of sailboats go back as far as 5500 BC.

9.  Archeological evidence suggests that ships were used over 120,000 years ago.

10. The USS Enterprise was the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Final Thoughts

I hope you found these boat statistics and facts useful.

Whether you’re looking to join the boating industry or just looking to go boating, these numbers should prove useful to you.

Have fun, stay safe, and we’ll see you on the water.

USCGBoating.org

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statista.com

HistoryofShips.net

PRNewsWire.com

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Boating Magazine Logo

Top 101 Boating Facts and Factoids

  • By Boating Staff
  • Updated: October 16, 2006

There’s a lot to know in this sport we call boating. Too much, in fact. Which is good, as it keeps us interested and constantly learning. And it’s also bad, as there’s always something you should have known and only figured out later-usually, when it was too late. So class, here’s this semester’s lessons. Read on. Then take notes, and highlight the good parts. You never know when life will throw you a pop quiz.

Here’s the Pitch

An engine should run within its recommended rpm operating range at wide open throttle. If it revs below the range, less prop pitch is called for. If it’s above the range, more pitch is required. Props are described by diameter first, then pitch. Thus a 14½” x 19″ prop has a diameter of 14½” and a pitch of 19″.

Pecking Order

Whichever type of vessel is higher on this list has the right of way over those below it.

• Vessel not under command

• Vessels restricted in maneuverability

• Vessels engaged in fishing

• Sailboats

• Powerboats

Speed Freak

Hull speed for a displacement boat can be computed using the following formula:

V = the square root of LWL x 1.34

V = velocity in knots

LWL = waterline length

Left, Right, Left, Right

A single-engine boat with a right-handed prop backs to port.

With a left-handed propeller, the boat backs to starboard.

Do Not Pass Go

When two boats under power are about to meet head-on, neither has the right-of-way. Both vessels must make a noticeable course alteration to starboard after giving the proper signal of one short blast. When two vessels under power are crossing, the boat that has the other to starboard is the give-way vessel and must avoid the other by passing astern. The privileged vessel should maintain course and speed.

When visibility is restricted, hold to a speed that allows you to stop in no more than half of the distance of your visibility.

Down a Lazy River

A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel on the Great Lakes or in western rivers and proceeding downstream with a following current, has the right-of-way over an upbound vessel.

Twice as Nice

If you have two similar lines and the second is twice as thick as the first, the second line will be four times stronger than the first.

Found Horizons

Distance to your radar’s horizon in nautical miles can be estimated with the following formula: 1.23 x the square root of H = Distance H = the height of the radome in feet

Near or Far

To determine the distance to any object, use the following formula:

D + 1.17 x the square root of H = Distance

D = distance to the horizon in nautical miles (see above)

H = eye height above sea level in feet

Use this formula twice. Once to calculate the distance to the geographic horizon, and once to calculate the object’s distance off. Add the two to get the total distance off for the object.

A tall person (6’2″ and up) generally requires 3’2″ of sitting headroom. A person of average height (5’8″) needs 2’11”.

Who Needs NOAA?

Often, you can see the approach of a front or squall on radar, usually with the unit set on the 6- or 12-mile range.

Tide is highest at the full new moon.

‘Tis Hurricane Season

June, too soon;

July, stand by;

August, look out!

September, you will remember.

October, all over.

Weather Sayings:

Red sky at night, sailors delight.

Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.

When a halo rings the moon or sun,

rain will come upon the run.

Mackerel skies and mares’ tails,

make tall ships carry low sails.

(Cirrus clouds, which resemble mackerels and the wisps of a horse’s tail, indicate approaching storms.)

The American Cancer Society recommends using a sunblock with on SPF of 15. Recent studies have shown that the advantages of increasing SPF above 15 may not increase the effectiveness correspondingly.

Send a Wire

When fishing, to calculate the depth to which solid wire line sinks while trolling, count 1′ of depth for every 10′ of line. So when trolling, say, 150′ of wire line, your lure will be working around 15′ (deeper if you use a trolling weight).

To replace an IGFA world record for a fish weighing less than 25 pounds, the replacement weight must be at least 2 ounces more than the existing record. To replace an IGFA record for a fish weighing 25 pounds or more, the replacement weight must be at least 1/2 of 1 percent more than the existing record.

Listen Hear?

You’re not required to have your radio on. But when it is, the law says you must listen to Channel 16 or, for recreational boats, Channel 9.

Winds coming out of the south or east-tides will be stronger and later than expected. Winds coming out of the north or west-tides will be diminished and earlier than expected.

At one knot, a boat will travel approximately 1.7′ each second.

To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 then multiply by .555. To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 then add 32.

What? No 911?

Radio distress signals:

MAYDAY Vessel is threatened by grave and/or imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. PAN-PAN Indicates caller has an urgent message regarding safety of a person or vessel. SECURITÉ (“se-cur-itay”) Indicates caller is about to transmit information concerning safety to navigation or give an important meteorological warning.

A Current Affair Selecting Wire Gauge

Current Length of wire (in feet)
(in amps)
10 or less 15 20 30 40 50
5 14 gauge 12 10 10 8 6
10 10 10 8 6 6 4
15 10 8 6 6 4 2
20 8 6 4 4 2 2
25 6 6 4 2 2 1

Ski-Daddle Hand Signals for Waterskiers

** **Faster: Palm of one hand up Slower: Palm of one hand down Speed okay: Arm up; thumb and forefinger form a circle Right turn: Arm out pointing right Left turn: Arm out pointing left Return to drop-off area: Arm pointing down at a 45-degree angle and swinging Cut motor: Finger drawn across the throat Stop: Hand up, palm forward, like a police officer Skier okay after fall: Hands clenched overhead Pick me up or fallen skier: One ski pointing vertically out of the water ** **

Navy Signal Corps Two-Letter Flag Signals

A C I am abandoning vessel
I T I am on fire
A N I need a doctor
J F I am in distress and need immediate assistance
A Q I have an injured person who needs to be taken off immediately
J G I am aground and in danger
C B I require immediate assistance
J L You are at risk of running aground
C J Do you require assistance?
J W I have sprung a leak
C N I am unable to give assistance
K F I require a tug
C P I am coming to your assistance
K N I cannot take you in tow
D V I am drifting
N C International Distress
D X I am sinking
N E Proceed with great caution
G W Man overboard
N F You are running into danger
I M I request to be escorted until further notice
N G You are in a dangerous position

Hold On! Choosing a Working Anchor

LOA (feet) Danforth Danforth Hi-Tensile Plow Fortress
10 4-S 5-H P-700 G5
15 8-S 5-H P-700 FX7
20 8-S 5-H P-700 FX7
25 13-S 5-H P-1000 FX11
30 13-S 12-H P-1000 FX11
35 22-S 12-H P-1500 FX16
40 22-S 20-H P-1800 FX23
50 40-S 35-H FX37
60 65-S 35-H FX85

Channel Markers VHF Channels

CHANNEL USAGE
16 Hailing and distress
09 Ship-to-ship and ship-to-coast (when contacting marinas, for example)
68 Same as Channel 9 except it’s also used for commercial ship-to-ship
06 Ship-to-ship communication for safety only
22A If you call the Coast Guard and your situation isn’t life threatening, you’ll be switched to this channel
21A, 83 Coast Guard-to-Coast Guard only
13 Navigational (bridges, locks, and so on)
70 Reserved for digital selective calling
12 Port operations
25, 26, 27, 28 Public telephone-link up with a land-based marine operator
69, 71, 72 Ship-to-ship communication
WX-1, WX-2, WX-3, WX-4 Weather broadcasts

Seven signs that fish are probably nearby

1. A distinct smell like cucumber or cantaloupe often means that fish have been foraging for bait in the vicinity. The smell comes from oils in the chewed-up fish as it floats to the surface.

2. Smooth, thin surface slicks may indicate fish feeding below. The slicks are also caused by fish oils.

3. If birds are working the surface, something is or was there.

4. A sudden eruption of white over a large area says fish are feeding.

5. What appears as a dark stick might in fact be a marlin bill. Dark shapes may be fins. Shadows could be the entire fish.

6. Surface rips where you can see the color of water change or where currents come together churning the surface often cause bait fish to panic. Bigger fish know this and come to eat.

7. Weedlines, driftwood, and buoys are offshore structures that offer small fish protection in open water. If small fish are present, big fish will not be far behind.

Torque About It

To determine the torque of an engine at WOT, use this formula: horsepower x 5.252 __________________ =Torque rpm

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151 Facts About The History Of Boats That Will Amaze You

Archaeological evidence proves the use of boats in the prehistoric period before 900,000 years. Learn more about the history of boats here!

Boats have been used by humankind for several thousand years.

The earliest boats were mere logs or rafts made of reeds. Today, we use boats of various kinds, such as motorized boats, paddle boats, boats with oars, among many others.

These days, you may find boats in innumerable styles and sizes. From travel to fishing, sports to recreation, boats have been used by people for various reasons too!

Boats are much smaller sailing vessels than ships. While ships are meant for cargo and passenger movement in the seas and oceans, boats are primarily used for fishing and inland water transportation.

The size and material of construction of a boat differ according to the purpose for which it is intended to be used. Wood, fiberglass, and aluminum are some of the materials used in building boats.

Well! If you are curious to know more about the boat's journey in the past, continue reading for fascinating information on boats.

If you enjoy reading this article, you will surely enjoy our other articles on the history of cars and the history of glow sticks . Don't miss reading these!

Fun Facts About Boats

Have you ever been on a boat? Smaller boats such as canoes, rafts, or sailboats are designed for inland water bodies like rivers, lakes, or streams.

However, larger boats or ships, which include military ships, cruise ships, yachts, and cargo ships, are designed for voyages across the oceans and seas. Boating is one of the most fun-filled and enjoyable activities. Not just boating, but the facts about boats can be equally interesting.

The Netherlanders are thought to have built the first boats in the world. The Pesse canoe, a dugout made from the trunk of the scotch pine tree, is the oldest found boat in the world. It was constructed between 8200 BC and 7600 BC. It is on display in the Drents Museum, the Netherlands.

Since ancient times, several myths have existed regarding boats. Early sailors believed in several superstitions and luck to guide them through their travels. For instance, seeing sea birds was considered a good omen.

Sailors also believed that finding cats on a boat brought good fortune. Sailors practice spitting into the sea before sailing to bring good luck. Tattooing images of a compass rose is thought to bring good luck to sailors.

Carrying bananas on the boat is believed to bring bad luck to fishing boats. Whistling is thought to bring strong winds and rough weather. Traveling with women and red-haired people is also considered to bring bad omens.

These beliefs may sound silly, but many of these myths and omens continue among sailors even today.

In some places, houseboats are used to attract tourists. The houseboats have all the facilities similar to a house on land. Most boats are not motorized but moored to remain stationary all year long.

The Austronesian people from Taiwan were those who developed the first sailing ships that sailed on the sea. Outriggers, catamarans, and craw claw sails were a few of their inventions that have sailed far across the oceans.

Initially, boat propulsion was done by manual means, including paddling, rowing, or setting poles. Some boats sailed with the wind as a natural propellor. As we progressed, we developed advanced mechanical engines. For example, punts were boats propelled by poles. Other human-powered boats are kayaks, canoes, and gondolas. 

Boats have been a vital element in trade and commerce. In the past, archaeological evidence suggests the use of boats as trade vessels between the Indus Valley Civilization and Mesopotamia.

The Uru, the traditional sailing vessel made of teak wood in Kerala, southwestern India, has been used since ancient times. The Arabs and Greeks of ancient times used uruses as trading vessels. Urus had a transport capacity of about 440 US tons ( 399 met ton)

Power vessels or sailing boats with good aesthetic qualities used for cruising, pleasure, or racing, which are at least 33 ft (10 m) long, are called yachts. 

The Dutch invented the first yacht in the 14th century. Initially, the boats were used to chase out pirates and smugglers. However, later, these small boats sailed out to celebrate their merchant ships' return.

The world's largest ship today is the Symphony of the Seas. It is 1,184 ft (361 m) long, 216 ft (65.7 m) wide, has a gross tonnage of 228,081, and has a passenger capacity of up to 6,680 people.

History Of Boats-Timeline

Humans have been using boats since the prehistoric era. Yet, studies suggest that the first boats worthy of sail were most likely to have been built much earlier in time, around 800,000 years ago. Surprisingly, these boats were not built by humans but by their ancestors, the Homo Erectus - the upright primitive man.

However, John Fitch, an American inventor, takes credit for inventing the first steamboat. From boats made of logs and reeds to advanced large ships, yachts, and cruise liners, the journey of boats in history has been incredible. Let us look into the timeline that highlights some of the significant milestones in ship and boat building.

Several millennia ago, people created rafts using logs and the bark of trees and used them to sail through water. They used animal hides to cover the frames of the boats. Later, they used tree trunks, hollowed them out, and made dugouts.

Around 4,000 BC, the ancient Egyptians made the first sailing boats by tying up reeds together to sail through the Nile river. They used the papyrus reeds, which grew widely along the river and its delta region. This was called the skiff. Today, the Egyptian boat is called the felucca.

By 2500 BC, wooden boats were made by the Egyptians, who enabled them to sail across the seas and oceans.

Around 1550 BC, the Canaan civilization in Syria and Lebanon used the galley, a ship propelled by oars.

By 1000 AD, the longships of the Vikings became the epitome of the naval power of Scandinavia. Viking longships were marine vessels from Ireland and Scandinavia used for warfare, exploration, trade, and commerce. The long and narrow designs of these ships enabled them to sail in the open sea and on rivers.

Around the second century AD, the Chinese came up with their own sailing ships, called junk. The junks had up to five masts, projecting bows, and were designed with watertight compartments and steering rudders. The Chinese junks were used in warfare and transportation.

Since the 1450s wooden ships, with up to four masts, came into service and were used by travelers and explorers of several countries. They were also used as trade vessels and for warfare.

By the 1800s, British and American shipyards constructed merchant vessels called ' clipper ships ' for cargo and passengers. These ships were known for their speed.

In 1818, shipping companies also used steam power in ships along with wind power. The first steamship navigated across the Atlantic Ocean. 

In the 1850s, Glasgow's John Elder invented the marine compound engine.

The mid of the 19th century also saw the introduction of ocean liners into the shipping industry.

Later by the end of the century, riverboats with paddle wheels on either side, called paddle steamers, became the primary mode of transport on rivers.

In 1910, there was a change in the fuel used in ships. Diesel power replaced coal, and oil was used in place of steam.

In 1980, cargo transportation saw a significant change with the use of container ships to move cargo. Cargo ships can carry as many as one thousand containers stacked on deck at a time.

By the end of the 20th century, in the '90s, passenger cruise ships were widely used for holidaying. The cruise ships had state-of-the-art facilities, including restaurants, pools, and other recreational activities.

Materials Used To Make Boats

Boats are used for several purposes. Depending on the intended purpose, they differ in style, size, and construction material.

From prehistoric times till today, boats and ships have been built using a wide range of materials. With advancements in technology and intellect, we employ new materials in boat and ship-building. These materials are subject to their availability and local traditions.

Prehistoric boats or rafts required only primitive cutting tools. Materials such as wooden logs, bamboo, or reeds were tied together using palm fibers or vines.

Later, when civilizations developed, natural materials continued to be used in building boats. Most boats were made of things available in the wild—primarily wood and other materials such as animal skins, barks of trees, and reeds.

Until the mid of the 19th century, early boats included reed boats, canoes made of birch tree bark, kayaks made of animal hide, dugout canoes, and coracles made of logs.

Later, many boats were built using steel frames or iron, along with wooden planks. Due to the reduced cost of steel, steel ships and boats have gradually begun to be widely used. Soon, steel boats replaced wooden boats in fishing fleets and industrial boats.

Around the '20s, pleasure boats and recreational boats made of galvanized iron and aluminum became widely used. Later, in the mid of the 20th century, fiberglass boats became popular. These boats are strong and corrosion-resistant. However, they can have structural degradation because of sunlight and temperature variations. Foam is also used as a layer between wood and fiberglass.

In 1955, Christopher Cockerell developed hovercraft boats that were designed to stay afloat on cushions. The engines provided propulsion to the boat by blowing air into these cushions, besides giving them a lift.

Today, people have gotten creative with innovative ideas for making boats; rafts made of hundreds of plastic bottles and Styrofoam are examples.

Uses Of Boats In Ancient Times

Boats played a significant role in the lives of ancient people. Boats are used for many purposes these days. From exploration to recreation, transportation to holidaying, boats and ships are used in several spheres.

However, ancient times were different. It is believed that boats were probably an accidental invention by the Homo Erectus, our human ancestors. What did they use boats for?

Prehistoric rafts were used mainly for fishing needs.

Over a million years ago, they used them for water transportation, long before human beings.

In the ancient days, the most crucial purpose of a boat was to travel through water bodies such as lakes and rivers. Early boats were the chief means of water transport that facilitated trade and contact with distant areas.

Besides, early vessels were used in exploration and warfare too.

Many civilizations used boats in ways specific to them. For instance, the Egyptians used papyrus reed boats to transport royal mummies across the river Nile to their tombs. The early boat carried almost everything-from food grains to coffins across the river.

Kings moved Gods' deities from one temple to another.

Here at Kidadl , we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts   for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 151 facts about the history of boats that will amaze you, then why not take a look at the history of cooking oil or the history of drinking straws? 

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Facts About Boats

If you have ever been on a boat you already know how much fun it is.

Boats have been around for thousands of years and play an important role in our lives.

We depend on these “water-vehicles” for many things.

Read on to discover all about boats.

Boat-facts-1

We will be exploring the history of the boat, the different types of boats and so much more.

So grab your lifejacket and lets dive right in.

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The History of Boats

Believe it or not, the first known boat dates back around 8,000 years ago.

Although boats have been around a long time, the Ancient Egyptians were the first to be credited for it.

They made them from the papyrus plant. These boats were long and thin and were used for short trips or fishing along the Nile.

As time went on, the Egyptians became more knowledgeable about the construction of boats.

In fact, these early people learned how to make many different types of these water-vehicles.

Wooden Boats:  these boats were made from the acacia tree and also from cedar they imported from Lebanon.

The Egyptians then added a sail to make traveling faster and easier.

Cargo Ships: As time went on, they learned how to construct bigger boats. These were so sturdy they could hold 500 tons of rocks!

Funeral Boats : these small model boats were used in funerals.

The boat would be buried with a person to help carry them to the afterlife. Some Pharaohs actually had full-size boats buried with them in their tombs.

Ponder This:  the early Egyptians didn’t have any nails. How did they keep their boats from falling apart? Find the answer in More Freaky Factoids.

fun facts about the yacht

It’s All About the Buoyancy

We know that boats float, but did you ever wonder how it happens?

The science behind this wonder is really quite simple. It’s called, Buoyancy.

Buoyancy is an invisible upward force. This force goes to work when an object is placed in the water (or any liquid).

If the object is very dense (like a stone) then the force cannot hold it up and it sinks.

The object must be less dense than the water.

When people first started making boats, they realized they needed to hollow them out.

This makes them less dense and allows the water to exert enough force to keep it afloat.

Ponder This:  which boat do you think will move faster, a flat-bottom or a v-shaped bottom?

Types of Boats

Since humans learned how to navigate through the water, they began to build many types of boats. Read on to see how many different boats we use today.

  • Cargo ships
  • Cruise ships
  • Motor boats

Ponder This:  a megayacht is a type of luxury boat owned by a person or even a company. These boats can reach tremendous lengths. How long do you think the biggest megayacht is?

fun facts about the yacht

What NOT to Do On a Boat

Since people don’t float all that well, there are some things you should never do on a boat. Check out our safety rules for fun boating.

  • Lean over the side as far as you can. This includes having someone hold onto your ankles so you can touch the water.
  • Use your Nana’s underwear as a sail. She won’t be happy.
  • Spit into the wind as you are zooming along.
  • Yell, “man overboard” while flailing your arms with a shocked look on your face.
  • Don’t yell “shark” either.
  • Do cartwheels
  • Rock back and forth as hard as you can, no matter how much your sister screams. It’s not a carnival ride.

Ponder This:  what is the one thing you should ALWAYS do in a boat?

life-jacket

More Freaky Factoids

We haven’t floated over all the fun just yet. Here are the answers to your ponder these questions and more freaky facts. Check it out.

Boat Facts for Kids

  • The back part of a boat is called, the stern?
  • The front of the boat is a bow?
  • The tall pole on a sailboat is called, the mast?
  • The body of a boat is the hull?
  • The right, forward-facing side of a boat is called starboard?
  • The left side of a boat is the port?
  • The person in charge of the boat is called, Captain?
  • You should always wear a lifejacket in a boat? Even if you are a great swimmer,
  • Lifejacket are specially designed vests will keep you afloat.
  • The Egyptians used short planks in the construction of their early boats? These were hooked together then tied tightly with ropes.
  • A V-shaped bottom boat will move faster than a flat-bottomed? This is because a flat surface has more contact with the water. This creates more drag on the boat, which makes it slow and harder to move.
  • Megayachts can reach lengths of 150 meters long (492 feet)?

Now that you have learned all these fascinating facts, you can float over to your friends and family to share your new-found knowledge.

You might just become known as “the captain of the best boat facts ever.”

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25 Facts About Yacht Racing

Daniela Tremblay

Written by Daniela Tremblay

Published: 02 Aug 2024

  • Sports Facts

25-facts-about-yacht-racing

Yacht racing is an exhilarating sport that combines skill, strategy, and a love for the open sea. But what makes it so captivating? Yacht racing involves navigating a course marked by buoys or other fixed points, often in challenging wind and water conditions. Competitors must master the art of sailing, understanding wind patterns, and making split-second decisions. This sport isn't just about speed ; it's about precision, teamwork, and endurance. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a curious newcomer, these 25 facts will give you a deeper appreciation for the complexities and thrills of yacht racing . Ready to set sail? Let's dive in!

The Thrill of Yacht Racing

Yacht racing is an exhilarating sport that combines skill, strategy, and the power of nature. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a curious newbie, these facts will give you a deeper appreciation for this competitive and thrilling activity.

Ancient Origins : Yacht racing dates back to the 17th century in the Netherlands. Wealthy merchants raced their vessels for sport and bragging rights.

America's Cup : The America's Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy. First awarded in 1851, it remains one of the most prestigious yacht races.

High Speeds : Modern racing yachts can reach speeds of over 30 knots (about 35 mph). Advanced materials and designs make these speeds possible.

Crew Size : A typical racing yacht crew can range from 5 to 30 people. Each member has a specific role, from navigating to handling sails.

Tactics and Strategy : Success in yacht racing isn't just about speed. Skippers must use tactics like tacking and jibing to gain an advantage over competitors.

Types of Yacht Races

Different types of yacht races offer unique challenges and experiences. Here are some of the most popular formats.

Match Racing : In match racing, two yachts compete head-to-head. The America's Cup is a famous example of this format.

Fleet Racing : Fleet racing involves multiple yachts competing simultaneously. The first yacht to cross the finish line wins.

Offshore Racing : Offshore races take place over long distances, often lasting several days. The Volvo Ocean Race is a well-known offshore race.

Inshore Racing : Inshore races occur close to shore and are usually shorter. These races test a crew's ability to handle quick maneuvers.

One-Design Racing : In one-design racing, all yachts are identical. This format emphasizes skill and strategy over technological advantages.

Technology in Yacht Racing

Advancements in technology have revolutionized yacht racing, making it faster and safer. Here are some key innovations.

Carbon Fiber Hulls : Carbon fiber is lightweight yet strong, allowing yachts to be both fast and durable.

Foiling : Foiling technology lifts the yacht above the water, reducing drag and increasing speed. America's Cup yachts often use foils.

Advanced Navigation Systems : Modern yachts use GPS and other advanced systems for precise navigation and strategy planning.

Hydraulic Systems : Hydraulic systems help manage sails and other components more efficiently, reducing the physical strain on the crew.

Weather Forecasting : Accurate weather forecasting tools help skippers make informed decisions about routes and tactics.

Famous Yacht Races

Some yacht races have gained legendary status due to their history, difficulty, or prestige. Here are a few you should know about.

Sydney to Hobart : This annual race covers 630 nautical miles from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania. It's known for its challenging conditions.

Vendée Globe : The Vendée Globe is a solo, non-stop, around-the-world race. It's considered one of the toughest yacht races.

Transpacific Yacht Race : Also known as the Transpac, this race runs from California to Hawaii. It covers over 2,200 nautical miles.

Rolex Fastnet Race : This biennial race starts in England and rounds the Fastnet Rock off Ireland. It's a test of endurance and skill.

Clipper Round the World : This race allows amateur sailors to compete in a global circumnavigation. It's divided into multiple legs, each with its own challenges.

The Human Element

Yacht racing isn't just about boats and technology. The human element plays a crucial role in the sport's excitement and unpredictability.

Teamwork : Effective communication and teamwork are essential for success. Each crew member must perform their role flawlessly.

Physical Fitness : Yacht racing is physically demanding. Crew members need strength, endurance, and agility to handle the rigors of the race.

Mental Toughness : The mental aspect is equally important. Skippers and crew must stay focused and make quick decisions under pressure.

Training and Preparation : Extensive training and preparation go into each race. Crews practice maneuvers, study weather patterns, and fine-tune their strategies.

Passion and Dedication : Many sailors are driven by a deep passion for the sport. Their dedication often involves significant personal and financial sacrifices.

Yacht racing isn't just a sport; it's an adventure on the open water. From the cutting-edge technology of modern yachts to the rich history of legendary races like the America's Cup, there's always something new to learn. The teamwork and strategy involved make it a unique challenge, pushing sailors to their limits. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or just curious, the world of yacht racing offers a mix of excitement and camaraderie . Next time you see those sleek boats slicing through the waves, you'll know a bit more about what makes this sport so captivating. Dive into the stories, the innovations, and the sheer passion that drive yacht racing forward. Who knows? You might even find yourself inspired to set sail and join the race.

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Super yacht facts

12 Sensational Facts about Super Yachts

We’ve all seen the photos of these marine beauties – enormous boats owned or chartered by the mega rich floating on turquoise waters all across the globe! It takes something special to take a simple boat to super yacht status, and these opulent floating dreams are one of the ultimate displays of wealth and luxury. Here are some fun facts about super yachts that might just fascinate you.

1. What’s the biggest super yacht in the world?

The world’s ‘most super’ yacht is the Azzam . It’s the biggest of them all when it comes to sheer number of guests, and it’s around 590 feet long. It also cost an impressive $600 million to bring to life, over the course of four years. It was owned by the late, former UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

2. These are more than just boats alone!

Super yachts are often regarded as being so ‘super’ thanks to the sheer variety of extras they come packed with. For example, did you know that some super yachts arrive with helipads, cinemas, gyms and pools? What’s wrong with just taking a cruise, honestly?

3. Running a super yacht is a costly business!

Super yachts on their own cost a pretty penny, but underneath all of that glamour and pizzazz, there’s running fees! It’s though that $3 billion a year is shelled out, overall, just to keep these beauties running. In fact, you can expect to spend approximately 10% of the total value of a super yacht just to keep it running per year.

facts about super yachts

4. But, they won’t stay pricey forever.

It’s a misconception that super yachts gain value over time. In fact, they are very likely to dip in price – luxury tastes change over the years, and as such, super yacht values will depreciate. Better buy in fast, then!

5. Old boats don’t come cheap…

Much of the depreciation you’ll expect from your super yacht arises thanks to rising costs. For example, did you know that the older your boat, the more it’ll cost to keep it on the water and running?

6. America is big on super yachts!

The US owns more super yachts than any other country in the world, and up until 2022, when Russian assets were seized due to curtailment during the Ukraine War, Russia was close behind in second.

7. Building one of these beauties takes time and money.

Building super yachts isn’t cheap, either. In fact, you can estimate the average cost by multiplying each meter of boat by a million dollars!

8. You’ll need lots of help to run a super yacht!

Given the size and complexity of super yachts, it’s reasonable to expect these boats to possess some form of crew on board. In fact, it’s likely you will find at least five people – up to ten in some cases – helping to run various areas of the ship.

9. Could super yachts pose a threat?

There are even some super yachts that come with weapons attached. For example, the Radiant is a super yacht that possesses guns designed to deafen enemies! It’s even got the potential to sink opposing ships if need be!

Fun Facts about Superyachts

10. An orchestra at sea?

Speaking of super yachts that have impressive toys and extra features, the Al Said outstrips many thanks to its incredible concert hall! It’s said that up to 50 members of an orchestra could comfortably play in here.

11. Floating artworks!

Many billionaires use super yachts purely to store expensive artworks – meaning that they are effectively galleries of the sea!

12. Scrapping super yachts makes very little.

Believe it or not, you won’t be able to make money from scrap when it comes to super yachts. They tend to lack steel in their build, meaning they don’t hold that much value when trading on after they’ve been used up.

3 superyachts moored together

FAQs about Super Yachts

How many super yachts exist.

There are said to be less than 9,000 super yachts in existence - they are a rare and expensive breed, indeed!

How much does it cost to rent a super yacht?

It’s thought that catamarans measuring more than 80 feet in length, and classed as super yachts, cost at least $40,000 per night to hire!

How much fuel do super yachts consume?

Super yachts consume a huge amount of fuel per hour - up to 130 gallons every 60 minutes if you’re constantly running the engine!

Do you know any interesting facts about super yachts? Share them in the comments below!

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  • Super Yachts

50 Fun Facts About Mexico That Will Surprise You

Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, even larger than Spain, with over 125 million native speakers.

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Mexico is a country bursting with rich heritage, lively festivals, breathtaking beaches, and downright delicious food.

It’s no surprise that it tops the bucket lists of many travel enthusiasts!

But there’s so much more to Mexico than meets the eye.

Did you know it’s the site of the impact of the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs? Or that it’s a land filled with fascinating superstitions?

So, pack your bags and get ready to dive into a world of wonder as we explore the many captivating aspects of Mexico!

The symbol in Mexico’s flag is based on the Aztec legend in which the gods told the Aztecs that the ideal place to build their city was where they found an eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a snake.

From 2017 to 2023, Mexico consistently produced more than 2.2 million tons (2 million metric tonnes) of avocados , making it the top producer worldwide!

A whopping 5,000 festivals are celebrated annually in Mexico! Some examples include the Vive Latino Festival, Cervatino Festival, and Corona Capital Festival.

The largest pyramid in the world (in terms of base width) is Tlachihualtepetl, the Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico. It measures 1,476 by 1,476 feet (450 by 450 meters) at its base and is 217 ft (66 m) tall!

As of 2024, Mexico City is the fifth most populated city in the world, with an estimated population of 21.6 million!

Much of Mexico’s capital, Mexico City, was built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire.

With over 125 million native speakers, Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world.

Certain names are banned in the Mexican state of Sonora to prevent children from being bullied because of their names. What’s on the list? James Bond, Email, Robocop, Batman , and even Hermione!

Mexico ranks as the 13th largest country globally, covering 760,621 square miles (1,972,550 million square kilometers) in area.

Lucha libre is a Mexican professional wrestling style known for its colorful masks and high-flying moves. It’s the second most popular sport in Mexico, right behind soccer .

Mexico’s Independence Day, September 16 , doesn’t mark the day the nation gained its independence. Instead, it commemorates the famous 1810 Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores) speech that demanded the end of Spanish rule and began the War of Independence.

In 1821, Mexico became a monarchy under Agustín de Iturbide, forming the First Mexican Empire. However, his rule was short-lived, as the nation adopted a republican form of government two years later.

The country’s second and last emperor was Maximilian I, who served from 1864 to 1867 during the Second Mexican Empire. He was appointed after Napoleon III and his French troops defeated the Mexican army.

Mexico was the first country to host the FIFA soccer World Cup twice, with the first in 1970 and the second in 1986.

The earliest cacao plants were discovered in Mesoamerica, particularly among ancient civilizations like the Maya and Aztecs in present-day Mexico.

The Olmecs of Southern Mexico are considered the first to roast and grind cacao plants into chocolate , dating back to 1500 B.C., and they used it for medicinal and ritual purposes.

In 1938, the Mexican government took control of foreign oil companies and created Pemex (or Petróleos Mexicanos) to manage the country’s oil industry.

After Spain colonized Mexico in 1521, new ingredients, such as beef, pork, and cheese , were added to tacos. However, before that, the Mexican delicacy’s filling was mostly beans, fish, and even insects!

One of the most common superstitions in Mexico says that if a rooster crows at night, someone has lost their life.

From 1565 to 1815, Mexico was part of the Manila Galleon Trade Route, where Spanish galleons sailed between Acapulco, Mexico, and Manila, Philippines , exchanging goods like silver and spices across the Pacific Ocean.

The largest bullfighting arena in the world is Plaza de Toros México, located in Mexico City. It has a seating capacity of more than 41,000 spectators!

On July 7, 2007, Mexico’s Chichen Itza archeological site was chosen as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.

Texas was once a part of Mexico until the dramatic Texas Revolution of 1836. Shortly after, in 1845, it joined the United States.

With 164 champions, Mexico has the second-highest number of world boxing champions. Notable champions include Julio César Chávez and Canelo Álvarez.

In 2010 , a major environmental disaster, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. Of the 205.8 million gallons of oil spilled, only around 51 million gallons were recovered, with the rest permanently affecting local ecosystems.

According to historians, Mexico got its name from the Mexica (also known as the Aztecs ), Nahuatl-speaking people who settled in the Valley of Mexico.

However, legend has it that Mexico’s name was derived from the Nahuatl words mētztli (moon) and xīctli (navel), thereby referring to Mexico as the “Place at the Center of the Moon.”

In 2023, Mexico produced 1.9 million barrels of oil daily and was ranked the 11th largest oil producer by the US Energy Information Administration.

Mexico’s capital city, once known as Distrito Federal, underwent a significant change when Mexican President Nieto signed a law in 2016 officially renaming it Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City).

Until the Treaty of Guadalupe was signed on February 2, 1848, California, Utah, and New Mexico were all part of Mexican territory.

The largest of the 32 Mexican states is Chihuahua, with an area of 95,526.5 square miles (247,412.6 square kilometers).

The Mexican state of Chihuahua is home to the Copper Canyon. While larger than the Grand Canyon, it’s made up of many smaller canyons rather than just one large one.

In Mexican tradition, eating bolillo bread is a common practice when feeling stressed or scared. Bolillos are long, oval-shaped breads that are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside!

Nopal pads, a part of the cactus, are a common ingredient in Mexican cuisine. They can be used in soups, stews, and salads, but you can also eat them raw!

Sweeping at night is a big no-no in Mexico, as it’s believed to bring bad luck to one’s home.

Cancún, Mexico, has an underwater museum featuring 500 mesmerizing sculptures! It opened in 2010 and was created to protect local coral reefs by providing an alternative site for divers.

Ox Bel Ha System, in Tulum, Mexico, is 270.8 miles (435.8 km) long and is considered the longest underwater cave system in the world.

Mexico is one of the countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 35 heritage sites as of 2024 . Aside from Chichen Itza, other notable examples are Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, El Tajin, and Teotihuacan.

It’s customary for Mexicans to tocar madera (“knock on wood”) right after making a statement or prediction to prevent jinxing themselves!

The name for sombreros, wide-brimmed hats typically measuring up to 2 feet (61 centimeters), comes from the Spanish word sombra , meaning shade.

Donald Trump tried to make Mexico pay for the construction of a wall between it and the US. Mexico rejected the suggestion, and the small parts of the wall that were actually built were 100% US-funded.

In Mexico City, there’s an island filled with spooky dolls called Isla de las Munecas (The Island of the Dolls). It was created in the 1950s but didn’t open to the public until 2001.

In 2023, Mexico ranked as the world’s second-largest consumer of Coca-Cola , right behind the US, drinking a staggering 5,151 million gallons (19,500 million liters) annually!

Spain introduced piñatas to Mexico during the 16th century. However, as it turns out, the Mayans and Aztecs of Ancient Mexico already practiced a similar tradition prior to this.

In 2008 , Mexico banned smoking in bars, restaurants, and workplaces. Further restrictions, banning smoking and tobacco advertising in all public areas, were introduced in 2021.

Mexico City’s metro system has reserved subway cars for each line for women and children since 1970, just one year after the subway opened.

The Chicxulub asteroid, which is believed to have caused the dinosaur extinction event, hit Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula 66 million years ago. Sadly, the crater is now buried, but the area’s numerous cenotes (or sinkholes) confirm the impact site.

According to the 2020 census, 91.3% of Mexicans are Christian, with 77.8% identifying as Catholic.

Cuexcomate, often incorrectly labeled the world’s smallest volcano, is actually an inactive geyser. Located in Mexico’s Puebla city, it stands only 43 feet (13 m) tall.

Mexico is home to one of the world’s few pink lakes. It’s located in Las Colaradas, Yucatan, and it gets its distinctive hue due to organisms that thrive in salty water and produce beta-carotene, a compound that gives off a red-orange pigment.

El Castillo, otherwise known as the Temple of Kukulcan, a Mayan pyramid at the Chichen Itza archeological site in Yucatan, Mexico.

There are countless reasons why Mexico is worth visiting. You can immerse yourself in a variety of cultures and explore places filled with spectacular stories.

Whether visiting Chichen Itza or the Great Pyramid of Cholula, you’re sure to leave with countless unforgettable memories.

If you’re looking for a sign to make Mexico your next travel destination, this is it!

North America

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Aaron is a freelance eCommerce content writer and email marketer. He's on a mission to learn a lot about different subjects in his lifetime. When he isn't writing, expect him to work on his hobbies while documenting his progress.

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durban

Home » Seven fun facts about Durban for first-time visitors

Seven fun facts about Durban for first-time visitors

If you’re visiting beautiful Durban for the first time, here are some really cool facts about this East Coast city South African city.

durban

Offering a unique blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and thrilling activities, Durban is a city that delivers on all counts. Here are seven fun facts that make Durban a must-visit for any first-time visitor…

1. The warmest beaches in South Africa

Durban is renowned for its beautiful, warm beaches along the Indian Ocean. The city enjoys a subtropical climate, making the water warm enough for year-round swimming. The Golden Mile is a must-visit stretch of beachfront, perfect for sunbathing, surfing, or taking a leisurely stroll.

2. A taste of India in Africa

Durban has the highest concentration of Indian descendants in South Africa. This influence is evident in the city’s culture, cuisine, and festivals. Don’t miss out on trying some local Indian-inspired dishes, like bunny chow!

3. Gateway to the Drakensberg Mountains

Just a couple of hours’ drive from Durban, you’ll find the majestic Drakensberg Mountains , a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a popular destination for hiking, rock climbing, and exploring ancient San rock art. A day trip here offers a scenic contrast to Durban’s coastal vibe.

4. A surfer’s paradise

Durban is a surfing hotspot, attracting wave riders from around the globe. The consistent swells and warm waters make it ideal for both beginners and seasoned surfers. If you’re new to the sport, there are plenty of surf schools offering lessons.

5. Home of Africa’s largest marine theme park

uShaka Marine World in Durban is Africa’s largest marine theme park. It’s a fun-filled day out for the whole family, featuring an aquarium, water park, and various animal encounters. The park is home to one of the world’s largest aquariums, with a wide array of marine life to discover.

6. Historical Zulu heritage

Durban is deeply connected to the Zulu culture and history. Visitors can explore this heritage at places like the Phansi Museum , which houses a remarkable collection of Zulu artifacts, or by visiting a traditional Zulu village to experience local customs, music, and dance.

7. The famous Moses Mabhida stadium

This architectural marvel, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is one of Durban’s most iconic landmarks. The stadium’s SkyCar ride takes you up to the top of the arch for breathtaking panoramic views of the city. For thrill-seekers, the Big Swing—a 220-meter arc swing from the top of the stadium—is a must-try.

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Last flight in the books: 5 fun facts about the martin jrm mars water bomber.

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  • Martin Mars Hawaii, last operational JRM Mars, & other final two to be preserved for future generations.
  • JRM Mars had a prestigious history with the US Navy, set world record carrying 269 passengers in 1948.
  • Four JRM Mars converted to water bombers for firefighting, dropping over 50 million gallons each in BC from 1960-2015.

The Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber is an ex-military transport aircraft that served the United States Navy in the Second World War. After retirement from service, the four remaining Martin Mars were converted to water bombers for aerial firefighting. As the second-last aircraft (Hawaii Mars) made its final flight on August 11, we looked at some fun facts about Hawaii Mars.

After a prestigious history with the United States Navy and aerial firefighting, the two remaining Martin JRM Mars aircraft will fly to their final resting destinations, where the history of these amazing machines will be preserved forever to share with future generations and aviation enthusiasts alike.

1 Hawaii Mars - a reborn

The first hawaii mars was lost in an accident.

  • Hawaii Mars
  • Marianas Mars
  • Philippine Mars
  • Marshall Mars
  • Caroline Mars
  • (A second) Hawaii Mars

The Glenn L. Martin Company designated the Martin JRM Mars aircraft with different names. The first aircraft, named Hawaii Mars, was delivered in June 1945. While the US Navy had ordered 20 modified JRM Mars, they scaled back at the end of World War II.

The original Hawaii Mars was lost in an accident in Chesapeake Bay just a few weeks after it first flew. The Hawaii Mars had a “re-birth” and became part of the five remaining aircraft that entered service ferrying cargo to the Pacific Islands in January 1944. The last production aircraft was the Caroline Mars.

Hawaii Martin Mars To Conduct Final Flight To BC Aviation Museum

The Hawaii Mars is the last operational Martin JRM Mars aircraft.

2 A world record

Carrying a high passenger load.

Date March 4, 1949
Aircraft Caroline Mars
Passenger load record 269 passengers
Route San Diego to San Francisco, California

The last production aircraft, the Carolina Mars, received the designation JRM-2, enabling several improvements, including a greater maximum weight. The aircraft was powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-436 engines, each producing approximately 3,000 hp (2,200 kW) of takeoff power.

On March 4, 1948, the Carolina Mars set a world record by carrying 269 people from San Diego to San Francisco, California. While the aircraft’s operational range of 4,300 NM (8,000 km) easily allowed the flight, it was primarily remarked for the number of passengers it carried through the state’s coast.

Martin Mars: The Challenges Of Getting The World’s Largest Water Bomber To Its New Museum Home

Coulson Aviation is donating one of the last two aircraft to the British Columbia Aviation Museum.

3 Enabled the formation of a new company

Forest industries flying tankers (fift).

  • Marinas Mars crashed during a firefighting operation
  • Caroline Mars was damaged beyond repair due to Typhoon Freda

After Marshall Mars's demise in Hawaii due to an engine fire, the remaining four aircraft were to be sold for scrap. A Canadian company, Forest Industries Flying Tankers (FIFT), was formed to bid for the four aircraft and a large spare inventory. The company aims to convert the aircraft into water bombers for firefighting operations.

In June 1961, Marinas Mars crashed near Northwest Bay in British Columbia during a firefighting operation. Just over a year later, on 12 October 1962, the Caroline Mars was severely damaged by Typhoon Freda. The aircraft was blown 200 meters, breaking its structure beyond repair. Hawaii Mars (the second) and Philippine Mars remained operational until 2016.

Coulson Aviation Signs A 10-Year $400 Million Contract To Support New South Wales Firefighting Efforts

The Canadian aerial firefighting company will support the area for the next decade.

4 A plywood water tank

Water tank capacity: 7,200 us gal (27,000 liters).

  • Cargo bay tank
  • Retractable pick-up scoops
  • 27 tons of water to be picked up in 22 seconds
  • Some aircraft had hull fuel tanks replaced with water tanks

The initial conversion of the four Martin JRM Mars involved the installation of a 7,200 US gal (6,000 imperial gallon, 27,000 L) tank made of plywood. The tank was installed in the cargo and had retractable pick-up scoops to enable water scooping during taxi. The scoops enabled 27 tonnes of water to be taken onboard in as little as 22 seconds.

Later, some of the hull fuel tanks were replaced with water tanks. According to Martin Mars ,

“These iconic aircraft served the Province of British Columbia from 1960 to 2015 and over the span of 55 years, dropped over 50 million gallons each which is more water on fires than any other single firefighting aircraft in history anywhere in the world.”

World's Last Martin JRM Mars Water Bomber Acquired By Pima Air & Space Museum

It was one of only five ever built.

5 The opportunity to be up close and personal

Coulson aviation has offered two distinctive experiences.

  • Water Taxi Experience (half day): $5,000
  • Water Taxi Experience for Port Alberni residents (half day): $1,000
  • Pilot Recurrency Experience (full day): $15,000

In June, Coulson Aviation announced that it is offering two distinctive paid experiences for those who want to get up close and personal with the two remaining aircraft before they depart for their final homes.

The Water Taxi Experience:

“This experience will consist of a detailed walk around the airplane and participation in the daily inspection with the maintenance team.”
“Once signed off for the day, this experience will allow a small group to stay onboard the aircraft for a 40 minute taxi around Sproat Lake, at both low and high speeds.”

Great But Too Late: WW2's Mighty Martin JRM Mars Flying Boat

The JRM Mars was a very well-built aircraft which could have enjoyed great use during World War II in the Pacific Theater.

The Pilot Recurrency Experience:

“This experience will allow a select group of people to participate in a half day ground school session to learn about the systems and emergency procedures of the aircraft, followed by a detailed daily inspection, and end with a journey around Sproat Lake.
“Participants will get the opportunity to test their skills at handling the Mars on the water, at both low and high speeds, and while the aircraft will not go airborne, you’ll still experience the thrill of piloting the Mars.”

While both experiences sold out in just three days, Coulson Aviation stated that more slots may open as the team plans the maintenance and last journey of the aircraft.

  • North America
  • water bombers

He Caused His Wife A Miscarriage, Claims Mother-In-Law Of Kolkata Horror Accused

Recounting her daughter's experience with the accused while speaking to ani on monday, she described the relationship as tense adding that roy thrashed her daughter against which a police complaint was filed..

He Caused His Wife A Miscarriage, Claims Mother-In-Law Of Kolkata Horror Accused

The rape and murder of the trainee doctor have sparked widespread outrage.

Amid the ongoing investigations and protests following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, the accused Sanjoy Roy's mother-in-law suggested that there could be more people involved in the crime and further added that Roy could not have done it alone.

Recounting her daughter's experience with Roy while speaking to ANI on Monday, she described the relationship as tense adding that Roy thrashed her daughter against which a police complaint was filed.

"My relations with him were very tense," she said, adding, "Initially, everything was good for 6 months. When she was 3 months pregnant, he caused a miscarriage. He thrashed her, and a police complaint was registered for the same. Following this, my daughter continued being ill, I bore all her expenses for medicines."

"Sanjoy was not good. Hang him or do whatever you want with him. I won't speak about the crime. He could not have done it alone. He can't do it alone," she said.

Earlier today, a close associate of the accused was captured sprinting and reaching the CBI Special Crime Branch office in Kolkata on Monday.

The rape and murder of the trainee doctor have sparked widespread outrage and protests across various cities, with calls for justice and punishment for the accused.

The Supreme Court has taken suo-motu cognizance of the case, with a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud scheduled to hear it on August 20.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has received permission to conduct a polygraph test on the arrested accused, CBI sources said earlier.

On August 18, the CBI team examined and conducted 3D laser mapping in the emergency ward of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

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West Bengal government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an enquiry/investigation into the allegations of financial irregularities in R G Kar Hospital during the period between January 2021 and till date.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Victoria Memorial in Kolkata: Interesting facts about this architectural marvel

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated : Aug 21, 2024, 16:38 IST

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The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, dedicated to Queen Victoria, is a blend of classical and Baroque architecture by Sir William Emerson. It was completed in 1921 and is surrounded by 64 acres of gardens. The memorial includes a mus … Read more

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, dedicated to Queen Victoria, is a blend of classical and Baroque architecture by Sir William Emerson. It was completed in 1921 and is surrounded by 64 acres of gardens. The memorial includes a museum housing British-era artifacts and attracts millions of visitors each year. Read less

Victoria Memorial in Kolkata: Interesting facts about this architectural marvel

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Victoria Memorial in Kolkata: Interesting facts about this architectural marvel

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Victoria Memorial in Kolkata: Interesting facts about this architectural marvel

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, dedicated to Queen Victoria, is a blend of classical and Baroque architecture by Sir William Emerson. It was completed in 1921 and is surrounded by 64 acres of garden...

fun facts about the yacht

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