Editing Yacht (section)

== Construction ==
Originally, all yachts were made of wood, using a wooden keel and ribs, clad with planks. These materials were supplanted with iron or steel in steam yachts.<ref name="golden" /> In the 1960s [[fiberglass]] became a prevalent material. These materials and others continue in use.<ref name="offshore">{{Cite book|last1=Howard|first1=Jim|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NB4uFQuUlnEC&q=Cruising+boat&pg=PA7|title=Handbook of Offshore Cruising: The Dream and Reality of Modern Ocean Cruising|last2=Doane|first2=Charles J.|date=2000|publisher=Sheridan House, Inc.|isbn=978-1-57409-093-2|language=en}}</ref> Whereas yachts of {{Convert|24|m|ft|abbr=|order=flip}} and below may be constructed of [[fiberglass]], larger yachts are more likely to be constructed of steel, aluminum or composite [[Fibre-reinforced plastic|fiber-reinforced plastic]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Coles|first1=Richard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NZk3AAAAQBAJ&q=%22superyacht%22+definition&pg=PA1|title=Law of Yachts & Yachting|last2=Lorenzon|first2=Filippo|date=2013-07-31|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9781317995791|pages=3–4|language=en}}</ref>

* ''Wood'' construction, using conventional planks over ribs continues. [[Chine (boating)|Hard-chined]] boats made with plywood is an infrequent technique, whereas yachts made with the WEST system—plies of wood strips, soaked in epoxy and applied over the boat frame—provide a durable, lightweight and robust hull.
* ''Metal'' hulls from steel or aluminum offer the opportunity for welding components to a completely watertight hull. Both metals are vulnerable to damage due to [[electrolysis]]. Steel is easy to repair in boatyards around the world, whereas aluminum is a much lighter material.
* ''Fiberglass'' construction is best suited for [[Mass production|mass-produced]] yachts, using a mold and is therefore the most prevalent material. Fiberglass skins comprise plies of roving (glass fabric) and matting, soaked in resin for the hull. [[Deck (ship)|Decks]] typically have a core of balsa, or [[Polyvinyl chloride|PVC]] foam between layers of glass mat. Both elements of construction are vulnerable to intrusion of water and the development of blisters below the waterline.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Caswell|first=Chris|date=August 4, 2000|title=Fiberglass Blisters|url=https://www.boats.com/fiberglass-blisters/|access-date=2021-12-26|website=www.boats.com}}</ref>