Editing Yachting

{{Short description|Recreational boating in medium/large ships}}
{{more citations needed|date = May 2020}}
[[File:Aerial view Yacht Harbour Residence Rostock Yachthafenresidenz Hohe Düne 1.jpg|right|thumb|Aerial view of a [[yacht club]] and [[marina]], Yacht Harbour Residence "Hohe Düne", in [[Rostock]], [[Germany]]]]

'''Yachting''' is recreational [[boating]] activities using medium/large-sized [[boat]]s or small [[ship]]s collectively called [[yacht]]s. Yachting is distinguished from other forms of boating mainly by the priority focus on comfort and luxury, the dependence on [[marina]]s for docking, and being typically only for exclusive social leisures such as [[cruising (maritime)|cruising]], [[recreational boat fishing|fishing trip]] or [[yacht racing|racing]].

The term "''yacht''" derives from the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] word ''[[wiktionary:jacht|jacht]]'', meaning "hunt". When yachting with [[sailboat]]s, the activity is simply called [[sailing (sport)|sailing]]; and with [[motorboat]]s, it is called [[powerboating]]. A [[boat club]] that only services yachting participants is known as a [[yacht club]].

==Racing==
{{Main|Yacht racing}}
{{See also|Sailing (sport)}}
[[Image:Kärkinen bridge during Päijännepurjehdus 2007.jpg|thumb|right|A yacht race on lake [[Päijänne]] in [[Jyväskylä]], Finland]]
[[File:Cabo San Lucas Race B Start 2013 photo D Ramey Logan.jpg|thumb|Cabo San Lucas Race Start 2013]]

===History===
The history of sailing dates back to prehistoric times but the racing of sailing boats is believed to have started in the [[Netherlands]] some time in the 17th century. Soon, in [[England]], custom-built racing "[[yacht]]s" began to emerge. In 1851, the [[Royal Yacht Squadron]] in [[Cowes]] challenged the American yacht ''America''. The race took place in the [[Solent]]. The ''America'' won the race and took the trophy, the [[America's Cup]], back to the US where, held by the [[New York Yacht Club]], it remained until 1983. The cup was then lost to the [[Royal Perth Yacht Club]] of [[Australia]], which entered the ''[[Australia II]]'' into the contest. Meanwhile, yacht racing continued to evolve, with the development of recognised classes of racing yachts, from small [[dinghy sailing|dinghies]] up to huge [[maxi yachts]].

===Inshore===
Although there are many different types of racing vessels, they can generally be separated into the larger yachts, which are larger and contain facilities for extended voyages, and smaller harbour racing craft such as dinghies and skiffs. Smaller boats are not generally referred to as yachts, although all recreational boats (as opposed to commercial or military vessels) are yachts. These days, [[yacht racing]] is a common participant sport around the developed world, particularly where favorable wind conditions and access to reasonably sized bodies of water are available. Most yachting is conducted in salt water, but smaller craft can be raced on lakes and even large rivers.

===Ocean===
Larger yachts are also raced on harbours, but the most prestigious yacht races are point-to-point long-distance races on the open ocean. Bad weather makes even finishing such races a considerable test of equipment and willpower, and from time to time boats and sailors are lost at sea. The longest such events are "round-the-world" races which can take months to complete, but better-known are events such as the [[Fastnet race]] in the United Kingdom and the [[Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race]] along the east coast of Australia. Large races are usually organized with a first-past-the-post trophy (called "line honours") and under a handicap system that adjusts finishing times for the relative speeds of the boats' design, theoretically offering each entrant an equal chance.
[[File:Loe Real 60 foot Water World Tri 2013 Photo D Ramey Logan.jpg|thumb|upright|Loe Real 60-foot Water World Tri 2013]]

While sailing groups organize the most active and popular competitive yachting, other boating events are also held worldwide: speed motor boat racing; competitive canoeing, kayaking, and rowing; and navigational contests (generally a test of celestial and landmark-based navigation skills where [[GPS]] and other electronic navigation equipment is disallowed) are among the events which are organized around the world. Specialized yachts, such as hydrofoils, hovercraft, or personal watercraft also engage in competitions involving test of equipment and skill (usually, skill in maneuvering safely). All such events are part of the larger world of yachting, if they are done for recreational or sporting purposes.

==Cruising==
{{Main|Cruising (maritime)}}
[[File:Yacht-Samar.jpg|thumb|A yacht in Lorient, Bretagne, France]]

Cruising involves traveling on a boat, whether across a bay, on the Great Lakes (in the US) or from island to island in the South Pacific. Safe cruising across long distances requires a degree of self-sufficiency and a wide range of skills beyond handling the boat. Knowledge of topics such as [[navigation]], [[meteorology]], mechanical and electrical systems, [[radio]], [[first aid]], sea survival, [[nutrition]] and more are needed and can be life saving when cruising to distant shores. In the US, the [[United States Power Squadrons]] offer courses and certifications in these skills. In the UK, a system of certification is run by the [[Royal Yachting Association]]. Similar systems are offered by organizations in other countries and typically include a range of courses, both theoretical and practical.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Caswell|first=Chris|url=https://archive.org/details/charteringboat00chri|url-access=registration|title=Chartering a Boat: Sail and Power|date=2001|publisher=Sheridan House, Inc.|isbn=978-1-57409-111-3|language=en}}</ref>

==Fishing==
[[File:MegabyteSST.jpg|thumb|[[Billfishing]] aboard a small yacht]]
{{main|Recreational boat fishing|Big-game fishing}}
Offshore fishing in [[green water|green]] and [[blue water]]s generally require sturdier, more seaworthy vessels that can handle stronger waves and more unpredictable weather conditions, and these vessels are typically larger, heavier and need to be moored in a [[marina]]. Most offshore recreational fishermen [[chartering (shipping)|charter]] boats rather than own them, and those demanding more luxury go [[yacht charter]]. Fishing while yachting is often a [[pastime]] of the [[affluent]] [[upper class|upper]] and [[upper middle class]]es, and there is a demand for chartered yacht with experienced [[crew]] and equipped and [[catering|catered]] for prestige and enjoyment.

==See also==
*[[Boating]]
*[[Classic Boat Museum]]
*[[Cruising (maritime)]]
*[[Superyacht]]
*[[Sailing]]
*[[Yacht charter]]
*[[Yacht club]]
*[[Yacht racing]]
*[[Yacht rock]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Trailer sailers and Trailer yachts worldwide}}
{{Sailing dinghies and skiffs}}
{{Olympic class sailboats}}
{{Water sports}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Yachting| ]]
[[Category:Sports originating in the Netherlands]]

[[fr:Nautisme]]