View Single Post
Old 05-26-2017, 07:55 AM   #14
Bay Pelican
Moderator Emeritus
 
Bay Pelican's Avatar
 
City: Chicago, IL
Vessel Name: Bay Pelican
Vessel Model: Krogen 42
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,993
Quote:
Originally Posted by GFC View Post
Yeah, but we all know better, don't we.


When people talk about my "yacht" I not-so-gently tell them that it's not a yacht, it's a boat. Then I tell them that my definition of a yacht is one where there is a paid crew, and my crew works for wine.
It is interesting how the language/ and languages change from area to area. We spend a lot of time boating with Brits and the common term for a pleasure boat is "yacht", no allusion to richness implied. It could reference a 28 foot day sailor or a 55 foot Nordy. The French frequently use a generic term for the same item, translated as pleasure boat, again no allusion to wealth.


We Americans frequently use "yacht" as a implication of a rich man's toy, and use "boat" as a shortening of "pleasure boat" as opposed to a navy submarine which is also a boat.

I guess if it mattered the Brits have it right, there is a class of boats used for pleasure (including non commercial fishing) which can be distinguished from other boats and they have a name for it, "yacht".
__________________
Marty
Bay Pelican is offline   Reply With Quote