Sailing yachts usually differ in general length from about 20 feet to well over 300 feet. But most privately owned yachts usually are from about 20 feet to 50 feet, those which are above 30 m or 90 feet tend to be described as grand yachts. Monohull yachts are typically fitted with a fixed or adaptable keel below the waterline to counterpoise the overturning force of wind on the vessel's sails, when multihull yachts (a Catamaran for example) use two or more hulls separated from each other to resist a stable base that overturning.

Unlike sailing yachts, motor yachts depend upon mechanical means for propulsion. They are more expensive to run than sailing vessels because of the fuel costs and usually large engines are used. A more economical hybrid type of vessel is a motor sailing yacht that can use either sail or motor propulsion (or both) depending on situation.