The Under-24m Advantage: Big-Yacht Experience, Small-Yacht Freedom

The hidden advantages of staying below the superyacht threshold, and the best yachts that do it beautifully

In yachting, 24 metres is an invisible but powerful size marker. It’s the length where a yacht is first classified as a superyacht.

This threshold signifies heavier regulation, mandatory commercial coding and a more professional and robust crewing structure. So, staying just below this mark you retain the independence of a private operation while enjoying nearly all of the comfort, volume, practicality and prestige of something later.

Luckily, shipyards are well-aware of the regulations and there is an abundance of choice for yachts sized 23.99m and below. But filtering through this choice can of course be difficult.

There are countless new brands popping up every year, releasing one boat and then disappearing into oblivion. Other brands stick around longer but the used market is full of their products that aren’t selling. Other shipyards have product lineups that are so plentiful it’s impossible to tell the difference between the models.

To filter through some of the noise, I am going to highlight three spectacular yachts under 24m in length.

If you’re looking for a first yacht, or perhaps you have owned day boats in the past but are now looking for something a little more substantial for longer trips, this could be for you.

These are just three highlights from good shipyards I have personally worked with in the past. If you are after something else, or something specific, feel free to get in touch to bounce any ideas off.

Together the three boats cover style, substance and soul – covering most types of owner profile.

1. Arcadia A80 – for the Mediterranean island hopper

Shipyard: Arcadia Yachts, Italy

Profile: 23.97 m LOA | Beam 7 m | Hull GRP | Range > 900 nm | Top Speed 18 kn | 4 cabins | 2 crew

Price: starting from EUR 6,195,000

Key USPS:

• Hybrid solar-electric system reducing generator use by up to 40%

• Expansive glazing and convertible terraces that dissolve the boundary between interior and sea

• Semi-displacement hull for efficiency and stability

• Incredible interior layout and volume, ensuring the yacht feels much larger than her actual size

Interior styling:

Bright with a focus on sustainability. A futuristic feeling – a yacht that definitely feels ahead of its time. Interior design by HotLab which results in less of a boat and more like a floating NYC loft. Linen textures, matte woods and uninterrupted sightlines of the ocean.

Ease of ownership:

Owner-operable for short passages but recommended min two crew. Joystick control and minimal mechanical complexity. Perfect for an eco-conscious buyer who values both design and feel as much as autonomy.

2. Bering 88 – for the explorer

Shipyard: Bering Yachts, Antalya, Turkey

Yacht Profile: 27 m overall length (23.95 m hull) | Hull Steel | Full-displacement | Range > 3,000 nm | Top Speed 11 kn | 5 cabins | 4 crew

Price: from EUR 9,500,000

Key USP’s:

• Heavy-duty steel construction and ocean-crossing capability.

• Commercial-grade engineering with redundancy in every critical system.

• Exceptional long-range efficiency; a true ‘mini-explorer’

Interior Styling:

A blend of explorer ruggedness and refined comfort with multiple design packages to choose from. Dark walnut, brushed steel accents, and large vertical windows that flood the saloon with light. Yard very flexible with design choices.

Ease of Ownership:

Requires a small crew to get the most out of the capability, but still built for simplicity and reliability. This boat can be taken pretty much anywhere the owner desires.

3. Zeelander 8 – for the gentleman

Shipyard: Zeelander Yachts, The Netherlands

Yacht Profile: 23.9 m | Triple Volvo Penta IPS 1350 | Top Speed 40 kn | 3 cabins | Crew 1

Price: from €7,850,000

Key USP’s:

• Retro-modern curves inspired by Riva and Chris-Craft classics.

• Whisper-quiet interior noise levels under 72 dB at cruise.

• Convertible aft platform and tender garage that transform the stern into a beach club.

  
  

Interior Styling:

Dutch craftsmanship meets Art Deco sensuality. With lacquered mahogany, hand-stitched leather, stainless-steel detailing. It’s tactile luxury, distilled. Straight out of GQ magazine.

Ease of Ownership:

Joystick docking, dynamic positioning and intuitive systems make this a true owner-driver yacht. One you’ll easily take out yourself on a summer evening.

The 24m line might sound arbitrary on paper, but in practise it shapes how you live with your yacht day-to-day.

Below the line lies a world of freedom: fewer rules, leaner crews, simpler upkeep, yet with all the comfort and aesthetic presence that first drew you to the idea of ownership.

Whether you are moving up from a day boat, or stepping back from something larger, choose well here and you can easily gain the best of both worlds: substance of a superyacht with the independence of true private ownership.