What is the history of yachts?
The first known written reference to “jachts” (the Dutch version of “yachts”) appears in the 17th Century. They were fast sailing luxurious vessels that ship owners used deliver pilots to their waiting ships. These “jachts” attracted the attention of the wealthy Dutch and soon enough – they began building “yachts” so other wealthy Dutch could use them for pleasure. Obviously, it wasn’t long before everyone around the world began building these luxurious vessels pleasure trips. By the start of the 17th century these “yachts’ were found all around the Dutch coast and the Dutch organised what they called “reviews” (probably the worlds first on the water boat show) of these luxurious private “yachts” for special occasions. From the mid-1600s to the 1980s the term “yacht” was used exclusively to reference a “very luxuriously appointed vessel that exceeded 40 feet in length”. And a “yacht” had a very distinctive visual appearance that everyone knew – it belonged to a very rich man. Charles I
