MHY Boat Types
Gordon Ringberg
Senior Underwriter
Boats and Yachts come in all shapes and sizes. The goal of todays
presentation is to help you identify risk attributes of the different boat
types so you develop the proper rate in MAGIC.
Additional information about specific makes and models can be found at:
- Discover Boating’s Buyer Guide
- iboats.com – All New Boat Types
- YachtWorld.com
- BoatTest.com
Runabout
“Runabout”,
“family day-boat”,these
“bow boats
rider” and
“sport
boat” describe
classunless
of boatthey
built
With
no accommodations,
seldom
venture
far fromthis
home
for fun and comfort on the water, but without overnight accommodations. Bow riders are
are
on a popular
trailer. Open
can be
heavyinseas
the most
in this bowriders
category, thanks
to swamped
the spaciousby
seating
their and
openare
bownot
area.
Swim platforms
are navigation,
handy for swimming,
donning skis
or just
in theback
water
suited
for coastal
and passengers
riding
up dangling
front cantoes
sustain
when at anchor. Closed bow sport boats are fast and ideal for smaller crews who enjoy the
injuries
if the
doesrunabouts
not control
speed
large
waves.and
Watch
for
sleek sports
caroperator
look. Larger
maytheir
include
wet in
bars,
icemakers
refrigerators
in
runabouts
higher
power
that
willthe
require
an Runabouts
operator with
good
boating
the cockpit. with
A small
headhorse
may be
built in
under
console.
can be
powered
by
inboard, outboard,
drive,that
or inboard-outboard
be gasoline or
experience.
Sportjet
boats
exceed 65 mph(I/O)
needdrives.
to be Engines
written can
in MHP.
diesel. Most runabouts can be trailered.
Common Manufactures are: Chris Craft, Formula, Hacker Craft, Larson, Regal, Riva,
Sea Ray
Pontoon/Tritoon
Theses boats are popular on inland lakes and rivers, but because of low freeboard, are not
acceptable
in coastal
waters.
The large
open
decks
are
inviting
to many
guests.lounges
It is not and
Pontoons /Tritoons
feature
comfort
on the
water
with
living
room-like
couches,
swivel
that beckon
boaters
sit backand
anddangle
relax. Considered
slow
and lazy
safe
forseats
passengers
to ride
on thetoforedeck
their feet in stable,
the water
while
craft, whentoo
equipped
with higher
horsepower
they
the speed
andbypower
needed to pull
underway,
many people
have fallen
between
thehave
pontoon
to be hit
the propeller.
skiers and tubers. Usually outboard, but can be powered by an I/O. Most have aluminum
Warning
regarding
safe loading,
monoxide,
and riding on the bow
hulls andlabels
structure.
Pontoons
have twocarbon
hulls and
Tritoonsfueling
have three.
decks must be located in prominent locations.
Common Manufactures are: Aloha, Aqua Patio, Avalon , Bentley, Berkshire, Crestliner,
Cypress Cay, G3, Gillgetter, Harris FloteBote, JC, Manitou, Parti Kraft, Premier Marine,
Princecraft, Sanpan, South Bay, Starcraft, Sun Cruiser, Sun Tracker, Sunchaser,
Sunset Bay, Sweetwater, Sylvan, Tuscany, Veranda
Cruiser / Express Cruiser
These
boats
have
accommodations
for comfortable
overnight cruising,
Cruiser
style
boats
can be attractive
by their perceived
ease ofincluding
use to a galley, a
head and bunks making them great for family trips. “Express Cruiser” indicates that the boat
inexperienced
boaters.
be less
complicated
a Motor Most
Yacht,
can
achieve greater
speed. While
Thesethey
may may
be inboard,
outboard,
I/O orthan
jet powered.
are
there are but
complex
systems
muststeel
be or
maintained.
fiberglass,
older models
maywhich
be wood,
aluminum. Cruisers under 30 feet can
usually
be trailered.
Speed for
is generally
around
35 mph
foracruisers
and 50 and
mph Runabouts
for express
A general
rule of thumb
classing;
Cruisers
have
“downstairs”
cruisers,
don’t. but will vary depending on boat length and HP. Cruisers can be navigated on lakes,
rivers and near coastal waters.
Common Manufactures are: Bayliner, Chaparral, Chris Craft, Cobalt, Crownline,
Formula, Four Winns, Glastron, Larson, Mariah, Monterey, Regal, Rinker, Sea Ray
Trawler
Trawlers are designed to resemble and perform like commercial fishing vessels. Displacement
Many
trawler owners
arelarge
ex-sailboaters
andefficient
have impressive
resumes
cruising
or
semi-displacement
hulls,
fuel tanks, fuel
inboard diesel
engines of
(usually
only
experience.
With
their
low speed,
and a reputation
for destinations.
reliability,
one),
and speeds
up to
18 knots
provideseaworthiness
for long range cruising
and worldwide
Some
trawlers
capable of
ocean crossings. Traditionally trawlers were between 35 and 60
trawlers
get aare
preferred
rate.
feet in length, but newer trawlers can exceed 100’. Accommodations can be comfortable to
lavish. Many trawler owners are full time cruisers and/or liveaboards. Newer production boats
are fiberglass, but it is not uncommon see older and custom trawlers built of wood, steel or
aluminum.
Common Manufactures are:American Tug, Albin, Beneteau, CHB, Defever, Grand Banks,
Island Gypsy, Kadey-Krogen, Mainship, Marine Trader, Monk, Nordic Tugs, Nordhavn,
PY Cruiser, Seline, Willard
Motor Yacht
A
ALong
largelength
powerboat,
typically
than lots
40 feet
in length with
interior
overall,
high greater
freeboard,
of windage
and luxurious
complicated
mechanical
accommodations
and ideal
forboats
entertaining
or coastaland
adventuring.
systems can make
these
difficultclients
to maneuver
maintain.Numerous
Motor Yacht
configurations are available to suit many needs or preferences. Motor yachts are ideal for
owners
may hire
professional
captains
toand
operate
and
for their
ocean
cruising,
navigating
large rivers
or the and
Greatcrew
Lakes
capable
of care
long range
cruising.
vessels.
Boat
owners
who
do
not
hire
captains
should
have
experience
in
a
Two engines, usually diesel, and a generator for electricity make for self-sufficient living
accommodations.
Builtof
ofboat
steel,sizes.
aluminum
and fiberglass
top for
speed
around Motor
30 knots for
natural progression
A general
rule ofwith
thumb
classing;
most
models.
Yachts
have an “upstairs” and Cruisers don’t.
Common Manufactures are: Broward, Burger, Californian, Carver, Delta, Fairline, Ferretti,
Fleming, Hatteras, Jefferson, Lazzura, Marlow, Meridian, Mikelson, Navigator, Ocean
Alexander, Palmer Johnson, Sea Ray, Sunseeker, West Bay SonShip,
Sportfish
Built to fish, these boats may spend more time on the water then they do at the
Sportfish
boats
have
cabins and
features,
like
large
cockpits,
tuna towers
and fighting
chairs
dock
and
often
in
weather
that
would
keep
other
boat
owners
at
home.
Although
to help reel in the big ones. These boats are designed simply to make finding, hooking and
they have
many
Sedan,
Open,
Yachtfish,
Walkaround,
landing
fish as
easynames;
as possible.
OftenConvertible,
equipped with
sleeping
berths, aand
galley
for cooking it
and
plumbing
for convenience,
have
capacity toAstay
on Open
the water
for days.with
is how
the boat
is used that most
makes
it athe
Sportfish.
“Tiara
Express”
Most
are fiberglass,
but many
die-hard
anglersisbelieve
wood orMulti-hulled
cold molded powerboats
hulls can “call”
outriggers,
downriggers
and
rod
holders
a
Sportfish.
fish to the surface. Inboard engines are traditional, but outboard power is becoming more
like Glacial Bay and World Cat that are built for fishing also fall into this category.
popular..
Common Manufactures are: Albemarle, Baha Cruisers, Boston Whaler , Buddy Davis,
Cabo Yachts, Century Boats, Egg Harbor, Everglades, Glacier Bay, Grady-White,
Hatteras, Hydra Sports , Mako, Pursuit, Post, Robolo, Topaz, Viking, Wellcraft,
World Cat.
Center Counsel
High speed and spacious decks make these boats extremely popular with weekend
anglers
and
tournament
fisherman.
These
same
attributes
make
these boats
The open
deck
and the console
in the
center
provide
amplealso
space
to maneuver
around the
appealing
to
drug
smugglers
and
human
traffickers.
With
higher
than
normal
theft
losses
boat while fighting fish. They are typically powered by twin outboards, however singles,
triples
quads
are notinuncommon.
These
fiberglassmay
open
fishingboat
boats
are designed
for
this and
class,
especially
South Florida,
underwriters
require
owners
to installand
builtmaintain
to operate
in rough
offshore
waters
pursuit
fish. Rod
holders,
and
a GPS
tracking
device
whichinwill
alert of
theocean
boat owner
if the
boat is outriggers
taken
and fish boxes are common fittings onboard. With top speed around 75 mph, the
without
his permission.
Premium
be available
if a boat
is equipped with such a
tournament
angler can get
to the credit
fishingmay
grounds
before their
competition.
device.
Common Manufactures are: Absolute Power, Blue Water , Boston Whaler , Chris Craft,
Concept, Contender, Deep Impact, Donzi, Fountain , Glasstream, Grady-White,
Hydra Sports , Marlago, Midnight Express, Pursuit, Sailfish, Sonic USA, Wellcraft
Sail - Mono
A single hulled (mono) sailboat which uses wind primarily as its means of propulsion. Most
The
sailboats
is which
starting
to show
its age
with the majority
used
boats
will market
have anfor
auxiliary
engine
makes
for easier
maneuvering,
docking of
and
getting
to
between
15 and when
25 years
boats age, vital components and machinery are
your destination
thereold.
is noAs
wind.
Cruisingtosailboats
have accommodations
for comfortable
cruising,
including a galley,
head
subject
degradation
from normal usage
and the harsh
environment.
It is of athe
and bunks, making them great for overnight trips. The term sailboat covers a wide variety
utmost
importance
toown
askcharacteristics
for a marine and
survey
on In
older
boats
to document
the
of craft,
each with its
styles.
general,
sailboats
are distinguished
current
and value
and
evaluate
A and
rigging
inspection
aloft is
by size,condition
hull configuration,
keel
type,
numbereligibility.
of sails, use
purpose.
Most production
boats
areon
built
of fiberglass,
also
vital
older
sailboats.but it’s not unusual for custom long range cruisers to be built
of aluminum or steel. You will also see older wood, cold molded, and ferro-cement boats.
Common Manufactures are: Alden, Baltic Beneteau, Bristol, C&C, Cal, Cabo Rico, Cape
Dory, Caliber, Catalina, Dufour, Endeavor, Freedom, Hans Christian, Hinckley,
Hunter, Island Packet, Islander, Jeanneau, Morgan, Morris, Oyster,
Pacific Seacraft, Pearson, Sabre, Swan, Tartan, Wyliecat
Sail - Racing
To
save
weight
increase
speed
these
boats
are course,
often built
withsailboats
a marginare
of safety
With
theon
goal
to goand
faster
than the
other
boats
on the
racing
built using
that
at the
low end(Kevlar
of the and
spectrum.
given
that these
boats are
sailed
highistech
materials
CarbonAlso
Fiber),
cutting
edge designs
and
statetooftheir
the limits,
art
itbuilding
is not uncommon
sailsspartan
and equipment
or break
racing.
Racing
sailboats
techniques.forWith
interiors to
to fail
conserve
onwhile
weight,
the ride
may not
be
are
ineligible in
comfortable,
butMHY.
you’ll get there quick. Racing hulls could be mono, cat or trimaran.
Racing sailboats can be identified by;
their make: Archambault, Columbia, Dufour, JBoats, Melges, Santa Cruz, Tboats, X-Yachts
their designer: Andrews, Bill Lee, Farr, Frers, Nelson Marek Peterson, Pedrick, Reichel Pugh, Wylie
their builder: Aquidneck Custom, Carroll Marine, Choate, Dencho, Goetz Custom Boats , Schock
or their class: Farr40, J/35, J/105, 1D35, Open50, RC44, Schock35, TP52
Sail - Multi
Catamaranshave
are sailboats
with two hulls
andthe
Trimarans
have a main
hull and
two amas.
Multihulls
gained popularity
over
years because
of their
stability.
Their
Multi-hulls
have
several
advantages
over
mono-hull
boats.
Their
wide
beam
provides
wide stance provides for little or no heeling, but the lack of heeling makes it
higher stability and eliminate the need for a ballast keel. With less weight and hull shapes
difficult to tell when the boat is being overpowered. The multihull sailor needs to
that create less drag through the water, multi-hulls are faster than mono-hulls under
always
be on theWithout
lookoutthe
forneed
changing
weather
be ready
to ashorten
sailwhich
similar conditions.
for a ballast
keel,and
multi-hulls
have
less draft,
when
winds
pick up.
Modern multihulls
not
self-righting
and canbuoyant
capsize
allows the
them
to navigate
in shallower
waterways.are
Most
multi-hulls
are positively
but
sink;
instead boats
they float
upside-down,
and they
manydon't
modern
production
are officially
rated as providing
unsinkablea
. raft
The for
widethe
beam
also creates
lot of on
room
interior
also cause to
problems
when
survivors
toahang
to.for
With
wideaccommodations,
beam, they canbut
becan
susceptible
damage
in
dockingweather
in a narrow
Although
theare
highoften
stability
makeslong
it difficult
to capsize
a multiheavy
andslip.
because
they
cruised
distances
– they
tend to
hull, ithigher
also makes
difficult to right
if they do.
have
claimit frequency
and them
severity.
Common Manufactures are: Antares, Catri, Gemini, Gunboat, Corsair, Hobie,
Leopard, LeBreton, Seawind
Multi - Hull Power
Catamarans
are theofmost
popular vessel
multi-hull
powerboats.
Theyespecially
are stable,when
fuel-efficient
and
The wide beam
a multihull
is often
an issue,
docking.
excellent for long-range cruising and island hopping. Most are powered by diesel inboard
They are
expensive
to produce
and repair
than
a monohull
the same
engines
andalso
offermore
recreational
and cruising
amenities
with lots
of deck
space forofsunning.
A
multi-hull
is
also
a
good
platform
for
electric
and
hybrid
drives.
length. Like Multi-Sail, with a wide beam, they can be susceptible to damage in
heavy weather and because they are often cruised long distances - higher
Glacial Bay and World Cat produce multi-hulled powerboats with twin outboards that are built
frequency
and
comes
into play.to center consoles. These catamarans are
for
fishing and
areseverity
offered as
an alternative
designed for hardcore angling, and should be rated as Sportfish.
Common Manufactures are: Afri-Cat, Aspen, Cruiser Cats, Freeman, M2 Motoryachts,
R&C Leopard, PDQ, Twin Vee. Hybrid Builders: Island Pilot DSe, Stability Yachts
Houseboat
Because of their low freeboard, large sliding doors and large windows, houseboats may not
be operated in coastal waters. Older houseboats with steel or aluminum hulls will require an
Designed
to offer
lakeofhouse
living on
thespecial
water,attention
completeneeds
with spacious
floor
plans
and
audio gauge
as part
their survey,
and
to be paid
to the
condition
modern
amenities
for entertaining,
dining andcan
sleeping.
Houseboats
made exits
for relaxing
of the rubber
I/O bellows.
Carbon Monoxide
be a significant
risk,are
exhaust
need to
cruises, weekend getaways to boating destinations, and unlimited family boating fun.
be evaluated
and
COsuited
detectors
mustrivers
be installed
andHouseboats
working. Docking
a large
houseboat
Houseboats
are
best
for calm
and lakes.
are built
with steel,
in the windorcan
be challenging.
is important
to evaluate
the experience
the outboard
owner, and
aluminum
fiberglass
hulls and Itrange
in size from
25’ to 125’.
They mayofhave
or
I/O
propulsion.
boats
over 50’ require twin engines. If not, submit for consideration.
Common Manufactures are: Catamaran Cruisers, Gibson, Holiday Mansion, Sumerset,
Three Buoys. A listing of past and present Manufactures can also be found at
All About Houseboats
House on Boat or Barge
aka
Floating
Homes,
this capable
type is pretty
self explanatory.
These
homes
are builtcapability,
on steel, foam,
Floating
homes
are not
of independent
movement,
have
no steering
no
fiberglass
or concrete
andown
many
homes
thenot
Northwest
are built on logpurposes.
rafts.
ability to generate
or barges,
store their
power
andinare
used for transportation
As
these homes are not built to be a mode of transportation, they are not eligible for coverage
under Markel Helmsman Yacht program.
Homemade / Kit
Many
boat designers
andcan
boatvary
builders
offerinplans
and kits for
people
who are looking
Homebuilt
/ kit boats
greatly
construction
quality
depending
on theto save
money, meet specific needs or just have a dream to build their own boat. Kits are available
builder’s
skills to
and
abilities.
ForConstruction
instance, acould
builder
who is a master
carpenter may
for
10’ rowboats
60’+
trawlers.
be fiberglass,
wood, wood/epoxy,
steel,
aluminum,
ferro-cement
(although
this type
notit as
as it was that
30
only haveand
basic
knowledge
of electrical
andconstruction
plumbing. isSo
is popular
very important
years
ago).surveyor
Some amateurs
will
buy
a pre-built/ hull
and complete
the
boat,
while
others
will
a
marine
inspect
the
homemade
kit
boat
to
insure
that
the
boat
is
built
start with only the paper plans. Homemade boats will usually have a state assigned hull
to the accepted
industry
standards
(preferably
at various
construction).
number.
Such HINs
begin with
a state/province
abbreviation
(saystages
FL for of
Florida)
followed by
a "Z". the last two numbers indicate the model year, e.g. FLZXXXXXXX82.
Kits and plans are available from: Branson, Bruce Roberts, Chesapeake Light Craft,
Clark Craft, Dudley Dix, Glen-L, John G. Alden, Metal Boat Kits, Robert Perry, Stillwater
Inflatable
Lightweight boats with Hypalon or PVC fabric tubes inflated with air. They may have soft
fabric bottoms or rigid fiberglass hulls (RIBs). They range in size from 8-foot dinghies to 45+foot high performance boats. Depending on their size, propulsion can be outboard, I/O, jet
drive or manual. Speed will vary with boat length and HP. Due to their speed, portability and
weight, inflatable boats are used in diverse roles including fishing, watersports, whitewater,
and tenders.
Common Manufactures are: AB, Achilles, Amanzi, Aquascan, Avon, Bombard, Brig,
Mercury, Nautica, Novurania Porta-Bote, Sea Eagle, SeaWolf, Sport Cat, ThrillSeeker,
Quicksilver, Zodiac
Tenders
AToTender
any
auxiliary
otherboat
than
a personal
mainwhile
purpose
qualifyisas
a tender
in watercraft,
MHY, the small
must
be ablewatercraft,
to be storedwhose
on board
the is
to
service
the
insured
yacht
for
purposes
of
delivering
supplies
or
ferrying
passengers
to
insured yacht is under way. The biggest risks to a tender are theft, loss or damage whileand
from shore. They are usually propelled by an outboard motor, but can use oars as a back-up.
towed
and storm
damage.
Most
tenders
are 10
to 12 feet in length, but larger yachts will have larger tenders. Inflatable
boats and RIBs are probably the most popular tenders, but “hard hulled” tenders made of
wood or fiberglass are not uncommon. Hard hulled tenders have a classic appeal, are easier
to row than an inflatable, also many can be rigged with a sail. Tenders are usually stored on
deck or on davits off the yachts transom. Larger yachts may have a “Tender Garage”
Common Manufactures (not already listed on Inflatable) are: Aquariva, Bauer, Dyer,
Fatty Knees, Livingston, Pavo Porta-bote, Puffin, Trinka, Walker Bay, Whitehall
High Performance
High gasoline prices and an aging demographic have made HP boats less popular than
they were in the
past,
there
still are designed
plenty of folks
who
likewhile
to go getting
fast. from one
Performance
boats
arealthough
high-speed
machines
to look
good
place to another fast. Designed for racing and poker runs, performance boats are owned by
boaters
a “need
for speed”.
Hulls can
be deep-v
with multi-stepped
Just likewith
in other
classes,
underwriters
should
look forora catamaran
logical progression
in boat type,
composite
fiberglass,
Kevlar
or
carbon
fiber
construction.
HP
boats
are
generally
powered
with
length
and
speed.
Underwriters
must
evaluate
this
class
carefully
as
deception
for
personal
twin or triple supercharged gasoline engines connected to high performance I/O or jet drives,
gainboat
is much
more
prevalent.
As to
thehorsepower.
engines andHigh
drives
are very desirable
bymay
badbe
guys,
and
speed
is directly
related
horsepower
outboards
found
on
smaller
catamarans.
theft
is alsoboats
muchand
more
common.
Common Manufactures are: Active Thunder, Advantage, Apache, Baja, Black Thunder,
Checkmate, Cigarette, Cougar, DCB, Donzi, Eliminator, Formula, Fountain, Hallett,
Hustler, IMP, Mirage, Motion, MTI, Nordic, Nor-Tech, Outerlimits, Shockwave, Skater,
Sonic, Sunsation, Vecity, Wellcraft Scarab.
Other
Some watercraft don’t fit well into any classification and underwriters should be
consulted before you offer an indication, they may not be insurable.
?
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