A racing sailing-yacht is a sailboat over 15 meters long and custom-built for a specific set of circumstances.
Racing sailing-yachts are designed for regattas or ocean sailing races. Depending on the rules of the race, they can be one-offs built according to a measurement formula or one of a series of identical boats.
The racing sailing-yacht uses high-performance materials, including carbon fiber and specialty fabrics, in its hull, rigging and sails. The goal is to achieve the best performance-to-weight ratio. It often carries a large crew to handle the enormous sails. However, there also exist offshore single-handed races, the 60-foot class, for example.
Measurement rules will determine the parameters of the boat's dimensions, often in the form of "box rules." Some racing sailing-yachts can be converted to racer-cruisers for rapid offshore passages.
