Flybridge yachts are motor yachts with an open upper deck above the main saloon, fitted with a helm station, seating, and outdoor living space — the flybridge. The configuration is the most widely produced layout in the 10–25 metre motor yacht segment and is particularly common in Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern markets where warm weather makes outdoor deck use a priority for most of the season.
The flybridge provides an elevated helm position with good all-round visibility, and functions simultaneously as a social deck: dining areas, sunbeds, wet bars, and on larger yachts, a jacuzzi are standard fitments. The trade-off relative to enclosed or sportbridge designs is weight and windage aloft — the flybridge structure adds top weight, which raises the centre of gravity and increases superstructure windage, affecting both stability and fuel consumption compared with equivalent-length yachts without an upper deck. At the same length, flybridge yachts typically have more interior volume and deck space than hardtop or open designs, which justifies the compromise for owners prioritising living space.
Hulls are GRP, produced using sandwich laminate and vacuum infusion; the superstructure including the flybridge is manufactured separately and joined at the deck. Inboard diesel engines with shaft drives are the traditional propulsion choice on larger examples; pod drives with joystick control are widely specified on mid-size flybridge yachts where ease of docking is a priority. Twin engines are standard across the size range above approximately 12 metres.
