One of the most unnoticed areas on a yacht is the lazarette. As a former crew member aboard yachts, I spent plenty of time in the aft section, known as the laz for short. The laz serves many functions but is not easily spotted by charter guests or business associates. Here is what you need to know about the lazarette on a yacht.
What Is The Functionality Of A Yacht Lazarette
The laz of a boat serves multiple functions, and interestingly, they often house extendable platforms to create additional space and boarding areas. Here is the primary functionality of the lazarette.
Steering Gear
The steering gear is critical to yacht maneuvering because it controls the motion of the rudders from the helm stations.
In many cases, the steering gear is contained within the laz. With that said, you will find the steering pumps and shaft, which turn the rudder. The combination of the two takes up a significant amount of space in a typically confined area.
Water Toys
As a crew member on private yachts, we stowed a rigid inflatable boat called a RIB in the laz when we were traveling from destination to destination. A RIB is used as a yacht tender.
A door on the port side of the vessel would open, allowing a crane to extend over the water and lift the boat. Once the boat was lifted, the crane would retract.
Keep in mind it holds more than ribs. Don’t be surprised to find jet skis, paddle boards, kayaks, and more within the laz. Importantly, each has a rack specially designed to hold the water toy in place during transit.
Shore Power
Without question yachts are capable of generating power by use of a generator. However, when dockside, most yacht captains and engineers elect to use shore power.
Shore power is delivered from a dock pedestal into the boat via large cables. Rather than running the generator, the boat is powered silently from shore power.
The laz is typically equipped with shore power receptacles. The receptacles similar to the steering, is bulky. However, the shore power components are typically hidden behind a door within the lazarette.
Where Is The Lazarette Located
The laz is positioned in a location that is hard to spot by the naked eye. Interstingly, crew and guests are walking about the aft deck, unbeknownst to them that the laz is beneath their feet.
In most cases, the entranceway is positioned on the swim platform. The entryway hatch is opened by rotating a wheel before it swings or slides to the side.
However, on small yachts, the entranceway is not nearly as visible. Often, it requires you to use hydraulics arms to lift the stern of the vessel, exposing the laz beneath. With that said, don’t be surprised if waves make their way in because it lacks a swim platform aft of the entrance. Instead, it is the top of the hull on the transom.
No matter the location, the key is to utilize the space. There is no sense in stacking up water toys or other yacht essentials in areas with heavy foot traffic. In a lazarette, everything has a home.
Drawbacks Of A Yacht Lazarette
With the positive comes negatives. A lazarette has more positives than negatives, but it is important to understand the space from all angles.
Ability To Move Freely
It should be mentioned that the space available within the laz is highly dependent on the size of the yacht.
Unfortunately, despite working aboard a 172-foot and 168-foot Feadship, the overhead was lower than my height, and I am only 5’3”. Limited headroom presents a challenge when retrieving water toys.
Cleaning The Space
Consider that gear is constantly being moved from a salt and sand environment; therefore, it’s easy to track unwanted debris in the space.
In order to prevent the decks within the laz from being coated in sand and salt, it is essential to wash and dry all items before stowing.
No matter what, dirt and debris will make its way in. For this reason, washing the floors inside of the laz is necessary on a routine basis.
As a former captain working aboard yachts, I can tell you that everything remains spotless. Crew members are meticulous, as every square inch of the boat is scrutinized with a microscope.
A Lazarette Is An Intricate Part Of Yacht Operations
I can tell you firsthand that I spent a significant amount of time working in the laz during my time aboard yachts. Again, the space is highly useful and is critical for the storage of water toys when they are not in use. When you’re walking docks in marinas with yachts, try to catch a glimpse inside of a lazarette.
