Yacht tracking API: filter by Type, Size and Flag

A Yacht Tracking API is not just about seeing where yachts are located on a map. The real value comes from filtering, structuring, and working with yacht AIS data in a way that’s actually usable for maritime platforms, fleet monitoring, marina operations, and vessel intelligence tools.

When working with global AIS vessel data, searching for “yachts” alone usually creates noisy results. A proper Yacht Tracking API makes it possible to filter vessels by yacht type, size, flag, AIS activity, and other vessel characteristics to build cleaner and more reliable yacht datasets.

What’s considered a “Yacht” in AIS data?

In AIS datasets, yachts are not always labeled simply as “yacht.”

They usually fall under broader categories like:

• Pleasure Craft
• Sailing Vessel
• Passenger (for luxury yachts)

So instead of relying on a single label, you filter using combinations of:

• type
• type_specific

Filtering API call by Vessel Type:

The first step is defining what “yacht” means in your dataset.

With the Vessel Finder endpoint, you can filter using:

• type= Passenger
• type_specific= Pleasure Craft

Or combine multiple queries depending on how broad you want to go.

Example request

This will return vessels classified as leisure or private boats.

Filtering API call by Vessel Size:

Not all yachts are equal. A 12-meter sailing boat and a 120-meter superyacht are completely different datasets.

You can filter using:

• length_min / length_max
• gross_tonnage_min / gross_tonnage_max
• deadweight_min / deadweight_max

Example: Superyachts only

This filters yachts above 60 meters, typically considered large or superyachts.

Combining Filters in One API Request:

This is where the Yacht Tracking API becomes really powerful.

You can combine all filters into a single query.

Example: Maltese superyachts above 60m

This gives you a highly targeted dataset:

• only yachts
• only large ones
• only specific flag

Handling Large Result Sets (Pagination)

When filtering broadly, you might get thousands of vessels.

The API returns up to 500 results per request. To get more, use the next parameter from the response.

Example response meta

This ensures you can iterate through the full dataset without missing vessels.

Yacht Tracking API Database Coverage:

One of the biggest challenges with any yachts tracking API is data consistency.

Many yacht tracking platforms only provide partial vessel records, outdated AIS positions, or limited coverage for private and leisure vessels.

A reliable Yacht Tracking API gives access to a large global yacht database with AIS-linked vessel information, including:

• yacht positions and movement history
• MMSI and IMO identifiers when available
• yacht specifications such as length, gross tonnage, build year, and vessel type
• worldwide flag and registry coverage
• real-time and historical AIS tracking data for yachts

Yacht Tracking API JSON, CSV, and Data Access Options:

Once yacht data is filtered, it can be exported, processed, and integrated into existing business systems with minimal setup.

Because the Yacht Finder API returns structured JSON data, developers can easily:

• convert yacht tracking data into spreadsheets
• store AIS vessel records in databases
• connect yacht tracking feeds to Power BI and BI dashboards. Check our tutorial on how to connect the API to Power BI.
• integrate real-time yacht tracking into custom applications and maritime software

For companies working with yacht intelligence, marina operations, luxury vessel monitoring, or maritime analytics, API accessibility and clean structured yacht data are critical for scalable integrations.

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